TimeMAPS™

Career Preparedness Class

Unit #1 Worksheet

Student ______

Class ______

Date ______

The Decision Making Process

Part A

Enter the definition for each of the key terms introduced in this unit in the space provided after the term. You are free to use the Online Dictionary in TimeMAPS™ to look up the terms or the notes you took when the instructor introduced this unit to the class. Feel free to discuss the terms with your parents, siblings or other family members. They may have already experienced the effects of these terms and may be able to provide valuable insight to what they mean.

  1. Instant Gratification
  1. Delayed Gratification
  1. Trade-offs
  1. Opportunity Cost
  1. Peer Pressure

Part B

Answer each of the following questions using the space provided.

  1. What is the best way to solve a problem that doesn’t have an obvious answer?
  1. How can you determine the trade-offs of a selected decision?
  1. How can you determine the opportunity costs of a selected decision?

Part C

Complete the table below to practice using the Decision Making Process to determine what you should do after completing high school. The table will guide you in deciding what you should do after completing high school. The choices for what you might do after high school are already entered into the table. You must list the benefits (good things you get) for each choice and the trade-offs (what you are giving) for each choice. Keep in mind there can be multiple benefits and trade-offs for each choice. Remember, the steps to the process are:

  1. Define the problem – this has already been done for you
  2. Brainstorm
  3. List the alternatives – this has already been done for you
  4. Evaluate the alternatives
  5. Identify the consequences
  6. Propose a solution

Based on the benefits and trade-offs you list for each of the choices, rank each of the choices from 1 to 4 where #1 is the best choice and #4 is the least attractive choice. The opportunity cost only applies to your first and second choice and it represents what it costs in money if you select one choice and not the other one. You may not know the actual opportunity cost as you are just beginning this class, but you will when you have completed this class. For now, use your best judgment to estimate the opportunity cost for your #1 choice which represents the cost of not choosing option #2.

The Decision Making Process Table

Choice / Benefits / Trade-offs / Rank / Opportunity Cost
Get a job and go directly into the work force
Enlist in the military
Attend a community college (2-years)
Attend a 4-year college

Copyright © REMTECH, inc. All rights reservedUpdated: 10/2013