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FACTORS AFFECTING CAREER CHOICES AMONG ABM
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN A CATHOLIC COLLEGE
A Research Proposal Presented to
The Faculty of Senior High School of
La Consolacion College Bacolod
In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements in
Practical Research II
CABALATUNGAN, ANGEL MAE P.
FLORES, KEZIAH PAULENE S.
GARCIA, ANGELIKA
LAMELA, NIÑA CASSANDRA C.
MAGBANUA, SOFIA M.
SANTORCE, MARK JASON J.
SARMIENTO, PIA MAE B.
TORRES, MILES I.
TORTOGO, LOVELY JOY D.
October 2019
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Table of Contents ii
Introduction
Rationale 1
Statement of the Problem 4
Hypotheses 4
Framework 4
Methodology
Research Locale 8
Research Design 8
Population and Sampling Technique 10
Data Gathering Instrument 11
Validity 12
Reliability 12
Data Gathering Procedure 12
Statistical Treatment 13
References 14
Appendices
Sample Size Computation 35
Letter to Senior High School Principal 36
Survey Questionnaire 37
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INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Career choice is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, which makes it
difficult to predict and understand (Sibson, 2011). The right career choice for the
students entering into the professional education is critical having high impact on
their professional life and future achievement (Ahmed et al., 2010). There have
been numerous studies regarding the factors that influence the career choice of
an individual around the world. Some international students will find it necessary
to reassess their majors or career choices, especially if incongruence develops
between their interest and abilities (Singaravelu, White, & Bringaze, 2005). In his
study of career choice of Nigerian youths, Salami (1999) found that many youths
made wrong career choices due to ignorance, inexperience, peer pressure,
advice from friends, parents and teachers, or as a result of prestige attached to
certain jobs without adequate vocational guidance and career counselling
(Shumba & Naong, 2017). Determining the factors that influenced the person’s
career choice is essential.
Previous studies have used various classifications or scales to identify the
factors that influence students’ career choice, and often these factors are
grouped into the broad categories of extrinsic, interpersonal, and
intrinsic/altruistic (Sibson, 2011). There are various determinants that can
influence a student’s career choice, from individual’s perception, family, gender,
to even the person’s culture. The most significant single determinant of career
choice is the individual’s self-appraisal of their skills and attributes and how that
matches to the intellectual content and other demands of the specialty (Shadbolt
& Bunker, 2009). But other studies found that support and influence of significant
others played a vital role in students’ career choices (Jones & Larke, 2003). A
powerful determinant of career choice relates to the need to consider family
circumstances. This is a significant reason to reject an initial career option based
on job satisfaction and intellectual challenge (Shadbolt & Bunker, 2009)
Among different studies around the world, parents are one of the most
common determinants of a person’s career choice. For example, in their study of
career choice among a sample of South African students, Bojuwoye and
Mbanjwa (2006) reported that their parents had a significant influence on their
career decisions but mothers were more influential (Shumba & Naong, 2017).
The influence of parents on the future job planning of their children has been well
researched in the literature (Iovu, 2013). Countries in their early stages of
economic development tend to encourage individuals into professions that
benefit the national economy and are guided by informal systems, such family,
caste, or class (Singaravelu et al., 2005). Much of the research on family
influence focus on individual parents’ careers, for instance, mothers or fathers
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influencing children to take up a certain career (Castro, 2017). Similarly, Kniveton
(2004) found that the family provides information and guidance directly or
indirectly and influences young people’s career choice (Shumba & Naong, 2017).
There are a lot factors that influence students when choosing their academic
careers, but family was the one factor that had the biggest influence on students
in this study (Fizer, 2013).
Many factors influence the career pathway a person enters. Most
individuals make this choice during their years in secondary school due to rigid
academic streams where they choose elective courses based on future
academic goals, and stay with this choice until program completion (Ausman et
al., 2013). Students studying in a school of a larger scale and enrolled in
homemaking courses are most prone to the influence of “personal factors” in
educational decisions (Su, Chang, Wu, & Liao, 2015). An individual’s choice of
career is likely to be influenced by several factors, including personal and cultural
values, family background, career expectations, etc. (Agarwala, 2008). Students
with family business background (FBB) are an important factor to business start–
up in the future (Xue Fa, David Yoon Kin, & Liang Chen, 2011). In line with this,
K- 12 program will be a transition period for the students in deciding what course
and career to pursue.
