Top Chosen Strand and Factors Influencing Career Preference Among Students of Gen. Pantaleon Garcia Senior High School: Basis for Career Planning Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Career preference has been one of the problems among students in the past years. This may result in the wrong choice of college courses and may even add to future unemployment or underemployment. The K-12 program purports to decrease the qualification mismatch of students to the needed workforce of public and private institutions (Pascual, 2014). To support the K-12 Basic Education Program's objective, this three-phase study was conceptualized to assist students in their career planning. First, researchers opted to determine the topmost chosen strand among senior high school students and the factors that influence their career preference. Second, the result of this study may serve as basis for career planning programs to better understand the career decision-making processes of students, and finally, the study monitors the graduates' success in relation to their career preference.

METHODS

A descriptive design was applied to identify the main variables. Participants are 167 senior high school students randomly selected across year levels and sections. A self-made checklist and a survey were used to gather the main data with the assistance of advisers during homeroom. Some participants were invited to the guidance office to answer the checklist and to rate the survey. The data gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, and ranking.

RESULTS

Result shows that the 3 most chosen strands are GAS (54%), followed by HUMSS (48%), then CSS (40%). Others are STEM (38%), Arts and Design (33%), and Cookery (2%) despite the school not offering these strands. Results reveal that some participants enrolled in their second choices because these are currently being offered. Factors influencing career preference are Personal Factor (66.45%), Family (23%), Peer (6%), and Market Demand (3.59%).

DISCUSSIONS

Most of the participants choose the Academic Track since they aspire to be in the field of medicine, engineering, business, and other careers. However, majority chose GAS believing that they can still change their career path which may imply that they are undecided and still on the process of adjustment in their career planning. Majority considered the personal factor in choosing strands believing that it has to fit their skills, motivations, interests and personal characteristics. on the other hand, family and peer serve as guiding factors in making their decisions.