Exploring Motivational Factors

Setting the Stage

When you care about the work you do, you will be able to work harder and better. The things that motivate us in our work help us feel satisfied with the work we do. What motivates one person may not motivate another to the same degree (or at all!). However there are some common motivational factors: being appreciated for a job well done, having responsibility, doing fulfilling work, learning new skills, advancement, and personal/professional growth or achievement. Knowing what motivates them will help students identify compatible career opportunities to explore.

Material & Preparation

• This activity should be completed after students have completed a motivational inventory and have discussed the role of motivation from a career development perspective.
• Get Motivated! reproducible [Google doc] [Word doc] [PDF] - 1 per student

What to Do

Teachers should direct students to Let’s Talk Science careers resource. Students will then select two career profiles from a sector or area in which they are interested. Alternatively, teachers could compile a selection of specific profiles for students to use. 

After reviewing their selected profiles, students will use the Get Motivated! Reproducible to identify the motivational factors that are important to these individuals and will consider their own motivational factors in relation to these individuals. 

Teachers could conclude by reviewing the ways in which each of the 5 motivational factors listed in the Reproducible can impact one’s work life and why these may differ from one person to the next. Students could share which of the 5 motivational factors are of most/least importance to them.