Lipa City Colleges LCC Student Research Journal

Unpublished Sources: FACTORS AFFECTING CAREER TRACK PREFERENCES OF SENIOR HIGH

SCHOOL STUDENTS OF LIPA CITY COLLEGES (LCC) ACADEMIC YEAR
Aguire, Fagora, Lupac and Isaac, “Determinate Affecting the Decrease of 2017-2018
Enrollment of Lipa City Colleges of Nursing: Its implication to
Marketing Program” GLYDEL ANN M. BAUTISTA │JHENVER KEN V. CAPONPON
EDSEL E. DE SILVA │MAIRABERNETTE M. MERCADO
Daddies, Christopher, “Influence of close friends on the Boundaries of Adolescent RODANTE H. ORTEGA, JR. │ARIANNE E. REYES
Personal Authority” VANESSA B. RUELES │REYMART A. TOLENTINO
Douglas, Arvin J. and Sheperd, Dean A, “ Self-employment as a career choice: ABSTRACT
Attitudes, Entrepreneurial Intentions, and Utility Maximization”Saemann &
Crooker, 2003: Strasser et al., 2002; Zhang, 2007) This study aims to identify the factors affecting career track preferences of SHS
Hodkinson, Phil and Sparkes, Andrew, “ Careership: a Sociological Theory of Career students of Lipa City Colleges for Academic Year 2017-2018. The researchers examined
Decision Making” the socio-demographic characteristics of the SHS students and factors that affect students
Priyanka Anand, Alejandra Mizala and Andrea Repetto, “Using School Scholarships in choosing a career in College. The study tested two hypotheses such as there is no
to estimate the effect of private education on the academic achievement of low-
significant difference on the assessment of the senior high school student respondents on
income students in chile”.
the factors affecting their career track and strand choices and there is no significant
Tolentino, Garcia, Restubog et al. “Validation of the Career Adaptabilities Scale
and an Examination of a model of Career Adaption in the Philippine Context” relationship between the profile of the senior high school students-respondents and their
assessment on the factors affecting their career track and strand choices. The research
respondents in this study are the chosen Grade 11 and 12 students of Senior High School
Department of Lipa City Colleges of Academic Year 2017-2018. From the total of 1832
population of Senior High School students, the researchers used sampling method which
composed of one- hundred twenty four (124) Grade 11 students and one-hundred thirty
eight (138) Grade 12 students.
For this study, a survey rating scale/questionnaire was used to gather the
respondents’ feedback. Convenience random sampling was used by the researchers to get
the necessary information needed.
The study concluded that students’ career success can be best attained if the
right course suited to their personality, ability and intellect serves as their guide in
choosing the course they are to take in college. The students should also understand the
important factors they have to consider in choosing a course.The perceptions of the SHS
Student-Respondents on the factors affecting their career track has high significant
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difference in terms of job opportunity. The perceptions of the SHS student-respondents different companies. Misfit graduates are one of the considered reasons why the country
on the factors affecting their career track have high significant relationships when has high unemployment and underemployment rate. The reasons could be either that the
grouped according to their age, sex and year level. produced course of graduates misfit the demand of the present economy, or the graduates
do not poses the characteristics required by the industries in need.
Keywords: career preference, SHS choice, career track With this apparent problem on education, the government, particularly the
Department of Education has made the historic implementation of shifting the 10 year
INTRODUCTION basic education curriculum to the Kinder to 12 Program in phases, which considered a
Educational status is very bit essential to the progress of one country’s economy. major reform in the curriculum for all schools nationwide. The program has a goal for the
According to Martin Luther King (1964), “The function of education is to teach one to “Development of a holistically developed Filipino with the 21st century skills who are
think intensively and to think critically. Intelligent plus character – that is the goal of the ready for employment, entrepreneurship, middlelevel skills development and higher
education.” This only means that attaining knowledge is not only about how easy or how education upon graduation from Grade 12” (The K to 12 Basic Education Program,
difficult the academic subjects are. 2012).
