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Monday, September 27, 2010

Great Career Advice: Using Decision Trees to Map-out Your Options

Remember decision trees? Thought you'd never get to use them for yourself. Well, dust off those brain cells and see this great article below, which shows you simple methods to map-out your options for your career - and/or grad school! See:
Decision Tree - Financial Planning
David
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250 comments:

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chris said...

I honestly do not think i am going to analyze my job search that much into detail. Majority of us starting our careers are probably going to be making a base pay regardless of what we do, so i do not see the need for all of the decision tree analysis. It may be very helpful, but i think our brains are rattled enough in school

John Nugent said...

I often go through a similar, less formal process of making many decisions in my life. I did a cost/benefit analysis of going to grad school opposed to entering the workforce, but my process was the same as this decision tree. As far as selecting a career, I have not come to that crossroad in life yet. When I do, I will execute some sort of decision making process weighing the pros and cons; everyone does in some way or another.

JMS45 said...

It's a very good idea to weigh out your options. Great tips! I will attempt to make a decision tree for my next hard to reach decision that comes along.

Michael Wallace said...

This is a theory that is new to me. It does seem to be helpful though. Thinking ahead, in regards to your professional career, can definitely be a successful tool in evaluating career choices. This method SEEMS to be somewhat full proof and may be one that I take into consideration for myself.

Jessica Ledet said...

I find myself thinking about the long run rather than the short run majority of the time, so I like this concept. I think it gets a little too technical though.

Jonathan McDonald said...

OK. I dont think I am going to take this much time to evaluate the company in that much depth, even though I more than likely should. I do alot of thinking of different options but I dont feel I need to take all of these steps.

andrew said...

I was not to thrilled about the article. It seemed like another goal setting activity we have all seen in past years. Although, I did like the part where many people have regrets for jumping into a career to early instead of weighing out their options. This does seem to be a beneficial part of the decision tree.

Alexandra said...

I think it is a good idea to evaluate all your options in job hunting. Hopefully, the process will not be too long.

Nicole Faggard said...

Being a student, I am constantly mapping out my future, especially now that I'm about to graduate. I recently made the decision to further my education in getting my MBA instead of immediately looking for a job. While I'm in the process of finishing up my MBA, I will have more decisions to make about where to start my career. When that time comes around, using a decision making tree will be my first approach.

Sharon said...

I'm in the process of deciding on what road to take as far as my education goes but for different reasons that were mentioned. So I'm not sure if this tree was helpful or not.

pdsmith said...

I agree with Druker that "The best way to predict the future is to create it!"and "The more options you create for yourself, the better the chance of one you really want happening." It is vital to your success to create many options for yourself. If you focus too narrowly then it could be difficult to find work in a tough labor market.

Michaela B. Baker said...

I most likely wouldn’t do the decision tree method, but I do believe in making educated decisions which require an analysis of pros and cons. Even if one job out values another doesn’t mean that it is the better choice. I personally would seek a company that creates a better fit even if it is not the most financially rewarding. That should be part of the analysis as well.

Brenda Brown said...

This is a neat idea. I would love to be able to map out my future and know exactly what will become of it before I did it. I am sure this helps a lot of people avoid making a bad decision regarding their future plans.

KalliRenayWilde said...

I think this tree would be very helpful, especially for myself. I am still not quite sure what I want to be doing in the future.

sarah said...

It's a good idea to look at all your options in job hunting. I don't think I will be taking that much time to evaluate a company. But great tip.

Ashley Michel said...

This was pretty intresting and it made me open my eyes to what I am applying for. The tree is helpful and I do know I would like to start working when I graduate and eventually go back and get my Masters but I will take some time off before I am ready to go back.

AHickman said...

For some, this is great. For others, it's way too much. I agree you really should put a lot of thought and effort into your job search. For me, this is a little much. However, it is a great tool to really map out your future and weigh your options equally.

Heather Cosentino said...

I do not thing I am going to analyze my job search in this great detail. I’m not going to be that picky on what job I am going to have. As long as the job pays me more than what I am making now, which is not that much, and has benefits. This may be good for other people but not for me.

Blake Phillips said...

I have never heard of a decision tree before, but i plan to use this when i begin searching for a career

Carmen M. Orellana said...

The decision tree is new for me. I had never heard about it. I think I will not use this decision tree to find for a job because is to expanded and specific.

JasonSibley said...

I also agree that this decision tree could be helpful at evaluating your career goals. This decision tree could also help you make a better decision regarding your career.

Seth Bourgeois said...

I have never heard about the decision tree before. It seems like it could be useful but I do not beleive this is something I will be using. The model just goes to deep in to detail. Sometimes they make things a little more complicated than they have to be.

Jessica said...

I think it's a good idea to do the best you can at mapping out your future career options and education. I wish I would have done that at the beginning of my college career. Not too sure if I will go into such detail when it comes to a job but mabe somthing similar.

Candace Hampton said...

I have never heard of a decision tree before. I wish I had one of these handy 2 years ago. Maybe I wouldn't have had to change my major 5 times.

Unknown said...

