Career decision-making table integrating sustainability
Inspiration for the tool
Originally inspired by Sheward and Branch 2012, adapted by Sara Peltola JYU and presented by Miriam Dimsits during a webinar.
Inspired also by the notion of co-benefits, that take into account the simultaneous, systemic, and multidimensional positive effects of an option—rather than reducing it to a logic of trade-offs between individual costs and short-term gains.
Rationale: Why is this needed?
When weighting advantages and disadvantages (“cost-benefits” in the pervasive economical language), career practitioners usually focus on individual levels. This tool introduces the temporal dimension (long term impacts) and broadens the perspective of the reflection (taking into account the impacts on others and on other parts of nature). This is an important step from a strictly liberal and individualistic approach.
Objectives
Participants will be able to
- reflect on the impact of their choices on themselves, on others and on nature
Resources needed
Template:
| Benefits / Gains / Advantages | Costs / Losses / Inconveniences | |
| For me | ||
| For others (family, friends, community…) | ||
| For the planet |
Activities
Guide the client through the reflection on different levels of impact of their choice:
- What are the pros and cons in the short term…
- …for you?
- …for other people?
- …for the planet?
- What are the pros and cons in the long term…
- …for you?
- …for other people?
- …for the planet?
Some clients might be surprised and need time to reflect on some dimensions, so be patient, don’t be afraid to leave moments of silence for them to reflect.
Extension activities
To go further, you can modify this activity, you can use the notion of “co-benefits” to ask questions that lead the client to consider the simultaneous, systemic, and multidimensional positive effects of an option, rather than reducing it to a logic of trade-offs between individual costs and short-term gains. Here are some possible questions based on this logic:
1. On the positive systemic effects (already embedded in the previous parts of the activity)
- How could this option simultaneously meet several of your aspirations (well-being, social utility, stability, alignment with your values, etc. – use the client’s own criteria)?
2. On the dynamics of resonance, interdependence and cooperation
- By choosing this path, what relationships (with oneself, with others, with the world) could be strengthened?
- Does this option open up possibilities for cooperation and synergies with others?
3. On the alternative concept of value/benefits
- How can this decision produce value beyond the financial dimension? (meaning, utility, contribution, sustainability, etc.)
- What types of benefits could this path produce in other spheres of your life than just work?
4. Regeneration rather than optimization
- How is this option seem compatible with taking care of your health, your relationships, or the environment?
Alternative template for evaluating a career option can be elaborated using some of the following criteria, where clients can evaluate the options using a notation (e.g. 1-10) or qualitative evaluation:
| Option 1 | Option 2 | |
| Inner resonance | ||
| Long-term well-being | ||
| Contribution to others | ||
| Environmental/social footprint |
Reflections/Consolidation of learning
- What stands out to you after looking at the short- and long-term impacts for yourself, others, and the planet?
- Were there any surprises? Any areas that were harder to think about? Why do you think that is?
- Do you notice tensions or alignments between what’s good for you and what’s good for others/the environment?
- What part of your reflection feels the most meaningful or important?
Vision and direction
- What kind of world does this choice move you toward — for yourself and for others?
Integration and next steps
- Based on this reflection, what feels like a wise or robust next step?
- What small action could help you move in a direction that’s good for you and the world around you?