Philippine E-Journals

Course and Career Preferences Alignment Among Selected State College Students

Paul Niño Tabigne

 

Abstract:

The study aimed to determine if the course enrolled by the students are aligned with their career preferences based on the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) results. Descriptive mixed method of research was employed and a survey questionnaire was used in gathering the data. The respondents of the study were 332 students. Frequency, percentages, and Pearson’s Correlation were used as the statistical treatment of the data. The findings of the study revealed that teacher education courses had the highest number of enrollees, followed by Technology courses. The respondents’ fathers were mostly farmers, laborers and drivers while majority of the mothers were housekeepers. The majority of the respondents’ family income was only between Php3,001-7,000 per month. As to influence in the choice of a career, 47.35 per cent of the students chose their course based on their interest while the others were influenced by different factors such parents’ choice, had no other choice because it was the only course offered in the school, financial capacity, barkada’s choice, and the demand for overseas employment. Test of significant relationship between the career preference and course enrolled showed that the Career Preference (1) such as those in the field of science that include medical courses and courses related to military and Career Preference (2) such as personal services that includes maritime and aviation courses had no significant relationship between their currently enrolled courses. This is due to the fact that most of these courses are not offered in this College. However, Career Preference (3) which includes courses that are available in the College related to IT and Cyber Services, Business and Commerce, Professional Services, Agriculture and Engineering had significant relationship with their enrolled courses The study concluded that most of the students enrolled in education and business related courses were aligned with their career preferences.Those whose first career preferences were on Science, personal services and other fields of study that include courses that are not offered in the College were not aligned with their courses enrolled but were aligned with their third career preference. Students’ interest, financial capacity and overseas employment were the most common reasons of their career preferences. Hence, it is recommended that a collaborative effort from the school administration, guidance counselor/facilitator and parents should also be made to come-up with a better career plan for every student.