The Relevance of the AB Communication Curriculum on Job Preparedness for the Graduates of the Tarlac State University

Abstract

The research focused on the relevance of the AB Communication Curriculum on the job preparedness of the graduates of the Tarlac State University. The study also dealt with the assessment of the courses or subjects that were considered relevant to the industry based on assessments by the graduates. The employers also provided assessments on the graduates' level of job preparedness in the aspects of knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by the industry. The study was delimited to the AB Communication graduates from the years 2014-2017 that were employed in the specific industry. The researcher used the descriptive survey method. Through this, the researcher was able to assess the AB Communication curriculum in terms of the knowledge and skills that it provides, and its relation to actual industry needs. The respondents of the study were the graduates of AB Communication and the employers of AB Communication graduates. As to the profile of the graduates, the majority is 23 years old, female and single.

Most of the respondents do not pursue any master's degree and other higher degree. The majority of the graduates were employed in private companies, on a contractual basis, with an employment income ranging from Php10,001 to Php15,000. Most of the graduates hold customer service and marketing/sales specialist jobs, which they consider as stepping stones for future employment. The graduates' assessment on the relevance of the AB Communication curriculum based on the industry needs seemed out to be relevant. A majority of the employer-respondents were female and held department head/director positions in their company. A large proportion of the nature of the company/business of the employers is e-commerce, marketing, sales, and business processing outsourcing. The employers responded that, in terms of the graduates' knowledge and skills, the graduates are prepared for the job. The graduates were also considered as highly prepared in terms of their interpersonal skills, skills with computers and information communication technology and ability to perform routine office procedures. Among the three job preparedness aspects, attitude got the highest rating.