I do not really see a need for myself personally for a decission tree. It may be helpful to someone people but it just isnt for me.

Unknown said...

Planning and having a direction of what one wants to be is important. This are driving forces when everything seemed not function.

Michelle Sullivan said...

I agree with the guru guy that the best way to predict your future is to create it. I started living my life that way a couple years back. And I have to say that it has definitely worked for my professional life. I am still in school but I also have a career that I am building.

Kelly Guerin said...

I guess making a decision tree is a good idea but I cannot see myself doing this. It seems like nothing but headache because lets say you go through all this trouble of evaluating the company and you still don't get hired. I think it's a waste of time. Every job I've had is because of the people I know through connections.

Vy said...

I never hear about decision tree before. After I read this article, it seems a good advice. It can help you assess the future value of your career choices. I will try to using decision tree.

Unknown said...

Although I'm sure it would be great help, I just cant imagine taking the time to sit down and map out a decision tree.

Lord Elliott said...

Very good advice. It may seem like a lot of work, but I think it would pay off if you have some complicated options and are not sure which one is best. The real value of a decision tree is assessing the value of a series of choices. You really have to look at least a few steps ahead for this to be worth the time.

dwayne said...

This is very good advice and something everyone should think about before just jumping in to a situation. Anytime I think about applying for a job, this first thing I ask myself is if I see myself growing with the company, can i advance past the posistion i'm applying for. If the answer is no, I pass.

inolongerlive220 said...

Not to sure how much this tree. I understand the concept but I need more direction. I currently am in making a decision if i should get and full time job and go back to school and get a masters'.

Unknown said...

With the economy being like it is, I do not think that it is a very good idea to analyze a job this much. If you over analyze it then you may not get it. With jobs being scarce I will not use this technique until jobs become abundant.

Unknown said...

The decision tree could be helpful in your decision for a career. Some people may not use it though because it is pretty lengthy. It is a good process though.

Unknown said...

I think this tree would be very helpful, especially for me. It’s a good idea to look at all your options in job hunting.

Matt Schultz said...

I think the decision tree is a great idea. This can be very helpful for people who are not sure what they want in their future.

Jacob Schultz said...

I have never seen the decision tree before. I'm not sure I plan or map out anything that much. very interesting topic.

Unknown said...

I like the concept of mapping out your options, but I also agree with the old saying, "beggars can't be choosers".

Unknown said...

Good article. It's funny how the simplest templates and ideas can help you organize your life exponentially. Whether you use a decision tree or some other visual form of mapping, they all have huge benefits in providing clarity and vision for yourself.

Courtney said...

Okay this decision tree looks like too much work. I had to do this tree thing in my Management Science class so I’m tired of looking at it. It might work for some people when it comes down to making decisions, but I’m not using it. I’ll just come up with another chart to way the pro’s and con’s of my financial planning and job search.

Unknown said...

This is the first time I have heard of the decision tree. I see how this can be very helpful in career decisions but also I think you can use this in your personal life as well.

Unknown said...

I think decision trees work great if you have a choice that is very difficult for you to make. If you know enough about a subject though and feel strongly about one side, I think they won't be as valuable in that situation.

Unknown said...

I have never heard of this decision tree but I guess if I would have to make a very complex decision then I would try to use it. It might be very helpful.

Caprice said...

I have never heard of a decision tree before, I think it is a good idea, but not for me. I don't think that it takes that much to weigh the pros and cons of my future planning.

Spencer said...

I have never used or seen anymore use a decision tree. It looks effective eventhough I probably will never use one.

Unknown said...

This sounds like a good choice if u have a difficult decision to make. This is the first im hearing of this but it sounds like it would work.

Schorle said...

This decision tree looks very helpful to use, I really cannot say if I would be able to us it or need to but it if ever the time comes and I do I will know where to go.

Unknown said...

Decision trees can be useful to everyone. They help draw out crucial financial obligations, and show the benefits to each decision. I will definitely try to apply this to my life.

Unknown said...

Im a numbers person and the decision tree breaks down your options into real numbers. It gives you the best outcome of how much money you want to make. I dont know about everyone else but if im not making top dollar im looking for other options.

matthew.lancie said...

I should use a decision tree the next time I am faced with a hard challenge. I will have to make one for when I am trying to decide on which job field I would like to work in.

Chamekia Jefferson said...

I think the decision tree is great idea but it looks too detail. I know how much I am worth and once I finish school I hope employers feel the same. Lol. I will consider revisiting this decision tree it is very interesting.

Unknown said...

I think the decision tree is a great idea for people who don't work or go to school or have a bunch of other responsibilities, but for those of us that do, I don't think making a decision tree will fall into our time schedule.

Gerardo said...

Too many details to follow and putting risk and education on this.

Iman.Henderson said...

The video made a lot of sense. Weighing out our options is important. Long term is very important and should be very well thought out.

Jess said...

Honestly, I really wasn't interested in reading that article after the author stated he was a financial planner. I read a book about how anyone can become certified to be a financial advisor after taking a 2-week course and how so many "financial planners" are advising people what to do with their money when they don't truly know what they are talkin about so I have lost faith in listening to these types of people.