Our country suffers from multifarious crisis such as socio economic, political, This reform includes decongesting and enhancing the basic education
and as well as financial crisis which is greatly affected by global economic crisis. Despite curriculum for learners to master basic competencies, lengthening the cycle of basic
of these entire crisis Filipinos are imaginative,creative and courageous surpass these education to cover kindergarten through year 12. By prolonging the basic education, that
obstacles in everyday life. Filipinos are known to be competitive in the international is, adding kindergarten and two years in high school, the program ensure that graduates
community. However, the current education system hinders Filipino from becoming more earned the necessary skills and reach the legal age for employment to qualify entrance
competitive. into the world of work. (SEAMEO INNOTECH, 2012)
The Philippines is one of the three (3) countries remaining in the world, namely The newest addition and one of the main highlights of K-12 curriculum is the
Djibouti and Angola in Africa, and the only remaining country in Asia with a 10-year Career Pathways, more known as tracks. It offers opportunities for specialization in
pre-university program. This short period makes it difficult for Filipino to be competitive Academic Track, Technical-Vocational Livelihood Track, Arts and Design Track and
with other countries that have at least 12 years of basic education. The majority who do Sports Track. The students may choose based on aptitude, interest and school capacity.
not go to college are too young to enter the labor force, thus, they would either be The choice of the career track will determine the content of the subjects the student will
unemployed to set up businesses or cannot legally enter into contracts. take Senior High School as preparation for his/her career.
It is that January 2013, the Philippines has 7.1 % unemployment rate, the highest Career preferences are free opportunity to select a desired career. It is also a
in the countries from the SouthEast Asia Nations and from which, 16.9% of which are decision-making process in a confusing situation which usually occurs during the senior
college graduates. Unemployment rate in the country is commonly associated with the year high school level. According to Tiedeman (1976), career development unfolds
Misfit graduates produced by Universities and colleges and the workforce needed by within the general process of cognitive development as one resolves ego-relevant crises.
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As today’s implementation, several factors are considered that could affect the The research respondents in this study are the chosen Grade 11 and 12 students
senior high school student’s course preference. These factors are the senior high school of Senior High School Department of Lipa City Colleges of Academic Year 2017-2018.
student’s interest, family and relatives, passion and personality and job opportunity. From the total of 1832population of Senior High School students, the researchers used
Family and Relatives, they all give a big contribution in choosing the strand or sampling method which composed of one- hundred twenty four (124) Grade 11 students
course of their children. The tendency of the student is to follow the footsteps of their and one-hundred thirty eight (138) Grade 12 students.
parents, in order for them to be on the same field just like their mother or father. For this study, a survey rating scale/questionnaire was used to gather the
Each and every student has their own different passion and personality. The respondents’ feedback. The draft of the questionnaire was drawn out based on the
students choose the track that what they love to do in a job in the future and match their researcher’s readings, previous studies, professional literature, published and unpublished
characteristics on who they want to possess someday. This factor affects the student in thesis relevant to study.
choosing their track because they will find gratitude and happiness on their chosen career.
Job Opportunity can also be a factor to affect the students in choosing their RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
strand. In-demand jobs and profession that offers high salary and good benefits makes a Table 1
SHS Student –Respondents Responses on the Career or Field to Specialize After
great attraction to the students that would lead them to choose the track where this
Graduating Grade 12
career/profession aligned. Career/Field Grade 11 Grade 12
F P Rank F P Rank
Therefore, researchers conducted a study to determine the factors affecting Human Resources 4 3.23 9 6 4.35 7.5
Marketing Management 32 25.81 1.5 8 5.80 5.5
career preferences among senior high school students of Lipa City Colleges academic Accountancy 12 9.68 4 12 8.70 4
Financial Management 4 3.23 9 4 2.90 9.5
year 2017-2018. These factors served as bases of the student in choosing their career in Information Technology 0 0 16.5 20 14.49 2
college includes interest of the senior high school students, family and relatives, passion Computer Science 0 0 16.5 2 1.45 16
Computer Engineering 8 6.45 6 16 11.59 3
and personality and job opportunity are presumed to affect the student’s preferences of Civil Engineering 32 25.81 1.5 8 5.80 5.5
Industrial Engineering 12 9.68 4 0 0 16
their career. Medicine 4 3.23 9 0 0 16
Nursing 12 9.68 4 2 1.45 16
Hospitality Management 0 0 16.5 4 2.90 9.5
Tourism 4 3.23 9 2 1.45 16
METHODOLOGY
Criminology 0 0 16.5 36 26.09 1
This study utilized the descriptive method of research to determine the factors Psychology 0 0 16.5 6 4.35 7.5
Education 0 0 16.5 2 1.45 16
that affect the senior high school track preference of Lipa City Colleges of the Academic Military 0 0 16.5 2 1.45 16
Architecture 0 0 16.5 2 1.45 16
Year 2017-2018. It would see if dependent variables relating to interest, family/relatives, Aircraft Mechanics 4 3.23 9 2 1.45 16
passion/personality and job opportunities were significant factors influencing the track Agriculture 0 0 16.5 2 1.45 16
Marine Transportation Engineering 0 0 16.5 2 1.45 16
preferences of the respondents. This descriptive research would use quantitative methods Total 124 100 138 100
Legend: F = Frequency P = Percentage
to assess the feedback from the respondents.
