from school to work chapter 15 · † developing a career plan will help you succeed in achieving...

Reading Advantage

306

Making Career Decisions

Key Termsdecision-making process

routine decisions

major decisions

career plan

entry-level job

advanced-level job

career ladder

On separate sticky notes, write fi ve reasons why the information in this chapter is important to you. Think about how this information could help you at school, work, or home. As you read the chapter, place the sticky notes on the pages that relate to each reason.

1515Chapter Objectives

After studying this chapter, you will be able to

• explain the decision-making process.

• apply the decision-making process to developing a career plan.

• identify other applications for the decision-making process.

• Using the seven steps of the decision-making process helps you make major decisions carefully and logically.

• Developing a career plan will help you succeed in achieving your career goals.

• A career ladder shows a sequence of related jobs that are avail-able at different educational levels.

• Using decision-making skills can positively affect your personal life, the decisions you make at work, and your purchasing decisions.

Key Concepts

308 Part 3 Career Planning

As Enrico sat at the kitchen table, he shook his head and stared at the blank paper before him. Enrico had an assignment for English class: to write a two-page paper about his career plans.

Seventeen-year-old Enrico never seriously thought about a career for himself. This assignment forced him to sit down and think about his future. Enrico has no idea about what he wants to do after graduation. He wondered if there is some logical way to make such an important decision.

Enrico was right. There is a proven way to make important decisions. It is called the decision-making process. It is a seven-step process for making important decisions carefully and logically.

The Decision-Making ProcessMaking decisions is something you do every day. From the minute

you get up in the morning, you begin making decisions. You decide what to wear, what to eat, and what time to leave for school. These routine decisions are made often. They are so minor you probably do not even know you are making them.

There are other decisions that take a little more thought, such as deciding which movie to see or what music to buy. These decisions usually require some thought but are generally very easy to make.

Then there are the major decisions. Major decisions are the toughest because they guide your career and personal life. Deciding whether to go to college, get married, or buy a car are major decisions. These decisions are signifi cant because they take considerable resources and tend to have long-lasting effects, 15-1.

If you become a manager or supervisor on the job, you will also have major decisions to make. You may need to decide whether to hire or fi re an employee. You may need to decide how to sell and market a new product. These are decisions that not only affect you, but also affect the company and the people with whom you work.

If you make a wrong decision about something that is not very important, the decision normally does not affect your life to any great extent. For example, Bill decided to buy his father a blue shirt for his birthday, but he bought the wrong size. Although Bill made an error, he was able to take the shirt back and exchange it for the right size. A wrong decision was made, but it was corrected with little effort and time.

On the other hand, if you make a wrong decision about something important, the decision may greatly infl uence your life. For example, Diane decided to be a dentist just because her father was one. She went through college and dental school and then realized she had made a big mistake. Being a dentist the rest of her life was the last thing she wanted to do. In fact, she only chose dentistry because she did not take the time to investigate other careers.

Now Diane realizes that teaching art is the career for her, and she wants to return to college for the required degree. Diane spent most of her college years unhappy about her career decision. She wasted

What are some routine decisions you make every day? What major decisions have you made?

Reflect Reflect FurtherFurther

What are the advantages of using the decision-making process to address a complex problem or decision?

Thinking ItThinking ItThroughThrough

Chapter 15 Making Career Decisions 309

thousands of dollars on an education she does not want to use. Now she must work a couple of years as a dentist to pay for her college expenses and a new loan for more education. Diane’s quick career decision infl uenced her a great deal. It caused her much unhappiness as well as future fi nancial problems.

Decision-Making StepsWhen you have major decisions to make,

you need to approach them carefully and logically. The decision-making process helps you do this. There are seven steps to follow when facing big decisions. They are summarized in 15-2 and explained here.

1. Defi ne the problem. The fi rst step is deter-mining what the question or concern is and its importance to your life.

2. Establish goals. Set specifi c goals for yourself. Then identify what you want to accomplish from the decision you will make.

3. Identify resources. Make a list of the resources available to help you reach your goals. Include your human resources (such as aptitudes and abilities) as well as nonhuman resources (such as a car and savings account).

