College vs. Job Dilemma: Systematic Problem-Solving

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Table of Contents

Pre-Writing
Problem Solving
Conclusion
Reflection and Speculation
References

Pre-Writing

Define Problem

I spent eleven years of my life working for this company. I demonstrated my desire for promotion through the pursuit of a college degree. I am near the finish line, and I am about to get my college diploma. However, something came up unexpectedly. A competing company wanted to hire me. I am in a dilemma because the job offered is in another state.

Aside from the need to move to another state, I have to start immediately. If the competing company wants me to start within two weeks, I will not be able to finish the final exams for my courses.

Analyze Problem

If I am willing to forego my college education, the competing company will give me a $15,000 salary increase, car allowance, and relocation expenses. However, the competing company expects me to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. My current employer provides tuition reimbursement. The competing company will never reimburse my college tuition fee.

Generate Options

The first option is to stay put and finish my college education. Choosing this course of action ensures the attainment of a specific goal. My current employer’s commitment to reimburse tuition fees is a major factor in the decision to stay. The second option is to transfer to a competing company. Choosing this course of action ensures a brighter future because of the capability to secure a higher position in the company. For this option, I can choose to use the $15,000 salary increase to pay for my college tuition fees.

To resolve the dilemma, I choose to use the Problem Solving Process (The Global Development Research Center, 2014).

Problem Solving

Problem Definition

The problem is rooted in the desire to accomplish two major objectives. First, I need to earn a college degree. Second, I want to be promoted. It is also rooted in the desire to earn a good living and to provide a better future for my family. Thus, when the offer to work at a competing company was presented to me, it created a dilemma that requires a resolution. My current employer will reimburse my college tuition fees. The prospective employer from the competing company will not reimburse my college tuition fees. However, the competing company will give me a $15,000 salary increase. Besides, they will also give me a car allowance,m, and relocation expenses. Nevertheless, they have high expectations, and they will demand that I will earn a college degree. Furthermore, they will require me to earn a Master’s degree shortly.

Problem Analysis

If I decide to stay and work with my current employer, I have a one hundred percent chance of accomplishing the first objective, which is to earn a college degree. However, I have no assurance that I will get three things that I aspire to acquire shortly. First, there is no assurance of a promotion. Second, there is no assurance that I will enjoy a significant salary increase. Finally, there is no assurance of a car allowance to enable me to acquire a new car.

If I decide to transfer to another company I am assured of three things. First, I will be promoted. Second, I will receive at least 15,000 dollars in additional income. Third, I will be able to purchase a new car. However, certain objectives may slip from my grasp. I have no assurance that I will be able to earn a college degree because they will not reimburse my college tuition fees. At the same time, I have no assurance if the competing company will honor my contract with them if I fail to earn a college degree.

Generating Possible Solutions

A practical solution to this dilemma is to stay put and finish what I have started. After earning a college degree I can entertain other career options. An alternative solution is to accept the offer from the competing company.

Analyzing the Solutions

The first solution can be considered as a safe decision to protect me from unnecessary risks. There are so many unknown variables with an alternative solution. To play on the safe side, it is best to stay put. However, tremendous opportunities await those who are unafraid to take the path less traveled. Thus, it is important to point out that generating the best solution to this problem requires additional information. To discover the best solution, it is imperative to confront my current employer regarding certain issues related to this problem. First, I will ask my current employer if they will promote me immediately after earning a college degree. Second, I will ask them the estimated value of my remuneration package after I am promoted.

I will also ask the competing company to answer a few questions. I will ask them about their timetable with regards to the need for a manager to earn a college degree or a Master’s degree. I will also ask them if they will let me go if I fail to earn a college degree.

Selecting the Best Solutions

If my current employer will assure me that I will be promoted after earning a college degree I will reconsider my options. I will choose my current employer if the coveted promotion and salary increase is assured. If the answer is in the negative, I will proceed to find out the response from the competing company. If the competing company will give me a few years to finish my college degree, I will transfer to that company after two weeks.

Planning the Next Course of Action

I will set up a meeting with my current employer, and I will ask them pertinent questions regarding the problem defined earlier. I will also call the representative of the competing company, and I will ask them pertinent questions regarding the problem defined earlier.

Conclusion

If my current employer will give the assurance that they will promote me and give me a salary increase, I will stay put. There are so many unknown variables in transferring to a new company. However, a negative answer will compel me to look for greener pastures. Nevertheless, I need assurance from the competing company that they will not fire me after failing to earn a college degree one year after signing the contract. If they will give me time to finish my college degree, I will use the $15,000 salary increase to my advantage. This decision is based on the fact that I am so close to completing my requirements for my college degree.

Reflection and Speculation

The problem-solving process provided by The Global Development Research Center is an effective tool that managers can use to help them solve future problems. This problem-solving framework enables managers to break down the problem into simpler parts to develop a step-by-step process in generating the best solutions. I realized that the failure to generate the best solution is due to the limiting factor created by preconceived notions (Rudinow & Barry, 2007). In this particular case, I made the initial assumption that the two employers are unwilling to negotiate. Once I realized that I can ask them questions and that I can negotiate with them, it was easier to generate the best solution for the problem.

References

Rudinow, J. & Barry, V. (2007). Invitation to critical thinking. CA: Thomson Higher Education.

The Global Development and Research Center. (2014). The problem solving process. Web.

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