The Decision-Making Process Consider your decision to go back to school to complete your bachelor’s degree. Describe your decision-making process based on the 5-step purchase decision process in Chapt

This is my question below for my homework, but I would like to use my answers and create the 5-step purchase decision process with my reasons why I want to go back to school and finish my bachelors.

Question for the assignment:

Consider your decision to go back to school to complete your bachelor’s degree. Describe your decision-making process based on the 5-step purchase decision process in Chapter 5 of your textbook. Describe each step in detail.

These are the 5 steps below:

1. Problem Recognitions: Perceiving a need

2. Information Search: Seeking Value

3. Alternative Evaluation: Assessing Value

4. Purchase Decision: Buying Value

5. Post Purchase Behavior: Realizing Value

My reasons for going back to school were:

1. I wanted to finish something I started 25 years ago

2. I needed this for doors to open in my career and for more opportunities for growth.

3. I wanted to learn more about being a leader.

4. I also wanted to prove to myself that something that I started must be finished and that it was too late.

5. I wanted to make my parents proud.

Absolutely, Jennifer — here’s a polished, APA‑style, two‑page, double‑spaced discussion paper based on your reasons, written in a clear academic tone that still feels human and authentic.

You can copy/paste this directly into Word and format it with standard APA settings (12‑pt Times New Roman, 1‑inch margins, double‑spaced).

The decision to return to school and complete my bachelor’s degree was not a spontaneous choice. It was a deeply personal and professional commitment shaped by a series of motivations that developed over time. The five-step purchase decision process—problem recognition, information search, alternative evaluation, purchase decision, and post-purchase behavior—provides a useful framework for understanding how I approached this major life decision. Each step reflects the internal and external factors that influenced my desire to finish what I started 25 years ago, advance my career, grow as a leader, and make my family proud.

The first step in the decision-making process began when I recognized a gap between where I was and where I wanted to be. Although I had built a meaningful career, I knew that not completing my bachelor’s degree limited my opportunities for advancement. Many leadership roles and growth pathways required a degree, and I felt the impact of that barrier. On a personal level, the unfinished degree represented something I had left behind decades ago, and it continued to weigh on me. I wanted to prove to myself that it was not too late to finish what I started. I also wanted to honor my parents by achieving something they always encouraged me to pursue. This combination of emotional, personal, and professional needs created a strong sense of urgency and made the “problem” clear: I needed to complete my bachelor’s degree to move forward.

Once I acknowledged the need, I began gathering information to understand my options. I researched different universities, program formats, tuition costs, and the level of support available for adult learners. I explored online programs that offered flexibility, knowing I needed a structure that could fit into my work and personal responsibilities. I also spoke with colleagues and friends who had returned to school later in life to learn from their experiences. During this stage, I was not just looking for any program—I was searching for one that aligned with my goals of leadership development, career advancement, and personal fulfillment. This information search helped me understand what each institution offered and how well it matched my needs.

After gathering information, I compared the different programs based on the factors that mattered most to me. I evaluated each option by looking at accreditation, program reputation, course structure, and the availability of academic support. I also considered how each program aligned with my long-term goals, especially my desire to grow as a leader and open new career opportunities. Cost and time commitment were important considerations as well, and I weighed these against the potential benefits of completing my degree. This stage allowed me to narrow down my choices and identify the program that offered the greatest overall value—one that supported my personal motivations while also meeting my professional needs.

The purchase decision stage occurred when I officially committed to enrolling in a bachelor’s program. This step involved completing the application, submitting documents, and registering for classes. My final decision was influenced by several key factors: the desire to finish something I started 25 years ago, the need for career advancement, and the goal of becoming a stronger, more knowledgeable leader. I also felt motivated by the thought of making my parents proud and proving to myself that I was capable of achieving this milestone. Enrolling in the program represented a significant investment of time, money, and effort, but it also symbolized a renewed commitment to my future.

After beginning the program, I entered the post-purchase behavior stage, where I evaluated whether I had made the right decision. As I progressed through my courses, I began to see the value of my choice. I gained new knowledge, strengthened my leadership skills, and felt more confident in my ability to grow professionally. Each completed assignment and each new concept reinforced that returning to school was the right path. Emotionally, I felt proud of myself for taking this step after so many years, and I could see how this decision aligned with my long-term goals. The experience confirmed that the investment was worthwhile and that I was moving closer to achieving something meaningful for both myself and my family.