4. Consider the alternatives. Explore all the options open to you, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each. A good way to test alternatives is to ask yourself the following questions: Will this deci-sion have a bad effect on me or anyone else? Will it help me reach my goals? Is it illegal? Will I be happy with it?

5. Make a decision. Choose an alternative that will help you reach your goals. If you have carefully thought through these steps, you will probably be happy with the decision you make.

6. Implement the decision. Put the plan into action.

7. Evaluate the results. Judge how successful your plan was. Did your decision solve the problem or address the question completely? Are your goals being met? Are you satisfi ed with the results of the decision? Evaluating the results of a decision will help improve your future decision-making skills.

15-1Deciding to get a college degree is a major decision because it usually involves considerable time, effort, and money.


Career DecisionsSome of the hardest decisions to make are career

decisions. Many people have no idea what they want to do for a living. They go from job to job and never really think about their future.

Your own career is too important for that. Career decisions are major decisions that infl uence your entire future. They need to be made with careful thought and planning. The work you choose will largely determine the way you live, people you meet, money you earn, and satisfaction you get from life. See 15-3.

You probably know some people who never really made a career decision; they just stayed in the fi rst job

they held. Some took any available job and hoped that it would lead to a fulfi lling career. Some let their parents pick a career for them. Others chose the same career their best friends selected. Do you really think you would be satisfi ed letting someone else make decisions for you and not take the time to make them yourself? With the decision-making process, choosing a career can be easy and a great deal of fun.

Making a Career PlanOnce you know how to make important decisions by using the

decision-making steps, it is time to apply that skill to developing a career plan. What career will be best for you? Before that all-important question can be answered, you must fi rst take a careful self-assessment. This means you need to know the following about yourself:

• interests, aptitudes, and abilities

• strengths and weaknesses

• signifi cant personality traits

15-2These seven steps help you logically analyze life’s major decisions.

Steps in the Decision-Making Process

1. Defi ne the problem or question.

2. Establish goals.

3. Identify resources.

4. Consider alternatives.

5. Make a decision.

6. Implement it.

7. Evaluate results.

Why do you think career decisions are some of the hardest decisions to make?

Reflect Reflect FurtherFurther

15-3Talking with people who work in careers that interest you will help you learn more about specific jobs.


• values

• short- and long-term goals

• resourcesEarlier chapters of the text covered all these

areas to prepare you for the important exercise of making a career decision. The career you choose should use your special strengths and abilities, yet challenge you to develop others. See 15-4.

Especially compare your interests and skills. It is important that they match if you want to be successful in your career plans. It is not critical that they match exactly right now because you have not had enough time to develop all your skills. This is very common for high school students and recent graduates.

You may also have skills that you do not want to build a career around. For example, you may be an excellent fry cook or food server as a result of working in a fast-food restaurant. If you do not want to hold these or similar jobs for the long term, disregard the skills that relate exclusively to them. Concentrate instead on the skills necessary to pursue your desired career.

Once you decide what type of career interests you most, it is important to identify what it will take to fulfi ll that dream. This is called a career plan. A career plan is a list of steps to take to reach a career goal. While a career plan does not assure success, it greatly improves your chances of fi nding jobs that provide happiness and personal fulfi llment. For example, Chris is a junior high school student who wants to become a conservation scientist. Her career plan is shown in 15-5. A career plan analyzes the steps a person will take to achieve the desired career goal. In Chris’s case, for example, she must graduate from college fi rst to be eligible for a job in her chosen career area.

A career plan is sometimes called a career path because it shows the steps that lead to a career goal. A career plan examines the following within each step:

• extracurricular and volunteer activities

• work or job experience

• education and training requirementsNotice how Chris’s career plan states what she will do at each step to

help obtain her career goal. Notice, too, that each level of the career plan builds upon the previous one. As each step is completed, Chris gains increased knowledge and experience. Focusing on your goal will help you determine the best steps for achieving it.

15-4If you have a strong interest in computers, you may be suited to a career in computer engineering or computer software development.

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Extend Your Knowledge

Career PlanningIt is important to determine if the career you are considering is really

what you expect. Examine whether it offers the satisfaction, salary, and benefi ts you want. Many people fi nd that high-salaried jobs do not always provide the total satisfaction they expected. Jobs that pay a bit less often provide more enjoyment and happiness in the long run. As you plan your career, keep in mind what will be most satisfying to you.

