CAREER ASPIRATION AND DECISION MAKING AMONG GRADE 12 HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES STUDENTS AT BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Career aspiration and decision-making play a crucial role in personal development, education, workforce planning, and psychological well-being. Career aspiration refers to an individual's ambition to achieve specific professional goals, while career planning is an ongoing process involving steps to attain these objectives. Understanding the factors that influence students' career aspirations and decision-making is essential for providing guidance and support. This study employed a quantitative research design and was conducted among 150 selected Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences students. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents, ensuring that each individual had an equal probability of being chosen. Data collection was facilitated through a structured survey questionnaire designed to assess factors influencing career aspirations and decision-making. Findings indicate that factors influencing career aspirations include interest (composite mean: 3.17), peer influence (3.84), and financial considerations (3.26), resulting in an overall weighted mean of 3.34, categorized as "strongly agree." Additionally, factors affecting career decision-making include skills (3.26), abilities (3.31), and parental support (3.29), leading to an overall weighted mean of 3.29, also categorized as "strongly agree." The results highlight the significant role of peer influence, financial stability, skills, abilities, and parental support in shaping students' career aspirations and decision-making. The study concludes that students have a clear understanding of career planning and the factors affecting their decisions. Addressing these factors through career guidance programs can help students make informed choices about their future paths.