Career Preferences of Grade 12 Senior High School Students of Bestlink College of the Philippines

Vol. 3, No. 2

Abstract

Career decision-making is one of the most challenging parts of a student’s life. Their choices regarding this matter have a great effect on their future career life. Sometimes, little thought or assistance was given which resulted in careless decisions since some were just influenced by their friends and parents' decisions, while others were stimulated by financial concerns. Career education is needed so that students can select the most appropriate sessions and can incorporate what is learned into what they already know about their interests, abilities, and plans. Hence, this study intends to describe the career preferences of the Grade 12 Senior High School Students as well as the factors and challenges affecting their career preferences. The study employed the use of descriptive research method to 283 grade 12 senior high school students of Bestlink College of the Philippines which was selected through purposive sampling. As a result, criminology/military, tourism, and accountancy are the top three careers that students want to pursue. The results indicate that although the students wish to pursue a career that they find personally fulfilling, the availability of the scholarships, the ambiance and place of their future employment, the jobs of their parents, and the good compensation of their future employment influence their choice of career. However, based on the average means of all the categories of factors presented, economic factors have a significant influence on the student's career preferences. The physical environment, academic, social, and economic factors have only a moderate influence on the student’s career preferences. Additionally, the students view financial problems, lack of parental support, and lack of career information as challenges in the pursuit of their preferred careers. The results imply that students’ career paths could be vulnerable to various factors. Thus, the study recommended that parents should understand their responsibility, roles and limitations in the career decision making of their children. The guidance department should help identify the interests, capabilities and attitudes that are important for career development and career decision-making of the students. Furthermore, students should be given sufficient support, guidance, financial assistance, and general information about the world of work that will help them make informed decisions.