FACTORS AFFECTING THE COLLEGE COURSE PREFERENCE OF GRADE

12 HUMSS STUDENT AT BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

A Research Paper

Presented to the Faculty of

Senior High Department

BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

In Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

by:

ACEBES, JOHN LLOYD R.

DABU, ARA R.

PEREZ, IRISH JOVEL B.

ROVIRA, CHYNNA MAE G.

SIMBAJON, JOANNA MAY G.

MARCH 2020
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Senior High School students need a lot of professional advice especially

when it comes in choosing their careers. Nowadays, choosing the perfect career

that will fit is one of the most important and crucial decision that every person has

to make and where students are advised to prepare for their future worthwhile

occupations. This can be one of the measures whether an individual will be

successful in the future or not. At this stage, self-realization, occupational

explorations in schools, and finding the first job is the tentative step.

According to DepEd (2015), the K-12 Program implementation started on

batch 2011-2012, and the first batch of students to go through K-12 will graduate

in March 2018. The K-12 Program is found to be adequate period for learning

under basic education and its distinction requirement of professionals and non-

professionals in our country and in foreign Asian or Non-Asian countries. It offers

a balanced approach to learning that will enable children and students to acquire,

know and learn more skills in different fields of education taking up the vocational

and later professional degree courses.

The number of degree holder was now decreasing because of the different

circumstances that they faced during the days that they are trying to step up in

their lives. A survey from the DepEd shows that out of 100 students studying in

elementary, only 80 of them will graduate and those 80 students may be

the 30 of them can only proceed to college and some of them can finish college

and Masteral Degree courses.

The K-12 program of the government will allow students to have mastery of

competence and enable them to cope up with the lessons. The curriculum were

enriched to the local needs of students to be responsive on choosing

specialization that would suit their field of interests. The present curriculum offers

a more balanced approach that students may acquire and master their life-long

interests and learning skills for livelihood income approaching 21 st century. The

K-12 education also help graduated students the skills needed in the labor

market and prepare responsibilities and opportunity to be accepted and work to

the skills that they acquired.

Particularly, after finishing the K-12 in the senior year, graduated students

were awarded certificate of competence and national certificate showing a proof

that allows them to have middle level skills and will be offered a better

opportunity to be employed and later become young entrepreneur.

“If there is a will there is a way” (Herbert,1820) In choosing a career,

suitability to the interest of the students is given importance. Students must know

what degree to pursue in college, one that fit their abilities so that it will not be

hard for them to choose the right career path. The kind of career a person

decided has an affect to their lives in a great number of ways. The career also

affects the way other people act towards you. By making a wise career decision

can help one’s self build the life they want.

the right course suited to their personality, ability and intellect serves as their

guide in the course they are to take in college. Experiencing the career suited to

students by integrating career plan with the curriculum help students make good

decisions in what course to take in college. The researchers believe that students

who graduated from college with the course suited for them would even have a

higher percentage of having a job. Therefore, this study intends to determine the

factors affecting the college course preference among senior high school

students of Bestlink College of the Philippines. These factors serve as the

preference of students in choosing a college course which includes the parental

influence, environment, personal choice and peers influence.

1.2.STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to deduce the perception of grade 12 students regarding

the Senior High School Program of the DepEd. Furthermore, the study aims to

determine the plans of the grade 10 students with regard to the K to 12 academic

program and their opinion about its implementation. Specifically it answers the

following questions:

1.How does the student-respondents of Grade 12 HUMSS can be describe in

terms of:

1.1. Gender?:
 1.2 Age?: and

1.3 Socio-economic status of the family?

2. What are the factors affecting the students in choosing their preferred

course for senior high school? In terms of:

2.1. Parental Influence

2.2. Environment

2.3. Personal choice and

2.4. Peers influence

3. What are the problems encountered by students in making their career

choice?

3.1. Financial

3.2. Social

3.3. Physical and Health

3.4. Academic Performance

3.5. Distance to school

1.3.ASSUMPTION

The Researcher asummed the following:

1. The researcher’s study is rational and dependable.

2. Students help to obtain the right course to attend with.

their future references.

4. They can be aware of what course they would be taking in college and to

avoid job mismatch.

5. Student can assimilate the courses for their in-line skills.

6. The respondents will consider the factors that can influence the way they take

their courses.

7. It can motivate respondent to choose the right path that is suitable in their

proficiency.

8. The student will recognize what they really want especially in their job and

passion.

1.4.SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Education is the totality of learning acquired by individual which is

inherited from one generation to another, while career is serve as its application.

The collaboration of these two fields plays a key in improving individual’s

competence and professionalism and serve as their personal achievement.

Therefore, this study is deemed significant to the following stakeholder for the

following reasons:

Students. they are the center of the research because ultimately,

they develop the awareness of themselves, strength, and weaknesses of

what they are learning from home, school, and community. Students are in

charge of their own choices.

Parents. In this study, parents will realize how important they are

as a source of encouragement in which children are free to explore

different areas of career preferences. This helps in giving their children an

assurance to acquire quality education that would enable them to obtain

better job, better income, and brighter future.

