Embarking on a Journey of Self-Discovery: MYP 4 Careers Programme has started

Contribution by Ms Mirjam de Bruin

Secondary school is an exciting time for students to explore their personal values and develop their sense of self. In February, our MYP 4 classes kicked off their Careers programme with a series of lessons focused on personal exploration. As psychologist Charles Garfield says: “The key to knowing what to do, is knowing who you are”.

Exploring personal values is a critical step for secondary school students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their aspirations. By identifying their personal values, students can develop an inner compass that guides them towards their goals and makes decision-making more straightforward.

Personal values play a significant role in choosing a career as they can help individuals identify what is important to them in their work/study and what they want to achieve. When someone’s values align with their career, they are more likely to find their work/study fulfilling and satisfying.
 
After brainstorming about the types of personal values, MYP4 students thought about the values shown by famous people like Serena Williams, Elon Musk, Greta Thunberg, and Cristiano Ronaldo. It was interesting to see which values they picked for each person. After that, they made a mind map to find their own personal values.

By starting with a personal exploration during the careers programme, students in MYP4 are taking a critical step towards making informed decisions about their future. It is exciting to see these students beginning this journey, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue to explore their values and passions.