Essay 2 Motivation: Imagine You Are Looking For A New Job

Essay 2 Motivationimagine You Are A Looking For A New Job You Are A

Imagine you are a recent college graduate with a lifelong love of literature, animals, and sports. You have received three job offers: a part-time local sports writer for a small newspaper with low pay and no benefits, a full-time sales representative for a decorative fixtures distributor with high pay and excellent benefits, and a full-time clerical assistant for a correspondence college with moderate pay and average benefits. Discuss which job you would choose and describe the motivation theories that best support your reasons for your decision. Discuss at least three motivation theories in your response.

Paper For Above instruction

Choosing the appropriate job offer as a recent college graduate involves analyzing personal motivations and aligning them with motivation theories. The decision between a part-time sports writing position, a high-paying sales role, and a clerical assistant job, can be understood through various motivation theories such as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, and Self-Determination Theory. Each provides a framework to ascertain which role would offer the most fulfilling and motivating experience based on individual values and needs.

Considering personal passions—literature, animals, and sports—the sports writer position appears immediately appealing. However, selecting this role requires weighing intrinsic motivation—driven by personal interest—and extrinsic factors like income and benefits. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, physiological and safety needs (such as salary and job security) form the foundation of motivation. The sports writer role, despite its passion alignment, offers low pay and no benefits, which may not satisfy safety needs fully. Conversely, the sales role, with its high pay and excellent benefits, better fulfills these needs, providing financial security which is essential before pursuing higher-level psychological and self-fulfillment needs. The clerical assistant role offers moderate pay and benefits, aligning with the middle of the hierarchy but perhaps lacking the satisfaction derived from personal interests.

Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory differentiates between motivators and hygiene factors. Motivators, such as recognition, achievement, and growth, can lead to job satisfaction. The sports writing job might serve as a motivator for individuals passionate about sports and literature, providing a sense of achievement and recognition. The sales role, although financially attractive, might lack intrinsic motivators related to personal passion, possibly leading to job dissatisfaction despite high extrinsic rewards. The clerical position might fulfill basic hygiene factors but lacks opportunities for intrinsic motivators, making it less likely to sustain high motivation over time.

Self-Determination Theory emphasizes autonomy, competence, and relatedness as critical drivers of intrinsic motivation. The sports writer position could foster a strong sense of relatedness through engagement with sports and community, and autonomy in content creation. However, low pay and benefits may hinder financial independence, with potential negative impacts on overall motivation. The sales role might offer autonomy in client interactions and the ability to succeed based on personal effort, aligning well with competence and autonomy aspects. Yet, if the role does not resonate with personal interests, intrinsic motivation might suffer. The clerical assistant job, likely providing less autonomy and fewer opportunities for competence development, may offer limited intrinsic motivation overall.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on which motivation theories resonate most with the individual's values. If personal passion and intrinsic satisfaction are prioritized, the sports writer position may be appealing despite its lower extrinsic rewards. If financial security is paramount, the high-paying sales role aligns with Maslow's safety needs, motivating the individual through extrinsic rewards. A balanced perspective might suggest accepting the sales position to meet safety needs while seeking opportunities to engage with personal passions on the side or in future career steps, emphasizing intrinsic motivation and personal fulfillment.

In conclusion, understanding individual motivation through these theories aids in making informed career choices. A strategic approach considers both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, balancing personal passions with financial and safety needs. The integration of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, and Self-Determination Theory provides a comprehensive framework to justify the choice among the job offers, emphasizing that motivation is a complex interplay of basic needs, motivators, and intrinsic drivers.

References

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The" what" and" why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.
  • Herzberg, F., Mausner, B., & Snyderman, B. B. (1959). The Motivation to Work. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-396.
  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
  • Latham, G. P., & Pinder, C. C. (2005). Work motivation theory and research at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Annual Review of Psychology, 56, 485-516.
  • Steel, P., & König, C. J. (2006). Integrating theories of motivation. Academy of Management Review, 31(4), 889-913.
  • Pink, D. H. (2009). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. Penguin.
  • Stajkovic, A. D., & Luthans, F. (2003). Behavioral management and task performance: A meta-analysis of the effects of positive reinforcement and goal setting. Personnel Psychology, 56(1), 155-184.
  • Vroom, V. H. (1964). Work and motivation. Wiley.
  • Kuvaas, B. (2006). Work motivation and performance appraisal satisfaction. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 17(3), 504-526.