Career Decision-Making: Choosing Your Path in Life, Learning, and Work

Every day you make decisions, what to wear, who to text, what to focus on. But some decisions significantly shape your future, like deciding what to study, what job to apply for, and whether or not to change your current trajectory. 

When making decisions about your future, in particular career decisions, it isn't as simple as just choosing something, it’s about choosing well. Good decisions consider who you are, what you value, and what the world needs.

What Is Career Decision-Making? 

Career decision-making is the process of making choices about your learning, work, and life direction. It involves exploring options, clarifying what matters, evaluating risks, and managing influences from within and around you. 

But here’s the tricky part: Humans aren’t purely logical. We’re influenced by emotions, biases, intuition, impulses, and other factors such as habits, culture, family, fear of failure, and even tiredness. Therefore, when making big life decisions, time and space is needed to make informed career choices.

Why Career Decisions Matter

Making impulsive career decisions can lead to future confusion or unsureness. But when you make informed choices, you gain clarity, confidence, and flexibility. You’re better able to plan and pivot when life changes. Informed choices can support satisfaction, motivation, and career development engagement.

3 Ways to Make Informed Decisions

Whether you’re deciding what to study, what career you wish to pursue, or whether to take a job offer, these activity prompts can help.

1. Spot Hidden Biases and Influences

We all have blind spots. Biases such as confirmation bias and sunk cost fallacy, and influences such as fear of missing out can cloud judgment.

Try this: Next time you’re weighing a big choice, ask yourself...

• Am I choosing this because it excites me, or because I think I should? 

• Am I only paying attention to information that confirms what I already think?

• Am I afraid to change my mind because of what I’ve already invested?

Gain a fresh perspective: Talk to someone outside your usual circle of connections to help you spot hidden biases and what influences you.

Bonus tip: Good decisions are a mix of facts and feelings. It’s okay to trust your gut but check it against the evidence. 

2. Remember What Matters Most to You

Knowing what you value helps you make decisions. When your choices line up with your values, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled. 

Try this: List 3 things that matter most to you when choosing a career. For example: creativity, job security, helping others, work-life balance, adventure. Then ask: Which of my options aligns best with these? Is there a compromise or combination that works?

Still not sure? Flip it: Think of a time you felt unhappy or unmotivated. What value was missing?

Bonus tip: Stuck between two good choices? Think about the person you want to be and the experiences you want to have and create reasons for making a decision. To learn about this approach, watch: How to make hard choices.

3. Make a Flexible Plan

Making a decision doesn’t mean locking yourself into one path forever. It’s okay to start somewhere and adjust as you grow. The key is to stay informed and open-minded. It is also important to prepare for unexpected change.

Try this: Use the “Plan A / Plan B / Plan Z” approach: 

• Plan A = Identify your ideal path (your dream career) 

• Plan B = Clarify a realistic backup that aligns with your interests and/or skills

• Plan Z = Plan a safety net, something you can fall back on in response to unexpected change (e.g. savings, temporary or part-time work, moving in with family, retraining, or a gap year).

  
  

Then ask yourself: 

• What study or training does each plan need? 

• What other requirements might be needed (e.g. licenses, experience)? 

• How are industries and job markets shifting? 

  
  

Use key resources: Use career platforms like Tahatū Career Navigator to check required qualifications (always check when information was last updated).

What If You Feel Confused or Stuck? 

It’s normal to feel confused or stuck—Trajectories is here to help! We understand time and space is needed to make decisions that can help you positively shape your future.  

Here’s what you can do: 

• Talk to someone who's made a similar choice. 

• Complete the career choice readiness quiz at www.trajectories.nz (take note of tough questions; these can give you clues about what you need to do next).

• Remember, not deciding is also a decision. A gap year can be an intentional choice to gain experience and insight to support informed career choices.

• Connect with Trajectories to help you make an informed choice.

  
  

In Summary: What’s important to remember? 

Time and space are often required for informed career choices. Awareness of your decision-making biases, values, and influences is a good first step. But you will also need to spend time delving into your personal insight and opportunity-awareness so you can make informed, meaningful career choices.

Start with curiosity. Reflect on what matters. Then act—even if it’s just one small step.