Scholastic Aptitude, Occupational Preference, and Academic Track Inclinations as Bases for a Comprehensive Career Pathing Program

Abstract

For the past six years, the K-12 Program was implemented in the Philippines, causing students to choose various senior high school tracks for their education after junior high school. Students are about to choose one career track, but some may find it difficult to select a career path due to several factors. Hence, the administration of the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) provides students options in choosing the appropriate career path. The main purpose of this study was to determine the scholastic aptitude, occupational preference, and academic track inclinations of the students as the basis for a proposed career pathing program for their current grade level. The researchers utilized quantitative descriptive design applying frequency and percentage distribution and ranking as statistical treatments in identifying the scholastic aptitude, occupational preference and academic track inclination of the grade 9 students of school year 2017 –2018. A convenience sampling method was used to select the Grade 9 students of school year 2017-2018. Eighty nine (89) students composed of forty six (46) male and forty three (43) female students were able to take part in the study. The scholastic aptitude, occupational preference and academic track inclination were identified through the National and Career Assessment Examination (NCAE). The results showed that the majority of the students from the STEM strand fall under the excellent level. Moreover, students from the ABM and HUMSS strand fall under the above average and average levels. Lastly, the majority of the students from the GAS strand fall under the above-average level. With regards to the ranking of highly preferred occupations, science was ranked highest in the STEM and GAS strands. Business and finance/commerce was ranked highest in ABM strand and arts was ranked highest in the HUMSS strand. Moreover, both male and female respondents' academic track inclination fall under above-average level. The study found that the majority of the grade 9 male students' scholastic aptitude belongs to the above-average level, whereas the majority of the scholastic aptitude of grade 9 female students falls under the excellent level. In addition, science was ranked the highest preferred occupation by male respondents, while arts was the highest-ranked among the female respondents. With regards to the academic track inclination of the respondents according to their track, the majority of STEM and HUMSS students fall under the above-average level while the majority of ABM and GAS students fall under the average level. This study can be used by educators in providing career guidance and support to students needing career advice.