Unknown said...

Very helpful information.

Kimberly said...

Oh the decision tree. I have never liked making them, mainly because most of what you see in the future is a guess. Sadly we have no crystal balls to tell us what will happen with each decision we make, and there are no do overs. This is what sucks about career planning. However, I now have a way to prepare for the age old interview question: Where do you see yourself in five years.

Vernon Blackledge Jr said...

Writing things down will always help you make decisions or simply analyze where you are.

Aaron said...

Very helpful to urge people to plan/map out their future financially based on education decisions. However, I don't see where one could predict accurate percentages as far as opportunity for promotions, pay raises, etc.

Miranda Manuel said...

I like that phrase.... "the best way to predict the future is to create it". It is very motivational.

Flaciura said...

I can see the logic behind this but I feel like in these times people will be greatful with any job that comes along.

Donald said...

I like this idea a lot. I think it is good to put your options on paper, but the only problem with this idea that most people don't have these options with the current economy.

Peter_is_a_Star said...

This is a great way to think. In order to better prepare post-college grads into their next step, I think it is best to have some options rather than none at all.

Unknown said...

Perhaps just on the fact that I'm a finance major, I love this concept. In finance they are constantly teaching us at this age to be risky now, you'll get a return later. This can be related to your future jobs as well, whats the cost to you to improve your knowledge with certification, higher education, or jumping right into a career. You must weigh out options if the money you invest in a higher education today will get you a higher return in the future, what is the present value of that today? And can career jumped into ever get you the same return without the cost of added expenses and salaries of going to school?

Daniel Berthelot said...

This concept seems pretty lengthy, but I could see how this would be very helpful.

Unknown said...

I think that everyone should use this method or something close to it. You should always weigh all of your options before making a decision as big as what career you may do.

Mario Barahona said...

Good method, but too technical and lengthy. In today's economy I wouldn't use it, but some similar method yes. Good knoledge for the future though.

Raymond Tucker said...

Our decisions that we will be making after graduation will be very vital to each and every one of us. Entering the corporate world, we will be challenged everyday.

Unknown said...

The decision tree probably wont be that helpful to me. I feel planning and looking into the future is your best way to go. To have goals of where you want to be in 5 or so years. I have a plan of where I am headed after I graduate. My pay of course just starting out wont be that high, but no ones is. I think just have a goal in life is the best.

Ted said...

What the hell is a decision tree? I've never heard of that. I'll take any job that pays me what I'm worth.

christopher.raleigh said...

I think decision trees are useful, but not very practical for most people. Most people can weigh the pros and cons of a job intuitively because most jobs aren't that complicated. I think this tactic would be much more useful later in life when deciding to switch from one job to another.

Gabriel Ordoyne said...

The decision tree might be a useful tool, but you have to determine the net present value associated with creating and using it in order to determine whether it adds value to your career and job search. If the net present value of the decision tree is 0 or positive than create it.

Linh said...

I think decision trees may be useful later in your career when you decide to switch jobs and have lots of experiences, but not for new graduates. Most of us would be glad to have a job offer with this economy. I don't think I am going to take this much time to analyze the company that much in depth.

Unknown said...

The article “Using Decision Trees to Map-Out Your Options” gave some tips. For some people, using a decision tree is a great way to weight out all your options. I don’t think I would analyze my job search in this much detail. But this technique might work really well for others.

Unknown said...

This article uses almost a mathematical approach to understanding and making career decisions. When they talk about deciding which grad program to pursue, it is something many of us overlook, in that we should determine which will have the best possible outcome and opportunities. Also, learning patience is a huge trait that will help make decision making easier.

matthew.lancie said...

I should use a decision tree the next time I am faced with a hard challenge. I will have to make one for when I am trying to decide on which job field I would like to work in.

selafitz11 said...

This article shows that the more options you are able to create for yourself, the better chance of one you want actually happening. The goal is to configure your current situation into ways that allow for you to move forward in many different ways instead of locking your sights onto one specific way. Options yields success.

Amy said...

I think in everyone’s own way we map out our job decisions. I know when looking for a new job, or even applying for another job, the first thing I do is compare salary, and job hours. A lot can be wagered on salary, and job hours alone. I also compare retirement, and how old I would be when I retire from that job, as we all know everyone wants to retire as soon as possible.

Ms. Brittany said...

Diagraming the possible outcomes of your future is a great way to help you make some effective decisions. Last semester in my Econ 312 class we practice analizing the pay-offs of higher education, which was a very similar concept to this one. To my surprise some degrees gave a negative pay-off in the long run, so it is important to weigh your options.

Keronida Myles said...

In this article I learned that, "the value of any real option is based on how far in the future the event is from today's date, the discount rate and the distribution and value of possible future events." This statement stand true and that is why some people decide to go into the workforce out of high school instead of college. Even though I have went through a lot of period with out money I believe that my college education is worth it. Also I is what employers are looking for. Although I will be graduating in May with my undergraduate degree in Accounting my education will not be complete. Accounting firms are looking for accountants with the 150 credit hours, so that new staff personnel are prepared to take the CPA exam. I still believe that college was the correct way to go for me. I like the decision tree and how clearly, each option we presented in the tree. i have way like the saying that "time is of the essence" because is so precious. A person should make sure that they are making the right decide and not just being rushed my time constraints.