Teacher. This study will give information to the teachers of BCP as

to the preferences of students such that they can focus on the skills

needed by the students if ever the latter would pursue the career they

have chosen.

School Administration. The result of this study will help the school

administration in putting up an effective, efficient integrated career

information and guidance system that plays a very helpful role in guiding

students towards making the best possible career decisions.

Researcher. The process and outcome of this study will produce a

great satisfaction, competence, and professionalism to the field.

1.5.SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study was an investigation on the factors affecting the choices of the

students under K-12 on what career path they would take for college. The study

was only limited to the Grade 12 students of the Bestlink College of the
Philippines. This study mainly focused on the factors affecting: the profile of the

students, parental and peers influence, environment and personal choice.

1.6.DEFINITION OF TERMS

Career- a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially

in public, professional, or business life. In this study, career is the application of

education whereby it is the totality of acquired knowledge.

Environment- the feeling of the student in his/her surroundings which makes

him/her think of the things that he/she could help in the community.

Parental Influence- this is the effect of the parents to their students in choosing

their preferred academic tracks in senior high school.

Peers influence- is the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an

individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by changing their attitudes,

values or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual.

This can result in either a positive or negative effect, or both.

Personal Choice- Freedom is a personal choice of the person. Young people

are encouraged to make personal choices about their personal appearance and

clothing, with support and advice from careers.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents a review of related studies and literature regarding

the Factors Affecting the College Course Preference of Grade 12 Humss Student

at Bestlink College of the Philippines.

Related Literature The purpose of this review of literature is to

establish the facts which are already known from previous researches.

Foreign. Petrilli (2014) shared that people who graduated from college

earn more than those who do not. It also indicates that low-income students

becoming nearly three times to likely choose the job that will benefit them into

making large amount of money.

Melone (2014) claimed that choosing the right career path is one of the

most important things you can do for yourself and your family. Whether you are

choosing your first career, finding something that you enjoy and excel at can do

wonders to improve your whole life. While no job is never perfect, there are some

factors that you should consider to help ensure you get into the right career for

you. one of these are; Interest, career opportunities, and education and training.

these are the factors that Melone said to be the main considerations of students

in taking up a course.
 Wolf(2014) stated that there are many factors to consider when evaluating

courses for college. It is up to you and your family to determine which criteria is

most relevant for you. Some criteria are “make or break”, one thing that colleges

on your list must have in order for you to consider them; others would be

desirable to have but they are not mandatory.

Su, Chang, Wu and Liao (2016) showed that students’ career decision-

making is most deeply affected by “personal factor”, next are “group factor” and

“career exploration factor”, and “school factor” has lowest affecting level to them.

Students of large-sized schools with taking household affairs courses who will be

easily affected by personal factor of career decision-making.

Kaneez and Medha (2018) supported that parental influence have

significant effect on the career choice of their children .

Local. Limpahan (2014) emphasized that college is all about preparing

for the real world, and choosing the right college course is the best preparation

one can have. Why make a big thing of a college course? Well, most students go

to school to secure the bright future for themselves and their families at the same

time, a college course can pre-determine the professional identity one may have

for life.

Pascual (2014) considered that the involvement of family, school

administrators and guidance counselor to help students make good career

choice in the future. Respect for family is one of the most influential factors that

impact Filipino student’s career decision. Aside from family realted factors,
economic factors which includes the employability and availability of job in the

future is also considered by students.

Bacani (2014) The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is advising

incoming college students to go for "priority courses" for them to get financial

assistance and to land in-demand jobs that could help spur economic growth.

According to the new list, the priority courses are those in the fields of agriculture,

engineering, science and math, information technology, teacher education,

health sciences, arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, business

administration, architecture, maritime and communication. Skills and jobs that

match the projected employment requirements of key industries until 2020.

Del Norte (2014) asserted that choosing a course carefully is an

important aspect which will give conclusion to a student’s academic endeavor.

The researchers have decided to make a study about the factors that graduating

high school students consider in choosing a college course.The researchers

provides the information that will cover various factors such as: having better job

opportunities, pursuing your passion, etc. This research will help students and

parents alike in choosing a course.

Hanna (2015) concluded that picking a college to attend is only half of the

decision, though. The other half involves choosing an actual course to pursue.

Seniors trooping to various university campuses for taking their entrance exams.

After all, that is a major step in being able to attend the college of their choice.
Related Studies The purpose of this review of related studies is to provide an

overview of previous research on knowledge about the factors affecting the

course preference of graduating students.

Foreign. Alphamama (2014) concluded that some students do not

seriously consider many alternative choices in career selection. Sources of

influence, such as parents or role model in life could be brought into a circle of

counseling and discussion to help student form a comprehensive career plan or

outline.

Otpeng (2015) found out that career choice is a complex decision for

people since it determines the kind of profession that they intend to pursue in life.

For some people an interest is of such importance in their life that it is the main

influence on their career choice.

Edwards and Quinter (2014) stated that the main objective of this

study was to find the factors influencing career choice.

Sanchez (2016) observed that having a solid application will lead you to

the right path, enrolling into college with the help and knowledge from high

school is a great resource, rather than depending on yourself to create a

phenomenal college application.

