FACTORS THAT INFLUENCING COLLEGE PROGRAM SELECTION BY THE SELECTED GRADE 12 GENERAL ACADEMIC STRAND AT BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Keywords:
personal interests, skills, values, education, opportunities, income, work environment, personality, attitude, self-awarenessAbstract
Career choices are pivotal decisions that shape an individual's professional journey and significantly influence various aspects of life. These decisions are influenced by a combination of factors, including personal interests, skills, values, education, and available opportunities. Selecting a career not only determines one's future income and job responsibilities but also impacts personal development, self-awareness, and overall satisfaction. Influential Factors in Career Choices Personal Interests and Skills: Aligning one's career with personal passions and innate abilities often leads to greater job satisfaction and success. Values and Beliefs: Choosing a profession that resonates with one's core values ensures a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Educational Background: The level and field of education can open or limit career opportunities, guiding individuals toward specific paths. Economic and Market Conditions: The demand for certain professions and economic trends can heavily influence career decisions. Cultural and Social Influences: Family expectations, cultural norms, and societal pressures can play a significant role in career selection. The Role of Career Counseling Career counseling serves as a valuable resource in navigating these factors, offering guidance to align personal attributes with professional opportunities. It involves various theories and approaches, such as: Trait and Factor Theories: These theories focus on matching individual traits with job factors to find the best fit. Social Cognitive Theories: These theories emphasize the role of self-efficacy and personal goals in career development. Developmental Theories: These theories propose that career development is a lifelong process, evolving through different stages. Engaging in career counseling encourages individuals, especially students, to explore their strengths and weaknesses, fostering personal growth and informed decision-making. Career Management and Adaptability In today's dynamic job market, career management involves continuous learning and adaptability. Individuals are encouraged to: Reflect on Career Goals: Regularly assess and realign career objectives to ensure they match personal growth and market realities. Develop New Skills: Pursue additional training and education to stay relevant and open to new opportunities. Seek Mentorship and Networking: Engage with professionals and communities to gain insights and support in career progression. By considering these factors and utilizing available resources, individuals can make informed career choices that lead to personal fulfillment and professional success. This study surveyed 60 Grade 12 General Academic Strand students at Bestlink College of the Philippines to assess factors influencing their career choices, focusing on decision-making, financial considerations, and peer influence. A simple random sampling technique selected participants from two sections, and data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire ranging from "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree." The analysis yielded an overall weighted mean of 2.99, indicating that respondents generally "Agree" that decision-making processes, financial factors, and peer influence impact their career choices. This finding aligns with existing research highlighting the significance of these factors in shaping students' career decisions. Understanding these influences is crucial for educators and policymakers aiming to provide effective career guidance. By addressing these factors, support systems can be developed to assist students in making informed career decisions that align with their aspirations and competencies. Enhancing the educational experience of Grade 12 General Academic Strand students at Bestlink College of the Philippines can be achieved through the implementation of mentorship programs and participation in skill-development seminars. Mentorship Programs Establishing mentorship initiatives that connect students with alumni mentors or industry professionals can provide invaluable guidance and support as they navigate academic and career decisions. Such programs offer insights into various professions, help students align their academic pursuits with career goals, and foster professional networking opportunities. Skill-Development Seminars Organizing seminars focused on academic success, personal growth, and financial stability is crucial for holistic student development. These seminars can equip students with essential skills such as time management, effective study techniques, personal development strategies, and financial literacy, all of which contribute to their overall success and well-being. By integrating mentorship programs and comprehensive seminars, Bestlink College can further support its students in achieving academic excellence and personal development, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities. Developing a comprehensive action plan is essential for educational institutions aiming to enhance and sustain factors influencing students' selection of college programs. The findings from this study can serve as a foundation for future strategies to improve these processes. Action Plan for Enhancing College Program Selection Early Intervention and College Awareness Implement Early Awareness Programs: Introduce initiatives similar to the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), which provide financial aid guarantees and prepare students from an early age for higher education. Engage in Non-Profit College Access Programs: Collaborate with organizations offering academic enrichment, tutoring, and personal counseling to underserved students, aiding them in making informed college program selections. Enhance College Application Support Provide Comprehensive Counseling: Offer guidance to help students craft balanced college lists, develop effective application strategies, and avoid common pitfalls in the application process. Foster Individuality in Applications: Encourage students to focus on their unique strengths and interests, ensuring their applications reflect genuine personal qualities and aspirations. Strengthen Academic and Extracurricular Profiles Promote Strategic Planning: Assist students in early and thoughtful planning of their academic courses and extracurricular activities to align with their desired college programs. Encourage Meaningful Engagement: Support students in pursuing extracurricular activities that reflect their genuine interests and contribute to personal growth, enhancing their overall profiles. Increase Financial Support and Transparency Expand Scholarship Opportunities: Increase the availability of scholarships and financial aid to attract a diverse student body. Provide Cost Transparency: Offer clear information about tuition fees, additional costs, and potential return on investment for each program. Foster a Supportive Campus Environment Establish Mentorship Programs: Pair students with mentors to guide them through academic and career planning. Offer Extracurricular Activities: Provide clubs and organizations that align with various academic interests to enhance student engagement. Implementing this action plan can lead to more informed and satisfactory college program selections, benefiting both students and educational institutions.
