Making sound career decisions

Decisions, whether sound or not are made by everybody some time or the other. And decisions with regard to career selection are no exception. It is essential that their importance and implications are understood together with the basis on which they should be arrived at and the reasons for their going wrong.

What does a decision for career selection mean? Every decision is required to be made within certain parameters and strictures. Such parameters are nothing but facts, options, standards and priorities that prevail at that particular time. Yet, there is a tendency to not accord due consideration to available facts and figures because acquiring such information is time-consuming. The restriction imposed by non-availability of adequate time is thus genuine. And if one does not make reasonable efforts, it is because there are far too many people involved in the decision-making loop, limited resources available and priorities that one accords to issues. But since decisions cannot be avoided, all uncertainties and ambiguities that exist prove to be the biggest roadblocks to decision making. In the light of the foregoing, when a decision is questioned or put to test, it is because it not being based on facts. The decisions are thus delayed or not made. And that is the very cause why insecurity and uncertainty comes up. Apprehensions thus persist in minds.  

What is the quantum of information that should form the basis of decision-making? A reasonable sound decision can be arrived at with a reasonable quantity of information. However, people have a tendency to overload themselves with information, thereby creating functional difficulties. Because you have to sift more information, the time taken to arrive at a decision will obviously be more and there is every possibility of some information being disregarded. And delayed decisions make them lose out on their worth. It should be understood that different individuals have capabilities to handle information differently. All information needs to be evaluated for its value and it is not necessary to evaluate it in the order of its receipt. Any failure to adhere to this tenet will lead to mental fatigue, which again will cause some information to be overlooked.

Why is decision-making important? If a person is required to urgently buy anything, there will be stipulations of choice, cost and availability. Under such circumstances, the endeavour will be to select the best item from amongst many that are available. The decision plan is essentially intended to select the best option from amongst different alternatives available at that juncture and place. Obviously, this quandary is a result of the non-availability of items of the same category, decision arrived at by the person selling them. So, herein lies the criticality of the decision-making process. And if that be so, it is also equally critical in the process of career selection and career advancement. Considering this, career decision-making needs to be very prudent. That is precisely why career aptitude tests are conducted so that an individual’s potential is identified. If this is not done, career advancement is likely to take a beating. There could be adverse effects on one’s health too.

Why do career decisions go wrong? There are three basic reasons that bring about wrong career decisions:

· Information deficiency: If adequate information or data is not available, selecting a correct career can turn out to be a stumbling block at the very outset itself. The world at large is relatively unknown to a majority of the youth who reside in small cities. A very distorted and prejudiced portrait of what is transpiring in the current era is available to them, as a result the character and coincident eminence of the career intended to be joined are never discerned by them. Unrealizable aspirations follow and eventually become a cause of torment.

· Unwillingness: There have been many instances when apt individuals could not continue in good jobs or lost out on offers because of a disposition of reluctance, disinclination or even aversion towards them. For example, it is a known fact that very few boys and girls prefer to work in field or in harsh conditions and cannot ever reconcile to the idea of doing so. Perks and remunerations hold out no meaning for them. This readiness deficit could well be inborn or stimulated.

· Absence of motivation: In a large number of cases, people have to be goaded to get work out of them, whether they are adept to do so or not being of no consequence. This inspiration or enthusiasm turns out to be a very intense component of career choice and development. People who are introverted and diffident invariably lose out on being motivated or taking lessons on it. They, more often than not are 'my horse also ran' types. The decision to select a particular career has to be necessarily well thought-out. It is out of question to even think of it without knowing what you are cut out for. If you are not aware of this crucial aspect, the future will be as uncertain and unstable as ever.

A career is something that you do not change at the drop of a hat. Deciding on what is the best option is thus a very important activity. Remember that it does not take much strength to do any work, but it requires great strength to decide on what work to do!