making career decisions

Making Career Decisions

Presented to University of Texas – AustinNSBE ChapterMarch 1 2011


Reasons People Have Trouble Making Decisions Fearing failure. Fearing success. Believing that others will always expect

perfection if succeed once. Lacking the ability to set priorities, so I don’t know what to do

first. Not knowing where to get the information I need to help me

decide. Hoping someone else will decide. Having little experience in making decisions and feeling

overwhelmed. Not being willing to sacrifice immediate comfort for the long-

term gain. Fearing others will disapprove of my decision. Thinking, "I can’t do something if no one else that I know is

doing it." Believing my decisions won’t matter.


Steps to Take in Making A Decision

Step 1: Exploration: Identify the problem Define the decision. Clarify the time-line. Identify the conflicts faced.

Step 2: Generating Alternatives Locate the resources needed to explore options Consider options and new alternatives Consider personal values – What is important to

you?



Step 3: Predicting Outcomes Consider both good and bad outcomes associated

with alternatives Consider the probability that a given outcome will

happen Remind yourself that you can only choose an

alternative, not an outcome. Step 4: Selecting an Alternative After examining the outcomes and risks, choose

an alternative Identify the "next steps" to put your decision into

action



Step 5: Re-evaluation (examine the outcome from your decision and decide if you are satisfied)

If so, plan steps to further implement your decision.

If not, examine your options again, and consider changing.

Making Career DecisionsTake Action – Decision Making Models

Pros & Cons Model

On a piece of paper, write down the decision you are considering making. Write it as if you had already made the decision (for example, "Accept the XYZ Company job offer in Los Angeles.")

Divide the piece of paper into two columns, with "Pros" at the top of one column and "Cons" in the other column.

In the course of writing down your pros and cons, you will probably notice that there are some outcomes that are uncertain or are too hard to predict. Write these outcomes down on a separate piece of paper.

Conduct Research about the outcomes that you are unsure about, then add those to the Pro or Con column.


Pros & Cons Model ( continued )

For the outcomes that are simply too hard to predict, you might want to talk with other people to get their input or opinions. If possible, evaluate if the outcome is a pro or con and add that to your table.

As you begin to complete the table, it may become clearer if the decision you are considering is advisable.

Note: Some outcomes carry more weight than others, so the number of pros and cons in each column is not necessarily indicative of whether or not you should move forward with the decision.


Decision-Making Worksheet At the top of the worksheet, list up to three options you are considering

and comparing.

In the left hand column, list up to 10 important values or factors that impact your decision, for example, hours per day, affordable cost, desired location, prestige, time for social life, etc...

In the “Importance of Value” column, rate how important the value is in your decision on a scale of 1-5.

1 = not very important and 5 = absolutely critical

In the “probability” column, rate the likelihood that each option will fulfill each value on a scale of 1-5.

1 = very little chance the value will be fulfilled and 5 = no doubt the value fulfilled.

Multiply the Importance number by the Probability number and enter that into the Subtotal column for each option.

Add the subtotals for each column and enter the amount at the bottom underneath each option.


Decision-Making Worksheet

Compare the totals of each option. Note which option has the highest total.

Some students feel comfortable that the highest score represents their best option. Other students use the worksheet more than once during the decision making process for a number of reasons. For example, they may find that the values they initially used had shifted in priority, or they may add or delete values to their list, which might offer a different set of ratings.

This worksheet will help you summarize many factors that can affect your final decision. Before feeling confident about what choices you will make, you may also want to use additional decision-making models, gather more information, or talk to other people.


Analytical Model

Making Career DecisionsSummary

There isn't necessarily one model or style that is always the right way to make decisions.

And remember, different people are successful and satisfied using different styles. So what works well for your friend may not be the style that works best for you

Remember that you are not alone in the decision-making process.

Ask for help, seek out a career center counselor, a recent graduate, a relative, a friend, a professor or someone who’s opinion you value