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Course Preference of College

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Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives

Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives

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 Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives, Volume 8, No. 1, May 2021
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Asia Pacific Journal of
Course Preference of College Entrants: Basis Educational Perspectives
for New Program Offerings Vol. 8 No.1, 102-107
May 2021
1
Mary Ann P. Briones , Ronnie B. Rubi 2 ISSN: 2782-9332 (Print)
Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, Naga City,
Philippines
[email protected], [email protected]

Date Received: January 15, 2021; Date Revised: April 5, 2021

Abstract – One of the significant decisions in life make up their minds. Dayao and Almario (2018), in their
one must make is choosing a course to take in college for study, forwarded that further research on the reasons why
its effect on the person is a lifetime. Often, students are students choose a course, or a school may be considered
faced with a lot of options and considerations before they to help graduating students in selecting a course. Course
can finally make up their minds. Along with these factors and school selection decision will most likely define their
is the prevalent concern on degrees offered by future success. Parent’s preferences, financial and
universities and colleges, which are becoming irrelevant intellectual capacity, employability, and program
to the demands of companies or industries. This study is offerings in school within the locale, among others, are
anchored on the Social Cognitive Career Theory just some of these considerations. [1] Students must be
(SCCT), which emphasizes that career development has provided with all pertinent information to be able to steer
several interrelated aspects. The study focused on 486 them in this crucial decision. Mtemeri (2017) claimed
college entrants which was randomly selected to identify that family members, both nucleus and extended,
the course preference as basis for new course offering of influenced students' choice of careers. Also, the
the different departments of the College. This geographical location of schools was cited as quite
undertaking utilized a descriptive research design, which influential in the options of jobs by students. The same
identified the profile of the respondents’ gender, school study also revealed that peers influenced students’
type, and track/strand. Further, factors affecting course choices of careers through peer advice and
preferences were determined, and later named the top encouragement. [2] Indeed, enough time and research
three preferred courses of the respondents. Results must be allocated in this critical phase in one’s life.
revealed that Career Opportunities, Personal Interest Limjuco et al. (2018) showed that both the students and
and Passion and Skill are the leading factors that affect the parents prefer a public urban type of school over the
their career choice. Data further showed that BS public rural and private urban. Practicality could be their
Psychology, BS Preschool Education, BS Computer reason behind this choice since public school’s tuition
Engineering, and BS Hospitality Management are fee is lesser as compared to that of the private schools.
among the top course choices. These results reflect that [3] With the increasing cost of basic needs, one cannot
respondents are fully aware of the in-demand courses, avoid but be rational in choosing a school that offers low
thus opt for those courses as it opens a lot of career tuition fees yet quality education such as local state
opportunities for them after college. Emphasis on colleges or universities.
possible career opportunities, significance of personal Along with these factors is the prevalent concern on
interest, passion and skill in the career programs given degrees offered by universities and colleges, which are
to students during career orientation and advocacy becoming irrelevant to the demands of companies or
campaigns are highly recommended. industries. Pascual [4] concluded that the availability of
Keywords – Career opportunities, In-demand work after college is the first consideration of students in
courses, Industry-academe partnership, Senior high choosing a course in college. Further, students’ career
school, Career Programs success can be best attained if proper guidance is given
in selecting the right course in college, suited to students’
INTRODUCTION personality, ability, and intellect. Students at present
One of the significant decisions in life one must consider the marketability of their chosen course, for as
make is choosing a course to take in college for its effect soon as they graduate, they are expected to support the
on the person is a lifetime. Often, students are faced with family. Abdullah [5], in his study, however, disclosed
a lot of options and considerations before they can finally that managers feel that there is a mismatch of
102
 Briones & Rubi, Course Preference of College Entrants: Basis for New Program Offerings
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
competencies and added only a small number is well Specifically, it aimed to identify the profile of
equipped. The academe, therefore, must investigate the college entrants for A/Y 2019-2020, along gender, Track
competencies being developed in schools, more so the / Strand and school type; determine the factors affecting
courses being offered if they are still responsive to the the course preferences of the college entrants; identify
needs and demands of the workforce. Laguador and the top three preferred courses by the respondents for
Ramos [5], in their study, revealed that employers have each department of BISCAST; and suggest new
very high standards in choosing their prospective programs/courses that may be offered by the College.
employees. They further added that the Higher Education
Institutions must provide to their students’ competencies METHODS
in technical skills with relevant knowledge in research, This undertaking utilized a descriptive research
communication skills, computer skills, and leadership design, which identified the profile of the respondents’
skills. It is edifying really that there is a need for an gender, school type, and track/strand. Further, factors
enhancement in the course competencies so as it will affecting course preferences were determined, and later
target the 21st-century skills expected of our graduates. named the top three preferred courses of the respondents.
This study is anchored on the Social Cognitive The data gathered may be a strong basis for new
Career Theory (SCCT) by Lent, Brown, and Hackett in programs/courses that may be offered by each
1994. It aimed at explaining three interrelated aspects of department of the College as a response to the identified
career development: (a) how essential academic and need. The statistical treatments used were frequency
career interests develop, (b) how educational and career distribution, percentage, and ranking to profile the SHS
choices are made, and (c) how academic and career students in terms of gender, school type, track/strand,
success is obtained. The theory integrates a variety of factors affecting course preferences, and their preferred
concepts (e.g., interests, abilities, values, environmental courses. The sampling technique was through random
factors) from earlier career development theories, sampling, in which the respondents were randomly
utilizing Albert Bandura’s general social cognitive selected among the entrance exam takers of the College.
theory as a unifying framework [7]. The SCCT The researchers distributed the survey-questionnaire to
recommends that the decision-making process in select college entrants to determine their preferred course
choosing a course in college should be well-thought of in college along with other relevant information such as
and is not an easy decision to make, especially among gender, school type, track/strand, factors affecting course
our learners. Gestiada et al. [8] reported that different preferences. Afterward, collation, analysis, and
factors that may affect career decisions, such as self- interpretation of data was made.
efficacy, preference of students, choice of parents, The study focused on select college entrants who
aptitude, number of schools offering the desired career intend to pursue college. The 486 respondents were
track, and the availability of financial assistance or identified through random sampling, considering
scholarship. [8] With this, a study on the factors affecting respondents’ school type and track/strand. Only Grade
course/program preference is deemed necessary. 12 students enrolled for AY 2019 – 2020 and who will
The purpose of this study was to identify the course graduate by the end of the school year were considered
preference of college entrants as baseline data for the as a respondent. It specifically involved graduating SHS,
new program/course offering of Bicol State College of who intend to enroll in BISCAST.
Applied Sciences (BISCAST). Specifically, it aimed to The researchers prepared a survey-questionnaire as
determine the factors affecting the course preference of the primary tool to gather the needed data. It reflected a
grade 12 senior high school students, specifically those short profile of the respondents, a checklist of the factors
who intend to enter the College. It utilized survey- affecting course preferences, and several possible
questionnaire to elicit data on course preferences that courses/programs that the college may offer. The survey-
will serve as an evidence-based data for the College to questionnaire was subjected to validity test and turned
open new programs/courses pertinent to the community out a Cronbach Alpha of 0.74. Furthermore, permission
needs. from the concerned offices and officials were sought
before the actual conduct of the study. The researchers
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY likewise conducted short discussion of the research
This research aimed to determine possible new endeavor and explained its objectives and purposes to the
course/program offerings at the Bicol State College of identified respondents before distributing the survey-
Applied Sciences and Technology. questionnaire.
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Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives
Vol. 8, No. 1, May 2021| ISSN: 2782-9332 (Print)
 Briones & Rubi, Course Preference of College Entrants: Basis for New Program Offerings
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION RA 10931, which mandates all state colleges/universities
to offer free tuition and provide tertiary education
Profile of the Respondents subsidies to students.
The following graphs show the profile of the Senior High School curriculum is divided into four
respondents. Figure 1 indicates that of 486 respondents, tracks, namely: Academic, Technical Vocational
168 or 35% are male, and 318 or 65% are female. This Livelihood (TVL), Sports Track (ST), and Arts and
data reflects that there were more female respondents Design Track (ADT). Figure 3 presents the respondents’
than male. SHS track where 332 or 68% of the respondents are
taking the academic track, 84 or 17% are finishing the
TVL track, 18 or 4% are under the ADT while 6 or 1%
of the respondents are taking the ST. The 46 or 9% of the
Male, 168,
35% respondents did not provide information relative to their
track. A large percentage of the respondents chose the
Academic track. This result may be because all senior
high school in the locale offers this track. A lesser rate
is completing the TVL track, which seemingly due to few
Female, schools are offering the said track. Furthermore, Arts and
318, 65% Design Track and Sports Track are only being provided
to limited identified schools in the region, thus the reason
for the tiny population.
Figure 1. Gender Profile of the Respondents
Track
(no 68%, 332
School Type 350
respons
ALS, 4, 300
e), 8, 2% 250
1%
Private, 200
156, 32% 150 17%, 84
100 9%, 46
50
4%, 18 1%, 6
0

