Problem Solving - Dilemma between the Two Jobs - Essay Example

Problem Solving Introduction Problem solving involves evaluation of a situation through creating visible options in order to arrive at an optimal solution. The current dilemma between the two jobs requires various strategies in order to evaluate all possible pros and cons between each job offer. 1. Defining the problem There is the challenge of choosing between two careers based on the benefits that the two employers provide. I am committed to choosing the best option before the new job window period of two weeks expires. An optional solution is necessary since it determines my future prosperity, my financial position as well as my higher education level potentiality. The problem involves deciding whether to retain my current job position or to take my company’s competitor’s job offer. The new job offers better benefits but with limited tuition fees reimbursement while my current position offers less benefits but with full tuition fees compensation. Bearing in mind the huge costs in Master’s education, I have to make a decision on whether to take the job or not within the 2 weeks window period (Aken & Bij, 2012). The new job offer is pleasant though it also poses a number challenges. There is the complex challenge of balancing between work and education since the new position requires me to have a Master’s degree after placement. Education requires long hours of study and preparation but without compromising the job quality (Aken & Bij, 2012). The new job will also cut on my leisure times since I will be involved in learning during my vacations. I am also uncertain whether after my Bachelor’s degree my present company was to promote me, before I actually resign. Furthermore, I am not sure whether I will manage to pay for my entire Master’s tuition fees bearing in mind other necessary expenses at hand. 2.Analyzing the problem My ideal solution will be the one that I achieve a fulfilling position with maximum benefits; and minimal overheads. The new position offers greater benefits than my current one that is; an annual salary increase of $15, 000, a relocation and car allowances. My present employer does not have any of the benefits except education reimbursement benefit. This means that incase I do not take any remedial education, I am not entitled to any significant allowance from the company (Aken & Bij, 2012). My assumption is that after I complete my Bachelor’s degree, my present company will soon promote me and I should therefore ignore the offer and see what happens. I also tend to assume that paying my Master’s tuition fees will be difficult to manage having other current and incoming expenditures. After gathering facts about my present situation, I came up with various scenarios. After working for my present company for a solid 11 years without any recognition, am I certain that my degree certificate will have any significant impact? Could there be any employee (s) studying besides me at my present workplace? Is my new position compensation worth relocating? Is my Master’s degree tuition fee sustainable? 3.Generating options After analyzing my current problem, I discovered that I had several options to base my decision from. If I stick to my current position, I may or may not be promoted and hence benefits are also uncertain (Aken & Bij, 2012). But in the new position, it is certain that I will be promoted having been highly recommended by my previous supervisor and there is surety of the benefits. Before making a decision, I was confirmed by my friend Jesse that payment for Master’s can be indeed costly. Having worked for the organization for 11 years without any awards or recognition, I can as well as fail to be promoted following the policies and procedures of the company (Aken & Bij, 2012). After conclusive brainstorming with my friend, I decided to neglect some constraints and jotted down some possible options: a).I could ignore the offer, keep working hard and wait for promotion in my present company. b)I could divert the car allowance in order to pay for my Master’s tuition fees. c).I could assume that I am the only one taking degree course in my present company and I would certainly be shortlisted for any job opening in the company. d).I could save a quarter of my salary every month in order to boost my Master’s tuition fees. e). I could utilize the annual salary increments in order to pay for my Master’s course. 4.Evaluating the options After generating the 5 options, I decided to evaluate their pros and cons in order to assess their feasibilities. a).Ignore the offer, keep working hard and wait for promotion in my present company: Pros; the move will substitute the current offer by achieving a new job position in the present company and with benefits. The issue of Master’s education will also be solved. Cons; having worked for the present organization for close to 11 years with no rewards or recognition, the pattern will soon be the same. My degree certification will have no effect to the organization. b)I could divert the car allowance in order to pay for my Master’s tuition fees: Pros; I would rent a house near the company in order to commute and save my car allowance. Cons; it would compromise my reputation due to walking to and fro my home to the organization. c).I could assume that I am the only one taking degree course in my present company and I would certainly be shortlisted for any job opening in the company: Pros; I would be promoted due to the additional advantage that I possess over the other employees. Cons; most of the employees nowadays are learned and I could indeed be wrong. Having worked for 11 years with no rewards could still be the same pattern after my graduation. e). I could utilize the annual salary increments in order to pay for my Master’s course: Pros; I could use the annual increments to increase my savings portfolio. In addition, the relocation allowance would assist me in meeting my current and overhead expenses. Cons; I would minimize my disposable income (Hicks, 2013). 5. Making a decision I reviewed the options in order to eliminate the decisions that had minimal significant outcomes. a).I could ignore the offer, keep working hard and wait for promotion in my present company. b)I could divert the car allowance in order to pay for my Master’s tuition fees. c).I could assume that I am the only one taking degree course in my present company and I would certainly be shortlisted for any job opening in the company. d).I could save a quarter of my salary every month in order to boost my Master’s tuition fees. e). I could utilize the annual salary increments in order to pay for my Master’s course. After eliminating the options that actually did not solve my problem, I arrived at 3 possible solutions. My objective was to choose a career that has maximum benefits with minimal expenses. I therefore decide to take the new job offer since it has greater benefits with manageable overhead expenses and room for personal development (Hicks, 2013). 6. Implementing and reflecting I hence decide to my quit my current job and relocate to the new State in order to take up the new position (Hicks, 2013). I further began to look for an apartment in the new State which I luckily obtained at a prudent price. The apartment in only 50 meters from the new company’s location. After 3 months of socializing with my new position and organization, I decided to reflect on my decision. I realized that my relocation allowance assists me significantly in meeting some house bills like cooking gas and electricity. The car allowance remains untouched due to minimal additional costs where I later opened a current savings account to assist in managing my incomes. I will also be adding my annual salary increments to the account in order to increase my savings account and reduce my tuition fees burden (Hicks, 2013). I was worried about my reputation due to walking to work, where I later on discovered that some of my neighbors are my colleagues and they also commute the same way as I do. I can gladly say that the decision I made was the best option due to my present situation and the bright future that lies ahead. Conclusion The fears I faced during the emergence of the new job offer rejuvenated my efforts after embracement. I was able to analyze the problem through 5 critical steps before arriving at my optional decision. The decision was successful after evaluating its implementation and reflection effects. References Aken, J. E., Berends, H., & Bij, H. (2012). Problem Solving In Organizations: A Methodological Handbook For Business And Management Students. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. Hicks, M. (2013). Problem Solving In Business And Management: Hard, Soft And Creative Approaches. Boston, MA: Springer US. Read More