Financial literacy is an often-over-looked part of career development, but it plays just as important a role as any other step in a career journey. As career development professionals, we’re all about helping clients and staff reach their full potential, and that includes mastering the art of financial well-being. So, let’s look at how you can seamlessly integrate financial literacy into career development practice, and add yet another valuable resource to your professional toolkit.
Why Financial Literacy Matters
First off, why should we bother with teaching financial literacy alongside career development? Think about it this way; you’ve put a lot of time an effort into getting someone on the right career path for them, but “right” doesn’t necessarily mean the most financially rewarding. Financial stability isn’t just about making more money; it’s about knowing how to manage what you have wisely, and making decisions accordingly. By incorporating financial literacy into what you offer, you’re equipping your clients and staff with the skills they need to thrive, both personally and professionally.
Benefit$
The benefits of integrating financial literacy into career development are massive. For starters, it creates a sense of empowerment. When individuals feel confident in their financial decisions, they’re better equipped to pursue their career goals and make more informed decisions. Also, it promotes long-term success. By mastering financial literacy early on, clients and staff can avoid common pitfalls, and set themselves up for a brighter future.
But perhaps most importantly, it enhances overall well-being. Financial stress can wreak havoc on mental health and job performance. By alleviating this stress through financial literacy skills, we’re promoting a happier, healthier workforce.
Money Habitudes
Money Habitudes is a game-like assessment to help people understand and talk about their finances in an easy, constructive way. It allows people to pinpoint underlying financial habits, attitudes and motivations to understand their relationship with money without focusing on their finances.
So, how do they work? Players are presented with short statements on a deck of cards, that fall under six core money Habitudes. After playing, people easily engage in financial discussions and have instant insight into what motivates and triggers their behaviour. It’s an effective way for people to predict situations that can derail them and plan successful strategies to keep them on track to reach their goals
By starting conversations with these cards, whether in one-on-one sessions or group workshops, individuals gain valuable insights into their money habits, attitudes, and beliefs. It’s like holding up a mirror to their financial selves, allowing them to recognize areas for growth and improvement.
Money Habitudes in Practice
Incorporating Money Habitudes cards into your career development toolkit is a breeze. Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of them:
- Icebreaker Activities: Kick off sessions with a fun icebreaker using Money Habitudes cards to get the conversation flowing.
- Self-Reflection Exercises: Encourage individuals to reflect on their money habits independently using the cards, then discuss their findings together.
- Goal Setting: Use the insights gained from the cards to inform goal-setting exercises, helping individuals align their financial aspirations with their career objectives.
- Group Workshops: Host workshops or seminars centred around money management, using the cards as a focal point for discussion and learning.
By integrating Money Habitudes cards into your practice, you’re not only making financial literacy more accessible but also more engaging and impactful.
Financial literacy isn’t just about numbers; it’s about mindset. By incorporating discussions about money into career development practice, and utilizing tools like Money Habitudes cards, we’re empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures, one card at a time. So, let’s continue to equip our clients and staff with the skills they need to thrive, both in their careers and in their bank accounts.
Brad Whitehorn – BA, CCDP is the Associate Director at CLSR Inc. He was thrown into the career development field headfirst after completing a Communications degree in 2005, and hasn’t looked back! Since then, Brad has worked on the development, implementation and certification for various career and personality assessments (including Personality Dimensions®), making sure that Career Development Practitioners get the right tools to best serve their clients.