Unknown said...

Honestly, I do not see myself ever really doing this. I think I would if it were less formal and technical I would be more inclined to do something like this. However, I am a big "planner" and like to see things in the long run so maybe one day I will do this.

Brandon Walker said...

This is a good theory. I dont see myself putting in that much time. The job market is not as big as it used to be and every opportunity helps but i will use this information for consideration.

Cole said...

I really like this idea and have applied to many situations in my life where I have had multiple options. I gets a great way to get a true feel for the options you have in front of you. It also gives you a visual aid to see everything and not just to think about every option. I am a big fan of tree diagram planning. I hope people who have never done it before will give it a try.

Unknown said...

I think that the decision making tree is a very good idea that I have never heard of before. I think that I would use this to help me figure out my options and make best decision for myself. There are many different ways that are similar to this one that I have used to make a big decision in my life and I plan to use this one next time that I need something to help me weigh my options.

Sharon said...

The decision tree took me back to OMIS 430. There are some good pointers in the article. Not only was it a good article, but it also was a good marketing tool. It is suggested that with more education, you have more options, and I can agree with that. But as mentioned also that can create a financial situation. It’s all a matter of working out the decision tree and making the decision that will work out better for you

Cody W. said...

This is a good idea if you have a lot of options, but for new graduates that do not have experience it may be better for them to grab what they can, get experience, then search and build a decision tree.

Ciji Rodrigue said...

I love to plan ahead and map things out because I don’t like surprises. When I was on the job hunt I compared all of my career options in planning for the future. Mapping out one’s future career or financial goals is a smart thing to do whether using a decision tree or not. To me, decision trees seem too technical, but for some people they may be useful to plan out their future.

John Stiles said...

I find it very helpful to plan out and research all job opportunities you may be interested in. I actually have a key line in my cover letter that kind of captures my intention in a nut shell. I plan to use the skills that I have previously acquired through my education and job, to benefit not only the company but myself by patrolling and augmenting my education and career goals.

Nyoki said...

I think the decision planning things is a great idea. In life you are faced with so many difficult options and you have to make tough decisions. With this method you will be able to look at all of those options carefully to make the best decision possible. I feel like many people need to give this a try if they have not before.

Anonymous said...

I personally think this is a waste of time. Of course you should make well thought out decisions but I think that can be done without this tree. A bit too analytical for me.

drew.oster said...

This article about financail planning had some great advice. I learned a lot and will use is in the future. I think getting more education across a broad spectrum to give yourself more options for creating value within your firm and with your clients will help out in the long run.

Tosha_Daniels said...

Right now as a college student I dont put that much emphasis on my job searching because I know I dont plan on making any of them my career. But soon as i graduate i know I can put some of these tips to good use! Its a bit much, but it seems very helpful and orderly. It can save alot of time too, if you do it right the first time and it can be used more than once.

JasonSibley said...

I agree, using a decision tree to help you make better decisions is important and probably very helpful. I have never really thought about actually drawing out all of my options on paper, but I will definitely start doing so. I think the decision tree would be a very helpful tool if people actually used it. It is especially helpful when deciding which job to select to start off your career.

Sherrie said...

I wish I would have used a decision tree a few years ago when I started college. I do believe waiting can be rewarding.

Unknown said...

 I have a plan or tree that I make when I make decisions. 
I probably won't go in to so much detail in making a tree analysis when I look for a job. When it comes to pay, I am going to check the average and make sure I get a little more than that to start. I will prove my worth and earn more pay. It may be very helpful to give it a try. 

Wesley Borne said...

I do agree that using the decision tree is very helpful with making better decisions. Its not only helpful but its very important. I never heard of it how you draw out your opinions on paper. I believe that the decision tree will be very helpful to me and it will also be used when making a decision about my career opportunities.

Lona said...

The decision tree is a great idea and helpful, but I personally don't think it would be of any use to me. I think about the long run rather than the short run in life, which is why I enjoy the concept. I plan on having a house within the next three years which is why I started working more with my company, moved home, and started saving money. I wanted to get a head start on my future and not have to worry about finding a job and a plan right after I graduate.

Laura Bruno Photography said...

Creating a decision tree is not something I have yet considered. Now having read this article it definetly seems like a viable option. The only down side to doing this decision tree is that it takes a lot of time to do, and us as college students do not really have time to be doing this, teachers keep us stressed out enough. The decision tree is a great way to break down all options for you and it can let you see where each road has the potential to take you.

Peter_is_a_Star said...

I can see how this could be applicable for some people, however for me, I couldn't use this because the idea behind my job searching goes more into what passions I have in the corporate world. It takes a real passion to become enthrall in financial modeling and solving monetary problems governments, or countries are facing today.

Joel said...