Shumba and Naong (2015) believed that several studies show that new

students all over the world are usually faced in making career choice decision in
their lives. Mothers were cited as partiscularly influential because they provide

support that eases children’s apprehension about careers.

Local. Charmaine (2014) expressed that career planning may be

considered as one of the most important paths in an individual’s life, which leads

to making informed career decisions or choices for choosing the appropriate

college course for them.

Mendras (2014) discussed that the most difficult decisions for them to

make are the choice of college institutions to attend, and also what course

preference to take. For students who see themselves attending in a university,

the assessment process perhaps undertakes high priority especially nowadays

that the higher education has transformed in many ways. Choosing a course

carefully is an important aspect which will give conclusion to a student’s

academic struggle.

Alimorong, Tansiking, Lagasca, Lazo, Manansala, Madayag (2014)

found out that when students decides a fit career for them, job opportunities or

high is important because it impacts the level of student’s personal satisfaction

and personal growth or development opportunities. Jobs with great salaries will

benefit them financially, the results showed that most students thought that high

employability or job opportunities is a great contributory factor why they chose

such field or career.

study as interesting and not too difficult at all but the course includes several

confusing subjects, even the curriculum is highly anticipated by the graduating

students due to its social relevance .The researcher considered it as a possible

factor in choosing a course in college.

Lacozta (2014) pointed out that students also make choices that

determine their living expenses whether to live on campus or at home. They

concoct whatever difference exist between their family’s resources and their total

student budget through a combination of work, student loans, and commercial

credit.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

There are so many factors which influence the student to choose the appropriate

course preference to take in college. Let’s talk about the most important and

influence factors. First one is influence by the environment, every person plays

different roles in their lives, a student, a child, an individual and every person

thinks about these different roles and decides which role will be the most

important for them. The decision they make will influence the course preference

that they will choose in college. Personality and Interests, we are all different. We

have different tastes, passion, and character. Someone’s success at the

particular job is being enthusiastic in their preferred job. finding what is

someone's capability, wants and needs, and the suitable path that can be used
for them to choose the career that they want. Different Life Roles, if someone has

a positive role model in life it will definitely influence a person to choose his

career. The role model will influence a person to pursue things like what person

sees from them. Some person wants to see a proven success in order to gain

inspiration. In fact, it is a great idea to focus on the work with proven success as

well as with positive self-esteem for most of us. Cultural Background, the cultural

background of the person as well as his local area and ethnic group can

influence a person's choices in life. besides, family of the person and community

also can become the factors which can determine someone’s college courses.

Person’s expectations and life values are always according to the situational

issue, and they have connections with different parts of our lives. Understanding

of the nature of our expectations and values can help us to understand our

personality and make a right course to take in college. Economic and Social

Conditions of Life, college course choices always lie in the context of the

economic and social issues. And it is natural. Sometimes we can’t choose the

society in which we have to live, but we can choose the way we live our life.

Different situations and conditions which take place in our economic and social

lives give us a accurate choices and have a certain effect on it to our personal

choices. Financial Aspect, for many of us, money which we can earn is the most

important factor which influences on the choices to choose the course we want in

college. This is not surprising. We have to pay for everything that we have in our

lives. But everyone has different needs and ways of life that’s why think twice

when considering the job which will not allow living as you like and make a
correct and reasonable choice that will rendered us to job mismatch. Finding the

Best Career, along with the realistic factors, there are issues which can influence

someone’s college. It’s important to choose the career which will bring

satisfactory in life. Find your career passion and the work will always be a joy.

You have to choose something passionately for you. Find out what can inspire

you and follow your inspiration. Answer the simple question “is this career will

help me to be the person I've always dreamed of?”. If you are confused with your

choice, just take some break and clarify your thoughts. So choosing the course

preference is perhaps the most important decision in our lives. That’s why we

have to think well and weigh all the pro's and con's. We have to think our

capabilities, abilities, interest, passion and what we will contribute to help society

strengthen for the next generation.

INPUT OUTPUT
PROCESS
1.Profile of grade 12
Humss student in
terms of: Gathering of
questionairres.
a) Gender
b) Age
A strategic
c) Socio- Analysis ofintervention
the profile material
economic
of the respondents.
to guide the Grade 12
status of status
of the family HUMSS student in
2. Factors affecting their course
the course preference Identifying preference
the factors in college
of the students. affecting the course
preferences
3.problems
encountered by
students in making
their career choice?

FEEDBACK
The students will be aware for the college
courses that will suite in their personal life
and to avoid job conflict or mismatch.

The focus of this study will be undertaken by the following paradigm of the

study which has a three part process: Input, Process and Output.
1. Inputs are the following: Respondents profile- Age, Gender and Socio-

economic status of their family. And the factors affecting in their

preferred course and also the problems or challenges that the

respondents encountered by making in career choice.

2. Process includes the Analysis of Data, Questionnaire and Collection of

Data of the Respondents.

3. Output is the proposal plan that eases the confusion of Grade 12

HUMSS students in choosing their college course.