15-5A career plan helps you map a path to the achievement of a career goal.

Career Plan for a Conservation Scientist

Extracurricular and Volunteer Activities

Work Experience

Education and Training

During Junior High School

• Help nonprofi t groups and senior citizens with yard upkeep.

• Select life science or environmental themes for fairs and competitive events.

Mow lawns and raise nursery plants for sale during summers.

For optional or extra-credit work, select topics and do projects pertaining to environmental or life sciences.

During High School

• Help waste recycling and land management efforts in the area.

• Assist county conservation programs.

• Attend public meetings on environmental matters.

Work part-time at a tree or plant nursery or in the gardening department of a local store.

Take a college preparatory program emphasizing biology and chemistry.

During College • Help local groups identify and correct environmental problems.

Work part-time at a local conservation reserve, zoo, or botanical garden.

Take a B.S. degree program in the physical or environmental sciences in the preferred fi eld.

After College • Stay involved in local environmental matters and volunteer expertise as needed.

Work full-time as a conservation scientist for the state’s conservation department.

Consider obtaining an advanced degree.


Creating a Career LadderThere is no single route to achieving a career goal. Your resources,

abilities, and values will direct a course that is best for you. When you fi rst begin working full time or join a new employer, you will most likely be assigned to an entry-level job. An entry-level job is work for beginners who lack experience or specialized training. By acquiring special skills, knowledge, and experience, you prepared yourself for an advanced-level job.

Each career is composed of a sequence of related jobs—from entry-level to advanced—that are available at different educational levels. This is known as a career ladder. The example in 15-6 shows a series of job options at different levels for a person preparing to become a conservation scientist. Chris selected some of these jobs for her career plan. Each rung of the ladder presents some job possibilities for that level of education and training. The most complex jobs at the top of the ladder require the most education and training.

Remember, a career plan can be developed for any career goal, and any number of different routes can be used to reach the goal. A career plan is simply a road map to help you get to your destination, but as the driver, you are in charge. Your career plan should be updated every time there is a change in your goals or resources.

Using the Decision-Making ProcessThe decision-making process is a skill you can use throughout your

life for making major decisions. Besides helping you achieve the career of your dreams, it can help with other important considerations in life. Learning decision-making skills can positively affect your personal life, the decisions you make at work, and your purchasing decisions.

15-6A career ladder shows job options for a career goal at different educational levels.

• Urban forestry specialist• Conservation district manager• College botany professor• Forest recreation planner

• Conservation scientist• Soil analyst• Forest nursery supervisor• Forest engineer

• Forester aide• Head greenskeeper• Zoo caretaker• Soil testing assistant

• Conservation reserve assistant• Forest worker• Plant nursery assistant

• Lawn caretaker• Gardening department salesclerk• Independent grower of nursery plants

Career Ladder for a Conservation ScientistAdvancedDegree

Bachelor’sDegree

Advanced Training/Associate Degree

High SchoolDiploma

No High SchoolDiploma

Questions to Discuss

To School or Work?Jerry will graduate from high school

at the end of the year and wants a career in food service. He became interested in food service when he began his work-based learning experience as a cook’s helper in a local restaurant. After four months of work, he now helps the chef develop new recipes. 1. Problem—Jerry must decide what type of

career he wants in food service. He thinks he wants to be a chef, but that requires further training and Jerry wants a break from school. He does not want to spend the rest of his life as a cook’s helper. Jerry wishes he could start being a chef right away.

2. Goals—He made the following list:• to become a successful chef in a large

city restaurant• to work with friendly, creative cowork-

ers and supervisors• to earn a good salary and have job security• to eventually own and manage a fi ne

restaurant 3. Resources—Jerry has these resources:

• knowledge of food service (from class-room work)

• experience as a cook’s helper at a local restaurant

• strong desire to succeed in the food service industry and willingness to work hard

• high school degree with good grades (nearly completed)

4. Alternatives—Jerry researched information on food service careers. He talked with a manager of a fast-food restaurant, two restaurant owners, and a noted chef in a large restaurant. From these conversations, he realized he had three options for pursuing a career as a chef:

• Option 1—to earn a two-year culinary arts degree at a college or culinary institute

• Option 2—to continue working as a cook’s helper while taking food service courses at a community college

• Option 3—to enter a three-year chef apprenticeship program

5. Decision—Jerry chose Option 3 because it would provide chef’s training and on-the-job pay. Most of his training would take place in the commercial kitchen with highly qualifi ed food service professionals. Only a few hours each week would involve classroom instruction.