This is was a great article and shed light on what it is I truly think about a job without realizing it. This was the first time I had actually heard of a decision tree referred to as such. I make decision trees, just not in the same manner as what is described. I think that people should look to make such trees in important planning as they can potentially put thoughts that you did not thoroughly examine into the open.

Unknown said...

This is an awesome article. I think decision trees should be more prevalent within today's society. Jobs should implement option trees within the workplace. It gives the employees a better since of direction and goals. Decision trees can branch off to many different aspects making it very informative. Job hunters should also use decision trees. It will help organize the process and better and give him or her a better evaluation of the potential job.

Unknown said...

I think using a decsion tree is a great idea although I never use this type of decsion making process It would probably be better for me if I did.

Unknown said...

This is a pretty interesting way to analyze a future job opportunity however I do not think I would be so in depth in the search. I analyze things a lot as it is doing this just seem like over kill even to me.

Whitney said...

I can see where some people may want or need to use this approach but I personally don't think I would. I'm more interesting in finding a job that I know I would be interested in and would make me happy. Making money is certainly important but being happy in your job is more important.

Seth Bourgeois said...

I have never heard about the decision tree before. It seems like it could be useful but I do not beleive this is something I will be using. The model just goes to deep in to detail. Sometimes they make things a little more complicated than they have to be.

Demond said...

This is a very helpful tool to map your future, before making a decision. I have not set down and mapped my future, but I want to as soon as possible. I have to make a critical decision in the near future on whether to attend grad school or start a career. Before, I make my decision I will use this tree mapping tool to weight my options.

Kevin Harper said...

Good concept, but actually mapping out my job hunt exactly as he described does not seem like something i would actually spend time doing. Maybe later in life when looking for a even better job after getting more experience I would consider something like this

Unknown said...

I think that the decision tree is a great idea, but who has the time to fill out that detailed of an outline. Overall the decision tree is a good concept, but it needs some revising to eliminate unnecessary detail. I agree that its a good idea but I don't see myself making one.

N.Jones said...

Well, this is new to me. I never heard of a decision tree. Honestly I would not use this concept in my job hunting process.

Kellie Williams said...

I like the part that explains how many people have regrets about jumping into a career. I think everyone should weigh their options before making any career decisions. Pursuing a career that isn't for you can lead to an unhappy, unfulfilling life.

Unknown said...

I think this is a good idea. It's really helpful for new graduates and even later in life. You can compare different jobs and positions. It's really useful.

Melissa said...

I think mapping out your options are very important. I may not so as sophisticated process of decision making but I definitely use pro/con lists and try to figure out the outcomes of my decisions. It is helpful to have a well thought out plan so you can see your options.

kady said...

I didn't really like this article that much. I'm not going to waste so much time breaking down a company when I will learn most of the stuff once I work there.

Jacob Schultz said...

I have used a form like the decision tree it helps highlight the strengths and weaknesses that may not be so clear.

Brenda Brown said...

This is a great idea and seems like it would be a very helpful tool when determining future plans. I am still not sure what I want to do in the future or where I want to work. This tool seems like it would help guide people through the necessary actions needed to accomplish there goals.

Brenda Brown said...

This decision tree seems like a good idea, but does it take in to account changes in the economy or job availability. However, you could make educated estimates and be aware that a branch might break or something along the way. There should be a back up plan for unexpected events.

Lindsay said...

I think the decision tree is a great way of mapping out different options or directions you could go in. It gives you a picture of where your choices could end up taking you. I feel that a decision tree can help someone stay on track and not make hasty decisions that could throw their career off track. I think everyone should draw a decision tree at least one time, maybe not for a career, but where you want to see yourself in years to come.

Anonymous said...

This is a very helpful tool to map your future, before making a decision. I have not sat down and mapped my future although it may be a good idea to start now

Kelly Guerin said...

I guess for some people making a decision tree would be a good idea for those who are overly obsessive about their future. I would not make one of these. I do have plans that are in my head but not drawn out on paper. I just think most of the time some people go through too much trouble of finding a job and they may have the "perfect" resume with the perfect grades and know everything about a company and still don't get hired.

Unknown said...

Making your decision for your future and career path is very important, but making a decision tree I would say is a bit much. They have posted some good points about thinking out your options and thinking into the future. It is very important to plan for tomorrow today and if you don't your future will not be what you wanted.

DeMarcus Sims said...

A decision tree is absolutely the answer for ALL of us. It actually helps us get things mapped out and lets us weigh out all of our options. I love the quote from the article that says "Look before you leap". It is definately true, because a lot of people will just jump! People need to be aware of what lies ahead of them, because the things that they may think are good can actually be bad. Its good to analyze your future with a decision tree.

DeMarcus Sims said...

After reasing this article, I realize how much is it really needed. You have to understand that you have options that you can capitalize on, and in order to do so, you need to sketch it out on paper. Making a decision tree will help you visualize what exactly you have. It helps you figure out where you are going and helps you "look" before you "leap". It is really helpful!

Toni Bonura said...

I really liked the quote by Kautt, "The more options you create for yourself, the better chance of one you really want happening." Trying to configure your current situation to give yourself plenty of ways to move forward. This is all extremely good advice. However, I do not think the sequential outcomes are easy to follow or efficient. It took me a couple of times to read through these outcomes just to follow them.

