Making Career Decisions with Confidence
Approach challenging career decisions with confidence. Become aware of common pitfalls, recognise your decision-making style, and make full use of practical decision-making tools. As a final year student and/or recent graduate in these challenging times, you may feel that you have some big decisions to make:
- Should I pursue further study when I graduate?
- Which course should I choose?
- Should I opt for full-time, part-time or online learning?
- Should I study in September 2020 or later?
- Should I keep my part-time job?
This may be the first time you feel the full weight of an important life decision. When choosing鈥痑n undergraduate degree, you were likely to have consulted your parents, teachers and guidance counsellors and relied heavily on their information and advice. Now that you are graduating, the ball is very much in your court and the options are much wider and less structured.鈥�
It鈥檚 time to make your own decisions and take responsibility for the consequences. This is an important step in becoming a mature, independent adult. You will still consult others, but it鈥檚 better for you if the decision is your own - especially if the decision has long-term consequences.
One thing to know is that you do not have to the make the 鈥減erfect鈥� decision鈥�� not possible in this imperfect world!鈥疻hat is important to make the best possible given all the information that is currently available to you.鈥�鈥�
The resources on the page have been designed to make you feel more confident鈥痓y knowing how to approach the decision-making process&苍产蝉辫;鈥�head on鈥�.鈥�
People can approach decisions in different ways. 鈥痟ave proposed that people tend to choose from one of the following 鈥渟tyles鈥� of decision making:鈥�
- Rational鈥�� A logical and systematic way鈥� of making decisions
- Avoidant鈥�� Avoiding important decisions until the pressure is on鈥�
- Dependent鈥�� Making important decisions by consulting other people鈥�
- Intuitive鈥�� Relying on your own instinct鈥� to make decisions
- Spontaneous鈥�� You tend to make impulsive decisions鈥�
Which鈥痮f these styles sound would you say you tend to use most often?
Our personality and personal preferences are likely to have a major impact on your decision making, as well as other factors including age and social status.
- Will you value logic and reason over a 鈥済ut鈥� feeling that an option just feels right?鈥�
- Will you plan your decision months in advance or leave it until the last minute?鈥�
Becoming aware of how you tend to approach decisions will help you to offset any weaknesses in鈥痽our approach and ensure that you make a balanced decision.鈥�
The Types Dynamics Indicator 鈥� a psychometric personality tool available to UCC students is well worth taking to give you a deeper insight into how you are most likely to approach an important decision.
We recommend that you discuss the findings of the report with a qualified careers consultant at UCC Careers Service.
The first step to becoming more confident in making a career decision is to recognise, and become aware of, the issues that may be holding you back.鈥� Empower yourself with the knowledge of what can go wrong when making decisions 鈥� and how to overcome each potential issue.鈥�
(The following list is adapted from David Winter鈥檚鈥�article鈥�on 鈥�).鈥�
Barriers - Before making the decision:鈥�
- Lack of motivation 鈥�鈥痑re you avoiding to reluctant to engage with this decision? Do you not consider it important? Is it not the right time?鈥�鈥�
- General indecisiveness鈥�擠o you feel indecisive because you are afraid? Afraid of the disapproval of others? Or commitment? Of making a鈥�mistake?鈥�鈥�
- Dysfunctional myths鈥�� Are you worried that you won鈥檛 find the 鈥減erfect鈥� career option? Do you believe that 鈥減erfect鈥� exists? Do you think that this is a 鈥渙nce and for all鈥� choice?鈥�
- Ignorance of the decision-making process鈥�� Do you know what factors to consider or how to analyse information?鈥�
Barriers - While making the decision:鈥�
- Lack of information about yourself鈥�� Have you analysed your abilities, personality and preferences, now and in the future?鈥�鈥�
- Lack of information about options鈥�� Are you aware of your full the range of alternatives and the necessary detail about each? Where can you find these? Who can help?鈥�
- Lack of research knowledge鈥�� Do you know how to find out more about oneself or your options?鈥�鈥�
- Unreliable information鈥�� You may be operating under misapprehensions and misinformation about you and your options? Are your sources accurate and reliable?鈥�
- Internal conflicts 鈥�鈥疉re you struggling with internal conflicts such as an unwillingness to compromise, genuine lack of preference,鈥�particular reservations, dissatisfaction with viable options, unsatisfied requirements, unattainable options, etc.??鈥�
- External conflicts鈥�� Are you in disagreement with influential other people about options or preferences?鈥�
Practical Decision Making Tools
The following decision-making tools will help you with whatever type of decision you need to make. They are designed as self-help resources, so make a start. However, discussion with a UCC Career Consultant or other trusted contact can also help with your progress.