6. Implementation—Jerry immediately sent for an application and applied for an apprenticeship. He knew it was important to apply early since entry into the program is very competitive.

7. Evaluation—Due to Jerry’s good grades, food service experience, and enthusiasm, he was accepted into an apprenticeship program. From day one of the apprenticeship, he knew it was the right decision. Now Jerry looks forward to completing the apprenticeship and working as a professional chef.

1. How did Jerry’s list of career goals help him make a decision?

2. How did Jerry’s list of resources help him move closer to his career goals?

3. How did research play an important role in Jerry’s decision making?

4. If Jerry had not taken the time to plan his career carefully, what might have been the consequence?

In the Real World

314


Making Personal DecisionsAlong with career decisions, you often need to make major decisions

relating to your personal life. For example, major decisions may involve dating, getting engaged, choosing a marriage partner, or choosing a college. Should you have a family before you establish a career? Should you continue your education after you choose a career? Is marriage part of your future? These decisions have the potential for affecting your entire life. See 15-7.

Some decisions involve your lifestyle and health. These decisions might involve how to fi t exercise into your daily routine or follow a nutritious diet. Relationships with your family, friends, or coworkers often involve decision making. You may want to decide whether or not to confront a friend who shoplifts. Should you buy a house or live in an apartment? There are many important decisions to make in life.

Making Work DecisionsYou make decisions every day at work that can affect you and others.

Sometimes they are simple; at other times they involve gathering facts and making a choice. For example, you may want to strengthen your relationships with your coworkers and improve your job performance. The decision might involve accepting a job promotion or transferring to another department. Asking for a raise, changing your work schedule, or fi nding a new job are other decisions you may need to make.

15-7Many people with happy family lives credit successful careers as a key reason.

Questions to Discuss

What Next for Vic?Vic worked as a welder’s helper since high

school for a small family-owned company whose business was rebuilding heavy vehicle equipment. After Vic graduated, his boss offered him a full-time job with the company and Vic accepted. Within fi ve years, Vic became shop supervisor and was practically running the place.

Then the boss retired, his son became company president, and everything changed. Vic was discouraged because his dream to move up and become part owner of the business seemed gone. With the new boss in charge, a lot of changes occurred. Many employees were fi red and new work policies were posted. Then the boss hired a good friend who had as much experience as Vic. Now Vic was concerned about his future with the company. He no longer felt secure about his job and wondered if he, too, would be replaced. 1. Problem—Vic needs to decide what to do

about his career, particularly his long-term goal of owning and operating his own business.

2. Goals—To help solve his problem, Vic wrote down a list of the things he wants to achieve:• to learn as much as possible about rebuild-

ing and operating heavy vehicle equipment• to feel secure about a job• to make enough money to support a

family comfortably• to own a rebuilding business

3. Resources—Vic also wrote down the resources he has to help him:• eagerness to learn everything about the

heavy equipment rebuilding business• willingness to work hard to succeed• considerable experience in welding

(seven years), heavy equipment work (six years), and supervision (three years)

4. Alternatives—After outlining his goals and resources, Vic outlined his options:

• to continue working for the company and hope the new boss will eventually sell it

• to talk with the new boss about his future with the company and interest in becoming part owner

• to go to college part-time to get a busi-ness degree and continue saving money to start a rebuilding business

• to borrow money to begin or buy a rebuilding business

• to look for a job with another company 5. Decision—After careful thought, Vic chose

two alternatives. He decided to talk with his new boss about his future with the company and his interest in becoming a part owner. By doing this, he would learn what the boss’s plans are for him and if there is any possibility of buying a part of the company. Vic also decided to pursue a business degree part-time and put more money into savings for a future business.

6. Implementation—The following week Vic talked to his boss, enrolled in a business course at the community college, and began a monthly savings plan.