One significant reform in Philippine Educational System is the
implementation of K to 12 program (Abarro, 2016). The offering of Career Tracks
in Grades 11 and 12 could be an avenue for colleges and universities to
collaborate with the Department of Education (DepEd). In this way, resources of
colleges and universities who have no enrolees can utilize their resources to the
maximum level. In view of the need to help colleges and universities, the
province of Rizal, address this challenging situation and come up with the
necessary initiatives, this study on Factors Affecting Career Tracks Choices of
Grade 9 students was conducted (Abarro, 2016). To address the current
dilemma, the Philippine Congress ratified law in the implementation of K to 12
Enhanced Basic Education. The K to 12 Education Program, a functional basic
education system is composed of a year of Kindergarten Education, six years of
elementary and six years of secondary education, the six years of secondary
education is divided into four years of junior high school and two years of senior
high school (Braza & Jr., 2015). The Philippine K-12 curricular program provides
at least one year of Kindergarten education and a total of twelve years of basic
education similar with most of the countries in the world. The addition of two
years on the former ten-year basic education program was envisioned for
mastery of learning making learners better prepared for the world of work
besides the conventional belief of just preparing them for collegiate education
(Cabansag, 2014). The implementation of the K-12 curriculum in the Philippines
started in 2012 beginning with grade 1 and grade 7 learners and the succeeding
levels were introduced as these students get promoted to the next grade levels in
the ensuing school year (Cabansag, 2014). The Commission on Higher
Education came out with guidelines for the revised General Education Curriculum
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by reviewing the college curriculum and fine-tuning the courses not just for
General Education, but for each specialization to complement the new subjects
that will be taught in senior high (C. Acosta & S. Acosta, 2016). The Department
of Education believed that enhancing the quality of basic education in the
Philippines is both critical and urgent. Hence, it intended to improve the quality of
basic education with the enhancement of the curriculum and the expansion of the
basic education cycle (Vol, 2018). Whatever career decision the high school
seniors eventually make, it is important to determine the career decision making
process they undergo. It is also important to know which factors they consider or
disregard in their career decisions. (Espero, 2004)
Majority of the local researches on career decisions and the factors
influencing them focus on adolescents (Espero, 2004), These new graduates are
envisage to become more competitive in the global business arena and to bring
more success that would contribute towards building the nation and be at par
with the rest of the world (C. Acosta & S. Acosta, 2016). Career choice are
determined by socio-economic factors, mental and physical abilities, personal
characteristics and the opportunities to which persons are exposed as reflected
in Donald Super’s theory on developmental self-concept theory (Braza & Jr.,
2015). Career preferences as defined by Martinez and Fuller (1999) pertains to
the identification of one’s work schedules and activities in relation to individual’s
abilities, skills, competencies and with the assistance of management in order
that he can take greater job and personal responsibility for his future. In other
words, this is a preferred career choice of an individual that should be decided
ahead of time (Janine & Anne, 2015).
Gathering and processing of career- related information involves
consulting with parents evaluating obtained information, asking other people’s
opinion, reading, studying, and praying about the information collected (Espero,
2004). Preparation is the stage when individual or individuals plan to adopt the
new program and undertake change in the immediate future (C. Acosta & S.
Acosta, 2016). The influences in choosing a vocation can affect one’s career life.
It is important for an individual to know his abilities and interests (Braza & Jr.,
2015). Many Filipino professionals desire working abroad for greener pastures
but they tend to land a job apart from the diploma they pursued in the Philippine
higher education institutions. Some persistent overseas workers submit
themselves to state policies on earning professional license besides having
earned the same in their home country in order to practice a profession abroad.
(Cabansag, 2014)
This study is essential for students to know that decisions are important,
so it will be the guide and basis for the career choices being selected later on.
There are diverse factors involving decisions of every individual into the path
entering the chosen career. Career planning and development in the 21st century
must be prioritize to maximise individuals’ career potential for productive work
and to help nations and organisations build or keep a competitive economic edge
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(Khasawneh, 2013). Therefore, it is crucial to determine the factors that have
influenced student’s career potential and development researchers have reported
that youth gain information concerning planning for future careers from a priority
of sources (Khasawneh, 2013).
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to determine the factors affecting career choices as a
Senior High School Student in a Catholic College. Specifically, the study aims to
answer the following:
1. What is the extent of influence of family, school, and peer factors in the
choice of course to pursue in college as perceived by the ABM students
when they are taken collectively and when grouped according to grade
level and section?
2. Is there a significant difference in the factors that influenced the ABM
Senior High School students in their choice of career?
Hypothesis
The researchers hypothesize that:
1. There is no significant difference in the factors that influenced the ABM
Senior High School students in their choice of career.
Theoretical Framework
The study is based on Krumboltz’s Social Learning Theory and Albert
Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory in examining the factors that influence career
pathways among high school students. The two theories were chosen because
of their relevance to career issues, especially career development. They include
both social and cognitive factors while being sensitive to cultural aspects.
Students live in a social world where they interact with the environment as they
seek guidance towards careers. These theories deal with the cognitive aspects of
the students by making them aware of their decisions. John Krumboltz’s Social
Learning Theory, developed in 1979, emphasises the importance of behaviour
(actions) and cognition (knowing and thinking) (Linder-Pelz & Hall, 2015) The
essence of Krumboltz’s view is that certain generic processes, such as learning
experiences, affect the career development of all persons regardless of their
cultural affiliations (Castro, 2017) hence the need to explore the factors that
influence career pathways among high school students in Zimbabwe. This theory
differs from other theories of career development in that its focus is on teaching
people career decision making techniques and how to use such techniques
effectively in selecting career alternatives (Ireh, 2000:36). The types of learning
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experiences that affect an individual are dependent on his or her culture (Lent &
Worthington, 2000:380). Krumboltz identified four factors that play important role
in the selection of a specific career: genetic endowment, environmental
conditions, learning experiences and task approach skills (Beale, 1998:297; Ireh,
2000:36). According to the Social Learning Theory, genetic endowment refers to
those aspects of the individual that are inherited or innate rather than learned.
This may set limits on individual career opportunities. Environmental conditions
are those conditions that are generally outside the control of the individual and
influence skills development and career preferences. According to Krumboltz,
learning experiences include a) one’s career performances as a result of prior
learning experiences; b) individuals’ prior learning experiences that eventually
influence their career decisions; and c) that individuals’ prior learning
experiences have a direct effect on their career choices. According to Sharf
(1997:330), individuals may make observations about themselves and their
environment that they will then use to make career decisions. Observations
about the self include capabilities, interests and work values (Ireh, 2000:36).
Krumboltz emphasised task approach skills such as goal setting, values
clarification, generating alternatives and obtaining occupational information in
career decision making. Ireh (2000:36) explained that the interaction between
genetic endowment, environmental conditions and learning experiences lead to
the skills required for completing a variety of tasks. The Social Learning Theory
by Krumboltz is relevant to this study because it includes environmental factors