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Table 1 shows the fields of study of the respondents, 32 out of 124 Grade 11- Skills and Values are the most influential factors in coming chosen occupation by the
respondents or 25.81% at ranks 1.5 answered that Marketing Management and Civil students. Meanwhile, the said respondents agreed that an experience inspires their interest
Engineering were the career or field that they want to specialized after graduating Grade from this career with the least weighted mean of 3.94 and least rank of 4.
12, the highest while four or 3.23% at rank 9 answered Human Resources, Financial On the part of the Grade 12-student-respondents, they answered that they
Management, Medicine, Tourism and Aircraft Mechanics. agreedand are particularly interested in the career that they will pursue from this track
For Grade 12 – respondents, 36 or 26.09% at rank 1 answered Criminology which yielded the highest weighted mean of 4.13 and the highest rank of 1. On the other
while Computer Science, Nursing, Tourism, Education, Military, Architecture, Aircraft hand, the said students agreed that an experience inspires their interest from this career
Mechanics, Agriculture and Marine Transportation Engineering. which gained the least weighted mean of 3.71 and least rank of 4. The composite means
of 4.18 for the Grade 11 and 3.93 for the Grade 12 concluded that they agreed that their
Table 2 career track was affected by their personal interests which were patterned by SCCT
Perceptions of the SHS Student-Respondents on the Factors
model.
Affecting their Career Track Preferences In Terms of Interests
Items Grade 11 Grade 12 Table 3
WM VI R WM VI R Perceptions of the SHS Student-Respondents on the Factors Affecting their Career
1. I am particularly interested in the career that I will pursue 4.45 SA 1 4.13 A 1
from this track. Track Preferences In Terms of Family and Relatives
2. I like doing things related to the career that I will 4.10 A 3 4.01 A 2 Items Grade 11 Grade 12
specialize in this track. WM VI R WM VI R
3. An experience inspires my interest from this career. 3.94 A 4 3.71 A 4 1. My parents and/or relatives took career that is the same 3.10 MA 2 2.83 MA 4
4. I see myself competent in the career that I’ll pursue from 4.23 SA 2 3.86 A 3 with the career that I am pursuing.
this track. 2. Preferences are made by a relative since they will provide 2.90 MA 4 3.13 MA 2
for my expenses.
Composite Mean 4.18 A 3.93 A
Legend: SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree WM = Weighted Mean R = Rank 3. My family will give me support on my chosen career. 4.74 SA 1 4.33 SA 1
VI = Verbal Interpretation 4. I believe that they are the one who are responsible to choose 3.00 MA 3 3.07 MA 3
a career for me since they know what is the best for me.
Composite Mean 3.44 A 3.34 MA
Most students, when making career choices, will say “I want something Legend: SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree MA = Moderately Agree
WM = Weighted Mean R = Rank VI = Verbal Interpretation
interesting”. The interests have already influenced many choices that a person has made,
from the choice of breakfast in the morning to the late-night movie to watch before going
Many Filipinos do take upon the parents’ or relatives’ suggestion on what they
to bed. And those are likely to have similar influence to career choice, the main emphasis
should specialize when they grow up. Sometimes they suggest careers that wouldn’t cost
on choosing a Track.
that much, and at the same time, are stable sources of income. As cited in Table 3, the
As shown in Table 2, the Grade 11-student-respondents strongly agreedthat they
Grade 11-student-respondents strongly agreed that their family will give them support on
are particularly interested in the career that they will pursue from this track which made
their chosen career which obtained the highest weighted mean of 4.74 and the highest
the highest weighted mean of 4.45 and the highest rank of 1. Furthermore, this was
rank of 1. This factor influenced the student’s choice on his Track. The choice of career
supported by related literature PABITION (2007) stated that Personal Interest, Abilities,
of the students is being influenced by some factors from the social environment, mainly
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the parents as immediate family who plays an active role in choosing the right education In addition, it is cited in an online blog article by Angerman, family background
for their children (Pafili & Mylonakis, 2011). As a sign of respect for the parents and is one of the major factors to examine for those who seek career guidance. When talking
culture of the Filipinos, parents or the elderly are being consulted first by their children about “family background” issues, the extent of influence of the parents and the extended
because primarily they will be the one to provide the financial support to enter in college family has on the person is at focus – both at positive and negative ways. This includes
(Laguador, 2013). On the contrary, the said respondents moderately agreed only that their the place where he grew up, the economic realities facing the family, illness, the
preferences are made by a relative since they will provide for their expenses which got countries of origin, among others (Angerman, 2009
the least weighted mean of 2.90 and the least rank of 4.
