Testing the Waters: Revealing the Senior High School Students' Track Choice

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Many students find it difficult in choosing what track or strand to take in senior high school level. Choosing a course is really a hard decision to make. Your future depends on it and the decision you will make would determine what life you will have in the future. This is the first step in your life as an independent person and this is the first step to your success. You should be careful in choosing a course because when you have started on it, there is no way of getting back. You can shift to another course but a lot of things will be wasted: your effort, money and time. So, from the start, you should pick the right one and you should make up your mind that this is the track for you and this will lead you to success.

METHODS

This phenomenological qualitative design study was conducted to determine the lived experiences of the Senior High School Grade 11 students' track choice. The student's track choice, as the central phenomenon was generally defined that choosing the perfect career track is one of the vital and crucial decisions a student has to make. This can be viewed as one of the measures of success in future careers. The major findings were drawn from the 14 participants, seven for an In-depth interview and seven for focus group discussion.

RESULTS

The In-depth interview revealed that the peer influence, availability of courses, uncertainty in track choice and financial stability are factors affecting in choosing their track. Moreover, in the focus group discussion, it showed that the track interest, peer pressure, career planning, parents' advice, and skills alignment are the essential insights that can be given to the incoming senior high school entrants.

DISCUSSIONS

It is indicative that intensifying the implementation of a structured career-assessment and aptitude tests, and an occupational-interest inventory will remarkably show the student's strengths and interests. In essence, this research reflects to craft an a tuned-career advocacy program that suits the needs of the senior high school entrants, that suggestively strengthens students meaningful track choice deemed realizing their goals and dreams in life.