Implementing Career Guidance Activities in Selecting Specialization Course in T.L.E. among Grade 8 Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

K to 12 Education Program offers Career Pathways or optional courses that students select from several choices. At grades 7 and 8, students will study exploratory subjects by taking four Technology and Livelihood Education (T.L.E.) courses for each grade. At Grades 9 and 10, T.L.E. specializations are offered. The learner chooses one course to specialize in from among the exploratory courses taken in Grade 7 and Grade 8. However, students face several problems while choosing a specialization course. More often, they face the problem of matching their course choices with their abilities, interests and school performance. Students are perplexed and choosing a specialization course becomes daunting. In this study, the researcher was motivated to implement career guidance activities that will enhance the selection of a specialization course in Technology and Livelihood Education among Grade 8 students.

METHODS

The descriptive method was used with the questionnaire as the main data gathering instrument which was validated and administered to Grade 8 students and T.L.E. teachers. The data gathered from the responses of the teachers and students were analyzed and interpreted through the use of frequency counts, percentage, ranking, and weighted mean.

RESULTS

The students who participated in the survey made a thorough assessment of the impact of the implementation of career guidance activities on their selection of specialization courses. Such activities include self-exploration activities, course orientation, and career counseling. Based on the data gathered, the respondents strongly agreed that career guidance activities influenced their specialization course choice preference. This only proves that the self-exploration activities helped the students better understand themselves; course orientation enlightened them of the distinct features of every specialization course, and career counseling made them recognize the impact of right course choice on the improvement of their academic performance. However, the data also showed that the teachers faced various constraints in the implementation of career guidance counseling.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the result of the study, it was drawn that additional guidance activities must be implemented to enhance the selection of the preferred specialization course of the students. Students should be given more self-exploration activities and extensive career orientation. Furthermore, career counseling should be dealt upon with emphasis. Teachers experience a multiplicity of challenges during the implementation of career guidance activities. To lessen the challenges faced by the teachers in implementing career guidance activities, teachers should: a) be given adequate trainings, workshops or seminars; b) have adequate resources and a venue; c) set consultation time; d) encourage students to participate and make them realize its usefulness, and; e) ensure parents are aware and participate in the guidance activities.