Table 4
For the Grade 12 –student-respondents, strongly agreed that their family will
Perceptions of the SHS Student-Respondents on the Factors Affecting their Career
give them support on their chosen career which yielded the highest weighted mean of Track Preferences In Terms of Personality
Items Grade 11 Grade 12
4.33 and the highest rank of 1.For practicality reasons, it is also reported that parents WM VI R WM VI R
1. My personality fits best with the career that I am 3.97 A 4 3.87 A 2
usually encourage careers that will not cost much money, but at the same time, are stable planning to take from this track.
sources of income. Careers in nursing, accounting, and engineering are highly popular for 2. My traits will give me an advantage on landing to the 4.03 A 3 3.86 A 3
career that I want to pursue.
Filipino families (Saysay, 2011). Meanwhile, they moderately agreed that their parents 3. I am more productive to the career that I will practice 4.10 A 2 3.81 A 4
because of my traits.
and/or relatives took career that is the same with the career that they are pursuing with a 4. My attributes is ideal for the career that I will be 4.23 SA 1 4.09 A 1
focusing on.
weighted mean of 2.83 and a rank of 4. Composite Mean 4.08 A 3.91 A
Legend: SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree WM = Weighted Mean
The composite means of 3.44 for the Grade 11 and 3.34 for the Grade 12 R=Rank VI = Verbal Interpretation
generalized that they agreed and moderately agreed, respectively that their career track
Some students believe that their understanding of their traits give them an edge
was affected by their family and relatives.As a sign of respect, Filipino children want to
in landing in his pursued career (Rank 3). Meanwhile, they agreed that their personality
do well for the sake of the family, follow parent’s advice about choosing a job or major in
fits best with the career that they are planning to take from this track with the least
college and lastly, make sacrifices for the family (Finlayson, 2009).
weighted mean of 3.97 and the least rank of 4. The composite mean of 4.08 meant that
The totality mean of 3.44 meant that the family/relatives somewhat influenced
Personality influenced the students’ track preference. Students do consider personality as
the track preference of the students. The results from the Socioeconomic Profile of the
factors, but most of them didn’t let it influence their decisions that much, on a possibility
Students presented the High socioeconomic level of the students’ families, the parents’
that they can adjust to the occupation or career that they will be focusing on. Personality
educational status being college graduates, and the parent’s occupations which the
helps a person in finding the career that he is inherently suited in (Adecco UK, 2015). As
majority having White- Collar jobs which could assure their students of at least college
his characteristics define his behavior at work, this may affect his productivity.
supports. It would imply that the students can think less on worrying on sustaining
On the part of the Grade 12 student-respondents, they agreed that their attributes
college support themselves.
is ideal for the career that they will be focusing on as shown by the highest obtained

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weighted mean of 4.09 and the highest rank of 1. On the other hand, they also agreed that about promotions and job openings before anyone else, and identify ways of expanding
they are more productive to the career that they will practice because of their traits which the knowledge and skills needed for that career. Meanwhile, the said respondents also
made the least weighted mean of 3.81 and the least rank of 4. strongly agreed that the career that they will pursue is timely and in-demand with the
The composite means of 4.08 for the Grade 11 and 3.91 for the Grade 12 least weighted mean of 4.26 and the least rank of 4.
signified that they agreed that their personality affects their career track preference. For the Grade 12 student-respondents, they agreed that there are lots of
However, there has been a lot of talk whether or not passion is the sole way for choosing opportunities that they can avail from the career that they will pursue as shown by the
an individual’s career path. But there are other significant factors that can influence the highest gained weighted mean of 4.13 and the highest rank of 1. On the contrary, the least
career path, not just passion. Several recent studies shows that understanding the item which was also agreed by the said respondents was on the career that they will
personality the individual’s own traits and characteristics, rather than passion, are a key pursue is timely and in-demand with a weighted mean of 4.01 and a rank of 4.
to career fulfillment and success. The composite means of 4.45 for the Grade 11 and 4.07 for the Grade 12
justified that they strongly agreed and agreed, respectively that job opportunity affects
Table 5 their career track preference.
