Using a Decision-Making Model for a Career Change
This reflection paper documents how one individual applied the "Assess-Explore-Decide-Act" decision-making model to a significant career crossroads: whether to leave a Navy career in pursuit of a business management role at a multinational firm or to remain in military service. Drawing on Parsons' foundational framework for vocational choice, the paper walks through each step of the model — self-assessment, option exploration, evidence-based decision, and action planning — ultimately identifying a third path: leveraging Navy educational assistance programs to earn a postgraduate management degree before transitioning to a civilian career. The paper illustrates how structured decision-making prevents hasty choices and reveals overlooked alternatives.
- Introduction: Decisions and Their Consequences: Career choices and the Navy dilemma introduced
- Selecting a Decision-Making Model: Rationale for choosing the Assess-Explore-Decide-Act model
- Step One: Assessing Career Outcomes and Self: Self-assessment of goals, strengths, and qualifications
- Step Two: Exploring Available Options: Identifying Navy and business management career paths
- Step Three: Weighing the Evidence and Deciding: Comparing options on compensation, travel, and finances
- Step Four: Acting on the Decision: Discovering a third path using Navy education programs
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper seamlessly integrates a theoretical framework (the Assess-Explore-Decide-Act model) with a personal narrative, grounding abstract steps in concrete, relatable life circumstances.
- It uses Parsons' foundational career counseling principle as academic support, demonstrating that personal reflection can still be anchored in scholarly literature.
- The paper honestly acknowledges a logical gap — the failure to identify a third option — which adds credibility and shows genuine critical thinking rather than a tidy, forced conclusion.
Key academic technique demonstrated
This paper demonstrates the technique of applied reflection: taking a recognized academic or professional model and systematically applying each step to a real situation, then evaluating outcomes. Rather than simply describing the model in the abstract, the writer becomes the case study, showing how theory functions in practice. This mirrors the kind of evidence-based reasoning expected in professional and graduate-level reflective writing.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a philosophical framing about decision-making and introduces the personal dilemma. It then justifies the model selected before dedicating one section to each of the four steps. The conclusion does not merely summarize but reveals a new insight — the overlooked third option — making the argument feel earned rather than predetermined. Citations are sparse but appropriately placed to support key claims.
Introduction: Decisions and Their Consequences
An individual's life, it is often said, is nothing but a reflection of the choices that were made. Individuals who make well-considered decisions are more likely to feel content and fulfilled, whereas those who are driven by impulse often end up taking many wrong turns in life. This observation is especially true of decisions made at critical junctures, such as one's choice of career. I recently had occasion to become highly sensitized to this fact when I was faced with a decision pertaining to my current career with the Navy. Although there were several aspects of my Navy service that afforded a feeling of contentment, I had begun to wonder whether I could lead a more fulfilling life through a career in business management at a multinational firm.
Selecting a Decision-Making Model
Since I was acutely aware of the importance of the decision I was about to make, I felt it was only prudent to let my reasoning be guided by a recognized and effective decision-making model. With this in mind, I researched various models and ultimately settled on the "Assess-Explore-Decide-Act" model as the one best suited for my purposes. I chose this particular model because it offered four clear steps designed to bring clarity to career decisions (UNSW, 2004).
I was also well aware that I would need to apply strong critical thinking skills at each stage of the process. As Parsons, one of the founding fathers of the counseling profession, once observed: "In the wise choice of a vocation there are three broad factors: (1) a clear understanding of yourself…; (2) a knowledge of the requirements…of success, advantages and disadvantages…; (3) true reasoning on the relations of these two groups of facts" (Hartung & Blustein, cited in Parsons, 2002).
Step One: Assessing Career Outcomes and Self
Determined to thoroughly analyze my reasoning at each step, I began by assessing the outcomes I desired from a career (UNSW, 2004). I defined my desired outcome as a career in management — ideally with opportunities for global exposure — that would allow me to experience the people and cultures of different parts of the world. In addition, I realized that I wanted a career permitting more of a family life, an area that is significantly constrained by a Navy career.
During this self-assessment phase, I also identified my key strengths: an analytical mind, strong organizational ability, and well-developed interpersonal skills — all well suited for a managerial role. However, I recognized a significant obstacle: I currently held only a high school diploma. This meant I would need to pursue a postgraduate degree in business management before qualifying for a management position at a multinational firm.
References
Hartung, P. J., & Blustein, D. L. (2002). Reason, intuition, and social justice: Elaborating on Parsons' career decision-making model. Journal of Counseling and Development, 80(1), 41+.
UNSW. (2004, April 13). Successful career decision-making. The University of New South Wales. Retrieved June 30, 2004, from http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/planning/decide/
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