Unknown said...

This is a very detailed way of searching for a job but it seems like it will work. This idea of a decision tree will take a great deal of time but i think it is worth it in the end.

william.huggins said...

That has a whole let of detail involved. When I go try to get a job after graduation I think I am going to apply and get interviews as many places as I can so I can alteast have a job. In this economy I am hoping that I can find a job that pays decent at first and I can keep.

Heather Cosentino said...

I do not think I will analyze my job search in this great detail. I’m not going to be that picky on what job I am going to peruse. As long as the job pays me more than what I am making now, which is not that much, and has benefits. This may be good for other people but not for me.

Matt Schultz said...

I agree its a good article but I probably wont take the time to map out my options as detailed as this. This article has some good facts i think that are important to read and know when considering your options.

dwayne said...

To some degree you have to use something like this when planning your future. Maybe it's not as complex as this one, maybe more simple like a pro's/con's list. You need to have an idea of where you think something will lead before you jump in.

Danielle Hodge said...

WOW this article really hit home on so many different levels. I am almost finished with my bachelors degree and have been contemplating if I wanted to continue in school and get my masters. Well I am leaning towards YES. I have printed out the application; it’s a start I suppose. Secondly I have been so anxious to move up with in my company as I know I will be eligible once I get by degree. But I need to remember to be patient; there is no need to rush things. The great managers I have above me did not get where they are overnight. My time will come in due time..

Josh Coryell said...

I've always wanted to own small businesses when I was around 30. I kind of used a decision tree to figure out what career would earn me the capital I need, but also help me the most. I didn't sit down, but I thought hard on it for a couple of months.

Jenee said...

I think this tree is a little bit informative, but little bit difficult for some to understand. I think it is good for someone who wants this, but if they dont, they may think of it an another annoying thing they have to ass to their list.

Nick Cruise said...

I like the idea of weighing out my options, but honestly I do not see myself making a decision tree. The process seems a little too long for me. I can usually make a good decision, in my opinion.

Daniel Cashio said...

Its always great to plan ahead. Mapping out your future lets you view all of your options and lets you know which direction you will be headed after certain decisions or situations.

camirenee said...

The idea of the tree is a good one which could be very helpful. The tree given was difficult to understand but has good information. If the ideas could be more organized then the tree would be more usefull.

camirenee said...

I do not think i will ever map out my plan like this. I graduate soon and think I will take whatever job I can until I find something better. I would love to be able to plan out my future and get the job I pick but the world does not work that way.

megan said...

I don't remember ever being exposed to a decision tree but this isn't a bad method to show someone how to map-out their options for their careers. I'm naturally a planner and I tend to analyze most of what I do thoroughly before making big changes or decisions, so I don't think the decision tree will help me much. If my brain weren't already geared the way it is for considering things then I would probable use it for important decisions not quick ones.

Jake Miller said...

The decision tree is a very good approach to use to make a difficult decision. When making a hard decision it is important to weight all of your option. I will definitely be using a decision tree next time I'm faced with a difficult decision.

Daniel Berthelot said...

I'm not very familiar with this theory but it seems to be a good idea.

Jamie said...

I do remember learning about decision trees, but not focused in on job searches. I think if you are really concerned about your future and feel the need to scope out every single situation that can happen, then a decision tree may put some anticipation at ease. I typically do research a firm before considering it as a career, but I don't overanalyze the idea of my future. I like to have plans and goals, but I don't feel the need to make decision trees to really focus in on my future. I think for someone who is concerned, this is a great tool to use to map out the potential for your future.

ChrisSaintsedo said...

Decision trees bring back a lot of memories. I never thought they were something I could use when looking for a job. I just recently had a man ask me about my future plans and what I wanted to do and gave me names and numbers of some prominent businessmen and wanted me to use his name as a reference. So of course I went and did some research on all of them so I guess I took a step from this. I don't want to make too many decisions on a whim since they could effect my future and the concept was shown that way here.

William said...

This is a good article filled with very good advice. You could apply these decision trees to almost all of your major decisions and probably should.

Vanessa said...

I have used the decision tree to make decisions before, and it just helps lay everything out more clearly. This article had great advice for life in general not just career planning.

kristinp0902 said...

This seems like a great idea. It is good to think ahead and weigh all of your options. I think it probably helps to write everything out to look at things more clearly. This is a great article with very useful advice.

Travis said...

I think its important to map out your financial future. If you don't, you won't be able to know any of your future plans or investments with your money. The article calculated in a little more complicated terms. I try to stick with simple math to calculate my financial future. Whatever works for you.

Javeria said...

I've actually never heard of a decision tree before and after reading this article and looking at the diagrams, I can see how it would be a good approach for some people to use in job searches and what not, but despite being a planner myself it seems too complicated for me to want to use.

Rhesha said...

The decision tree is an intersting concecpt that I had never heard of before. It was a little over my head but I can see where is would be very useful to others.

Ashley Roberts said...