Perceptions of the SHS Student-Respondents on the Factors Affecting their Career
Track PreferencesIn Terms of Job Opportunity
Items Grade 11 Grade 12 Table 6
WM VI R WM VI R Difference on the Perceptions of the SHS Student-Respondents on the Factors
1. There are lots of opportunities that I can avail from 4.39 SA 3 4.13 A 1
the career that I will pursue. Affecting Their Career Track
2. The track that I chose will help me easily find a 4.55 SA 2 4.09 A 2
suitable career in the future. Variables t-value p-value Decision Interpretation
3. The career that I will pursue is timely and in-demand. 4.26 SA 4 4.01 A 4 Interest 1.804 0.0411 Reject Ho Significant
4. I am fully aware on the opportunities that surround 4.58 SA 1 4.06 A 3 Family and Relatives 0.173 0.3756 Accept Ho Not Significant
the career that I will seek. Personality 1.944 0.0398 Reject Ho Significant
Composite Mean 4.45 SA 4.07 A Job Opportunity 4.656 0.0035 Reject Ho Highly Significant
Legend: SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree WM = Weighted Mean
R=Rank VI = Verbal Interpretation
As seen in the table, the computed t-value of 4.656 has a corresponding p-value
There are many opportunities that wait for every career that one wants to pursue. of 0.0035 was less than the p-value of 0.01, thus rejecting the null hypothesis. In addition,
Some people may stumble upon better occupation opportunities, thanks to the strategies the computed t-values of 1.804 for interest and 1.944 for personality have p-values of
and steps that they follow. Investigating for career opportunities is well worth taking time 0.0411 and 0.0398, respectively were less than the p-value of 0.05, thus rejecting also the
(Mind Tools,2014). null hypothesis.
As seen in Table 5, the Grade 11 student-respondents strongly agreed that they On the other hand, the computed t-value of 0.173 for family and relatives has a
are fully aware on the opportunities that surround the career that they will seek as given p-value of 0.3756 which was greater than the p-value of 0.05, thus accepting the null
by the highest weighted mean of 4.58 and the highest rank of 1. By doing this, one can hypothesis.
discover opportunities that are perfectly matched to his/her interests or skills, find out
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These safely implied that the perceptions of the SHS Student-Respondents on RECOMMENDATIONS
the factors affecting their career track has high significant difference in terms of job From the findings and conclusion of the study, the following recommendations are
opportunity; significant differences in terms of interest and personality; and no significant hereby presented:
difference in terms of family and relatives. 1. Children should be properly guided, taught and assisted from their young age for
them to undergo necessary preparation to pursue the most appropriate courses
Table 7 for them.
Relationship Between the Profile of the SHS Student-Respondents and Their
2. Career and Track course options are to be provided to the students as early as
Perceptions on the Factors Affecting Their Career Track
possible so that they will not be misled with information that they will acquire in
Variables t-value p-value Decision Interpretation
Age 4.822 0.0081 Reject Ho Highly Significant choosing their future career.
Sex 3.731 0.0099 Reject Ho Highly Significant
Grade Level 5.944 0.0078 Reject Ho Highly Significant
3. Information seminar is to be developed so that the students may know essential
information regarding careers, annual incomes, personal information awareness
As given in the table, the correlated t-values were 4.822 for age, 3.731 for sex, and
and the like.
5.944 for grade level with corresponding p-values of 0.0081, 0.0099 and 0.0078,
4. Lipa City College must increase the scholarship grants / offers to in order to help
respectively were less than the p-value of 0.01, thus rejecting the null hypothesis.
students to continue their studies.
These safely concluded that the perceptions of the SHS student-respondents on the
5. A career guidance program is to be developed, aiming at the student’s self-
factors affecting their career track have high significant relationships when grouped
awareness of their personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, among
according to their age, sex and year level.
others. From that, the guidance counselor can provide guidance towards
orientation and choice of Track, a precursor towards pursuing chosen careers.
CONCLUSIONS
6. In the future, further study on the basis of students’ choice of their preferred
Based from the findings of the study, the following conclusions were given:
course in college should be made using other factors aside from the ones used in
1. Students’ career success can be best attained if the right course suited to their
the study as well as the course taken by students in college and its relationship to
personality, ability and intellect serves as their guide in choosing the course they are to
the preferred course and the suited course for students.
take in college. students should also understand the important factors they have to
consider in choosing a course.
REFERENCES
2. There is high significant difference in terms of job opportunity in terms of
Website:
factors affecting the choice of SHS students career track. There is high significant
http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/K-12/
relationships on the factors affecting their career track when grouped according to their
age, sex and year level. https://psa.gov.ph/content/employment-rate-january-2013-estimated-929- percent-
results-january-2013-labor-force-survey
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