Career Preferences and Employment Interests of Grade 10 for School Year 2018-2019 of Malalag Cogon National High School: Basis for Additional Senior High School Strands

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Philippine educational system had an overhaul through the K-12 program which added two years to its basic education-the Senior High School (SHS). As anticipated, the program has its fair share of challenges. As for Malalag Cogon National High School (MCNHS)—a medium-sized secondary school in Malungon, Sarangani Province—the institution encountered two problems after the graduation of the first batch of Senior High School students. First, some K-12 graduates of MCNHS were not able to enroll in their preferred tertiary courses due to the track they graduated from. Second, there has been an increasing rate of MCNHS grade 10 completers transferring out to enroll in their preferred senior high school track. Thus, to avoid the above-mentioned problems, the researchers sought to find out the career preferences and employment interests of the School Year 2018-2019 Grade 10 students and see if there is a mismatch to the school's present offering of Senior High School tracks which are Technical-Vocational-Livelihood-NC II Organic Agriculture, Academic-Accounting and Business Management (ABM) and Sports Track.

METHODS

The study used a descriptive method of research. Kuder Preference Record and the adopted Employment or Occupational Interest questionnaire were distributed to find out the career preferences and employment interests of the respondents. Researchers treated data with frequency count, weighted mean and chi-square (X2) test.

RESULTS

Findings revealed that most grade 10 students prefer to enroll in four-year degree courses. Their employment interests vary but most of them have a preference for jobs which require investigative skills. Additionally, there is a significant relationship between the career preferences and employment interests of the respondents.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the results of the study, it is highly recommended that the school provide intensive career guidance to junior high school students to help them choose the right strand to take in Senior High School that match their career preference. This will provide students relevant labor market information and proper guidance in choosing their career path which will offer them better opportunities to be gainfully employed. Finally, it is strongly recommended that the school provide additional strands specifically Science and Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMMS) in order to fit the career preferences among Grade 10 students.