How can you as a beginning worker avoid placing values on others? It may help to think about the influences that shaped your values and beliefs.

This will help you to appreciate the fact that people who come from different backgrounds may have values different from your own. Other people feel that their values are "right" just as your values feel "right" to you.

To begin the process of clarifying your values, you might answer these questions:

• What values underlie your desire to help others?

• What social issues do you feel strongly about?

• Which client behaviors would you have trouble accepting?

• Which of your values would you like to change?

• What would you like to accomplish in human services?

• How do you go about solving personal problems?

• Do you readily seek help from others when you need it?