I am someone who is very in to planning. I like to plan just about everything. I believe that it is very important that we weigh our future options and choose the option with the most benefits for ourselves and our family. I cannot say that I would use the information from this article to look at my options and their benefits because it seems too complex.

Andrea said...

This is a concept I have heard all my life, not in the form of the Decision Tree but in general terms of prepare for your future. I felt like it was your basic "set your goals for your future and follow them" type article. Don't get me wrong I think it is good advice but maybe a repeat of what we hear all the time.

Janelle said...

I think this article was very helpful. What a great idea that can be applied to all of one's decision making, not just career. This decision tree could really help me in planning and figuring out my future career choices.

Annette said...

I never heard of this before but it sounds like a nice tool!

Iman said...

I do believe in making educated decisions which require an analysis of pros and cons. Even if one job out values another doesn’t mean that it is the better choice. This is a concept I have heard all my life, not in the form of the Decision Tree but in general terms of prepare for your future.

c0mpl3xity said...

This was one of the best articles of the day. I liked how detailed he went with the numbers and turned finance which is math into real world problem solving which is practical. Math is logical, and when applied to life, we stay rational in a world of irrationality.

Donald said...

I like this idea a lot. I think it is good to put your options on paper, but the only problem with this idea that most people don't have these options with the current economy.

Christina said...

This article was really interesting because I have always used many different types of brainstorming strategies, but never anything for numbers or financing. Also, I have never heard of a tree map.

Megan said...

This article was very interesting and informative. I had never heard of descision trees before. I think it can be a useful guide in mapping out your future goals and decisions. It is always good and comforting to know that you have options and mapping them out is an easier way to picture what your decision choices are.

Arthur said...

This article was very good info. The decision a bout tree was tremendous. We need to have more better decisions making skill on most of the thing that's going on in the world.

Brian said...

This is a very informing article because choice is all we really have in life. Its a good article because it makes you think about what is important and that is the future. I really need to plan my future out asap because im not really sure what I want to do.

Shanel said...

The decision tree is an interesting concept that I have heard of before. I actually used the decision tree in one of my classes before. the information that they proved is very informative.

Melissa Dennis said...

I don't think I've ever heard of this decision tree before. I am bookmarking this site and will use it in the future.

Kelly said...

This is a productive way to approach different aspects of ones future. This would probably help me narrow down my options for when I graduate. I can decide whether or not I want to attend graduate school and what business I want to enter after I graduate. Also when would be the best time to start my own small business.

John said...

There are many good decision making techniques. This one seems to be a little bit too lengthy to me. I’m sure it would help but I don’t know that it would be worth the trouble.

Frederick said...

Never heard of this technique. I may have to evaluate how I'm searching for a job.

Regdricka said...

Using this technique is very beneficial to setting goals and achieving them. I have never heard of this exact concept but I know that it can help. I will most definitely add this to my goal setting/planning process the text time I sit down and reevaluate my goals.

Lesley said...

Once again, I’m inspired! I can't wait to use this technique!

Crystal said...

This was yet another great article. I learned a lot from it. I can not wait until I can not wait to implement this concept in to my life. Great article.

Taylor said...

This was a great article. I had never heard of this concept before. It seems like it would be very useful.

Chancie said...

I remember learning how to make decision trees when I was in elementary school. It never occurred to me that they could be applied to career situations. They are very helpful in assessing pros and cons along with the value of each option.

Cynthia Haley said...

Definitely can provide a visual representation to assist in your decision regarding a career path. As the article suggests, weigh your options carefully so there may be no regrets in the future. “Look before you Leap!”

Travis said...

I really enjoyed this quote it, ..."Prepare for your tomorrows today, and they will look a lot like you expected them to." Alot of people just live from day to day and before you know they have no retirement or future goals. Its good to plan your financial future, as well as other decisions you will make in your life.

CourtneyHarper said...

I like to have options, but too many options may be overwhelming. This decision tree seems to be a great tool to use when you need to make a choice after you have narrowed down the options. I find tools like this to be useful to sort out my thoughts and assist in making a choice just to give me another perspective on the situation.

Jessica Landry said...

I could’ve used this a couple months ago when I was deciding what to do after I graduated this semester. This shows just how true making one decision in your life can take you many places.

Jessica Landry said...

It makes sense to be able to make better choice now about the future if you know something or the possibilities of future, potential outcomes. While this makes sense, HOW to actually go about calculating this is still very confusing to me.

Hope Bahm said...

I think using a decision tree to map out job opportunities and outcomes is a good idea. It’s important to weigh all your career options and not only think of the present value of the job, but the future value of it too. With the present job market, just getting a job is a blessing.

Kirsten Johns said...

Having all of your options laid out in front of you is idealy the best way to take that next step into your future. The main struggle is how do you know exactly what all of your options are and where do you start researching? I agree with this method but would need more time and assistance to cover all of the bases before making an important decision that would greatly impact my future.

toshia said...

This is a great idea especially for someone like me. I always have to sit down and think about what's my next step in life. I can only do that when i right it down and see where things are heading if i do this or that!

candace said...