7. Evaluation—Talking to his boss was one of the best decisions Vic ever made. He learned that his boss was very pleased with his work and was planning to give him more responsibility for running the business. His boss even said he might sell the entire company in four or fi ve years, but would defi nitely pay half of Vic’s school expenses for courses that would help him do a better job for the company.

1. How do you think the decision-making process helped Vic make his decisions?

2. How did Vic’s goals help him make his decisions?

3. Do you think Vic made the right decisions at this point in his career? Why?

4. What can you learn from Vic’s experience?

In the Real World

316


Making Consumer DecisionsBecause so many goods and services are available to you as a

consumer, making choices can be diffi cult. Making major purchases, such as a new car or computer, require careful thinking and planning before you buy. You can use the decision-making process to help you make more satisfying choices. See 15-8.

Throughout your life you will make consumer choices about food, clothing, transportation, energy, and housing. You must also make fi nancial decisions about budgeting, saving, or investing. Buying a car is one example of a decision that may affect your life for several years. Should you buy a new car or a used one? For how many years should you make monthly payments? Can you afford the insurance and maintenance costs? The decision-making process is especially helpful when you face important decisions.

How can the decision-making process help family or group decisions, government policy questions, or business matters?

Thinking ItThinking ItThroughThrough

15-8The decision-making process is especially helpful when making an expensive purchase because it forces you to investigate all your alternatives.


You make many types of decisions every day. Some are routine, while others require more thought and time. Major decisions are the hardest to make since they affect your life in many ways. Career decisions are major decisions that require careful thought and planning. They infl uence your entire future.

When making any major decision, you can use the decision-making process to help you sort your thoughts. By following each step of the process, you can determine the best choice and work toward the results you want.

Decision-making skills can be used to develop a career plan. First, you must recognize what you know about yourself. Then you can determine the type of career goal that will satisfy you. A career plan will help you decide how to achieve a chosen career.

The decision-making process is a skill you can use in other areas. When making important decisions, you can use this skill to help manage your life and make better choices.

Summary 1. Why should a person be extra careful when

making major career and personal decisions?

2. List and explain the seven steps to logical decision making.

3. What is the purpose of step three in the decision-making process?

4. What questions can be asked to test the alternatives for solving a problem or making a decision?

5. What is the purpose of the last step in the decision-making process?

6. The career a person chooses can largely determine what four factors?

7. Name two ways some people make career decisions other than using the decision-making process.

8. Name at least four factors that should be considered when taking a self-assessment before making a career decision.

9. True or false. A student’s career plan should never change.

10. Besides career decisions, for what other matters can the decision-making process be used?

Facts in Review


1. Math. Pretend you are making a major pur-chase, such as a car, and apply the decision-making process to this purchase. Research any information you will need to consider, such as cost, insurance, and reliability. Be sure to consider long-term repercussions of your decisions. Record your plan.

2. Language Arts. Use the decision-making process to help narrow your career choices or choose a specifi c career. Describe each factor considered in the decision-making process, including your goals, resources, and alternatives to consider. Prepare an oral or written plan.

Developing YourAcademic Skills

1. Using the computer, make a fl owchart apply-ing the seven steps in the decision-making process to a real-life decision.

2. Using tables in a word processing program, prepare a personal career plan.

Information Technology Applications

1. Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. Apply the decision-making process to a major decision (other than a career decision) you might face within a year or two. Write down the problem, your goals, resources, alternatives, and the decision you would make. What are the pros and cons of using the decision-making process to solve prob-lems and make decisions? Discuss your opinions with the class.

2. Employability and Career Development. Using Internet or print sources, determine today’s average salaries within three career areas that interest you. For each career area, research the different salary levels for four jobs with different educational require-ments—no high school diploma, high school diploma, postsecondary training, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or advanced degree.

Applying YourKnowledge and Skills

Using Internet or print sources, complete an educational and training plan for a career preference. Refer to the Occupational Outlook Handbook as one of your references. Using a word processing program, create two career plans that begin with entry into high school. Chart one career plan through postsecondary education and the other, through a training program. (The plans should resemble 15-5.) Keep these in your personal career fi le as references.

Developing Workplace Skills

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from school to work chapter 15 · † developing a career plan will help you succeed in achieving...

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