Module 02: Research and Exploration
Decision-Making
Now that you have gathered information about a prospective career, you might be ready to make some decisions about which steps to take next. For many people, making decisions is difficult. It means giving up options and worrying about alternative roads not taken.
Your Turn!
Let’s start by reflecting upon how you made past career decisions. Some people tend to make decisions on a whim while others spend considerable time researching possibilities.
Use these questions to guide your reflection on past decisions:
- How have you made past career decisions?
- What did you consider?
- Who influenced your decisions?
- What approach did you take?
- In what ways has your approach to your career decisions been effective?
- What have you learned about making career decisions differently in the future?
- What do you need to do to make these changes?
Example:
| Decision-Making Self Assessment Question | Sample Answer |
|---|---|
| How have you made past career decisions? | I decided on my program because I did a co-op once in high school, in a childcare setting, and liked it so I thought Early Childhood Education would be a good fit. |
| In what ways has your approach to your career decisions been effective? | I knew I was going into a field that I enjoyed because I had experience in the field which helped me see it from the inside. |
| What have you learned about how you might want to approach career decisions differently in the future? | Well, other than doing a co-op in high school, I didn’t do additional research: for example, what salary could I make and whether there are jobs out there. I didn’t look at any other programs. So, the next time I need to make a career decision, I’ll do a bit more research and make sure to look at a few more options. |
| What would you need to do to make these changes? | I would consult online resources for finding salary and labor market info. I would do more brainstorming and searching for related occupations. Also, I’d talk to people who work in the fields I’m considering. |
We often think about a career decision as a one-time, huge decision. In reality, we make career decisions all the time with a lot of opportunity to adjust and adapt as we learn more about ourselves and the world of work.
Some decisions you may currently be considering, include:
- Should I pursue further education?
- Which program should I choose?
- What career area or occupation do I want to pursue?
- What industry and job title would best suit me?
Decision Making Matrix Exercise
Use the chart below to guide your career decision making process. The factors listed could be replaced with other, more important considerations, such as income, prestige, length of education/training and so forth.
- List between 3-5 career options (these could be programs, career paths, specific jobs, etc.) of interest that you have been researching,
- Look at the 5 factors below and after carefully researching each factor, assign a number on a scale from 1 to 10.
- Going through this process may help clarify the option that is best for you right now.
- Pay special attention to the option with the highest score. However, you may decide that a particular option feels like a better fit, regardless of the score.
| Table 2.1 Decision Making Matrix | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation
/Factor |
Labor Market /Job Search |
Day-to-Day Job Reality | Lifestyle | Qualifications | Fit with self | Total |
| 1-Poor work prospects
10-Lots of job opportunities |
1 – This job doesn’t suit me
10- Extremely suitable job |
1-Doesn’t fit with my lifestyle
10-Good fit |
1-I don’t have any related skills or experience
10- I have all the skills and experience necessary |
1- Poor fit with my interests & values
10 – Excellent fit! |
||
| Option 1 | ||||||
| Option 2 | ||||||
| Option 3 | ||||||
| Table 2.1 Decision Making Matrix | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation /Factor |
Labor Market /Job Search |
Day-to-Day Job Reality | Lifestyle | Qualifications | Fit with self | Total |
| Option 1 | ||||||
| Option 2 | ||||||
| Option 3 | ||||||
Decision Making Matrix Exercise
After you calculate your totals, consider whether:
- The final results make sense?
- Do the scores reflect your feelings about your potential career path?
Sometimes you will need to do more research in a specific area to explore various other possibilities.
You should also test the “winning” occupation:
Take a moment and close your eyes. Imagine yourself working in your chosen profession job.
- Where are you?
- What are you doing?
- Who are you with?
- What are you wearing?
- Do you like what you see?
Jane Career’s Decision Making Matrix Example
Jane is talking to a prospective student who is curious to know how she made her decision to go into Office Administration.
Here are all of Jane’s options with her score totals. Office Administration received the highest score with 39 points, Vet Technician was next with 31 points and Environmental Technician was last with 28 points.
| Table 2.1 Decision Making Matrix | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation /Factor |
Labor Market /Job Search |
Day-to-Day Job Reality | Lifestyle | Qualifications | Fit with self | Total |
| 1-Poor work prospects
10-Lots of job opportunities |
1 – This job doesn’t suit me
10- Extremely suitable job |
1-Doesn’t fit with my lifestyle
10-Good fit |
1-I don’t have any related skills or experience
10- I have all the skills and experience necessary |
1- Poor fit with my interests & values
10 – Excellent fit! |
||
| Vet Technician | 8 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 31 |
| Environmental Technician | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 28 |
| Office Administration | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 39 |
How to Make Quick Decisions
(2020). How to make faster decisions. The Way We Work, a TED series. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTIUiN6inIQ.
In a world of endless reviews and options, it’s easy to become paralyzed by indecision. Investor and writer Patrick McGinnis shares the dangers of “FOBO” — the fear of better options — and how to overcome it.