I think having something to where all of your options are mapped out in front of you so that you can get a clear picture is important. Sometimes if you are just thinking and weighing all your options in your head, you can skip over something or get confused. with a decision tree you can lay it all out and see which would be the best option for you.

setarah said...

I've always been conscious of what my plans on for the future. Even though with day to day situations it may change I have it written down in a book. So this concept is very important to me.

setarah said...

Being that I always right things down I love this concept. I plan and map out everything, from my day to day activities to my future. I have to do this to make sure I'm taking all the necessary precautions to get the task done.

Joe said...

I think using a decision tree to map out job opportunities is a great idea. Having everything laid out for you makes things a lot easier. Just because it is laid out for you do not mean you don't have to put any effort into it. At the end of the day it is still your job. So just take advantage of of the decision tree do not misuse it.

Jerry said...

I think that using a decision tree to help you to map out your future is a good idea. It can help you to see different paths you can take to come to a desirable outcome, and it lets you allow for speed bumps along the way.

Lona said...

The decision tree is a good idea, but I don't think it would be of any use to me. I enjoyed the concept, but I think it just gets a little too technical. I also don't intend on taking that much time to evaluate a company. However, I can agree that learning patience is a huge trait that will help make decision making easier.

Ryan McCray said...

Having more education and knowing and keeping your options open have been preached to us since we were young little kids. However to analyze exactly what different decisions and options you have could be greatly valuable to the future and success of ones personal life.

Unknown said...

The decision tree is, in theory, a good idea, if you have the time to sit down and do it. With my hectic life between school and work, I barely have time to breathe, much less spend time mapping out this decision tree. Realistically, if you have time to sit down and work out the decision tree, great. But if you're like me, and don't have the time, then it's not such a helpful tool anymore.

Elaine Gulley said...

The decision tree can be very useful for many people. I have heard of the decision tree but have never actually used it. I like to set goals and make plan for my future. Using a decision tree or simply writing things down in a notebook are great ways for individuals to help make decisions and analyze their future.

Jauslynne Parker said...

Never heard of a decision tree but the concept seems interesting. I am just not that particular when it comes to planning.

Anthony Friedman said...

When making a decision its always good to weigh your options! Decision tree is a good tool to help you do that.

ChrisSaintsedo said...

Decision trees bring back a lot of memories. I never thought they were something I could use when looking for a job. I just recently had a man ask me about my future plans and what I wanted to do and gave me names and numbers of some prominent businessmen and wanted me to use his name as a reference. So of course I went and did some research on all of them so I guess I took a step from this. I don't want to make too many decisions on a whim since they could effect my future and the concept was shown that way here.

Mary Phillips said...

I’ve never heard of a decision tree till now, but planning is my thing. Planning is very important and the key to success in life. I’m a huge planner and write down everything I need to do way in advance. The decision tree lays out all the options you may have and which one is the best. Next time I’m faced with a hard decision, I will be making one of these trees.

Andrew Heffker said...

I'm not a big fan of models. I believe in the idea of GIGO. So I'm not sure of how good they will be.

Matt Johnson said...

always plan ahead. It is very important to know where one is going in terms of work place. Setting up a tree like this isn't completely necessary, but it does help you break down every little possible thing that effects whether or not Job A or B will be received.

kala said...

The older I get the more I find myself planning for the long run instead of the short. Making decisions for your future and career path is very important, but making a decision tree I would say is a bit much. It is smart to plan for tomorrow today and if you don't your future will not be what you wanted

Amanda Gagneaux said...

I have never even heard of a decision tree before this. When I start to think of my future I get really nervous! I have no idea what I want to do, or really even how to figure it out. But I do know that I do not want to plan out every step of my life. I want to see where life takes me. If an opportunity arises, I will take it, but if it doesn't, I will wait until one does, or put a little extra effort in when I need to. I want to live my life, not live a plan I made for myself 5 years ago.

Stephanie Troxler said...

Weighing out your options is a good idea. This article was a good source decision making. Many great tips and ideas.

Stephanie Troxler said...

I liked this article. The next time I have to reach a decision I will be sure to use a decision tree. It can def. help me out with deciding what to do after I graduate.

Jessica Rice said...

I have never heard of a decision tree analysis, and I doubt I ever make one, it is enough just getting through my last semester of school and then preparing a resume and all. etc.

Marcus Verner said...

I think we are working on a tree that looks like this in one of my classes. Prior to that, I had never heard of this system. I think I am going to play with it after reviewing the article because after all the interviews I have been on in the past two weeks I need some other system to decide. At this point I’m open to anything.

John Edmund Sencial said...

The key to success starts with successful goal planning. This includes mapping future decisions that will bring you closer to your end goals. Without the right future plan a business or individuals goals will not be met.

John Edmund Sencial said...

The key to good decision making starts with good decision planning. One can expect to make key important decisions in the best manner if they are not optimally planned. Businesses must incorporate this in order to build upon a successful strategy.

Shawn Smith said...

I like how this article takes decision making and breaks it down into individual steps that could eventually lead to potential outcomes. In life, I feel as if everyone should strive to find out what their potential is, even if they decide that they would not like to pursue it.

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