After learning about yourself and researching careers, start planning next steps. Decision-making involves choosing an action to solve a problem. Although career decisions can feel overwhelming, remember that daily choices, like restaurant decisions, demonstrate decision-making skills. Use of this seven-step decision-making model offers guidance through the process.
- Identify the decision to be made - exactly what are you trying to decide?
- Know yourself - what are your strengths, weaknesses, skills, values, and interests?
- Identify options - list the various choices you know about so far.
- Gather information and data - about alternatives.
- Evaluate options - what will solve the problem, pros, cons, and risks of each alternative.
- Select the best option - may be necessary to loop back and gather more information.
- Develop a plan of action - and implement it!