Public,
318, 65%

Figure 2. School Type of the Respondents Figure 3. SHS Track of the Respondents
Figure 2 shows the school type of the respondents Besides the four major tracks in the SHS
classified as Public, Private schools, and those who have curriculum, two of these tracks have specific strands
completed secondary education through Alternative where students can choose from. The academic track has
Learning System or ALS. Data revealed that the four strands being offered: Accountancy, Business and
majority of the respondents, that is, 318 or 65% are Management (ABM), General Academic Strand (GAS),
students at public schools, 156 or 32% are from private Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), and the
institutions while 4 or 1% are ALS completers. Eight Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
respondents or 2%, however, did not provide the (STEM) strand respectively. For the TVL track. Four
information. This result further indicates that public strands are likewise identified, which are the Agri-
school students still opt to continue college in state Fishery Strand, Home Economics (HE), Information and
colleges/universities. At the same time, various Computer Technology (ICT), and Industrial Arts (IA).
percentage from private institutions manifested their The data revealed that under the academic track, 152 or
interest to enter in a state college/university. This result 31% of the respondents are taking GAS, 98 or 20% are
may be due to the cost of tuition and school expenses in finishing STEM, 44 or 9% opted ABM, while 18 or 4%
private institutions. Another reason may be due to the are taking HUMSS. For TVL students, 26 or 5% are
Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or completing the ICT strand, 20 or 4% are finishing HE, 8
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Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives
Vol. 8, No. 1, May 2021| ISSN: 2782-9332 (Print)
 Briones & Rubi, Course Preference of College Entrants: Basis for New Program Offerings
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
or 2% have chosen IA, and two are under the Agri- /grants/scholarships with 174 or 36%, job stability with
fishery strand. Some 19% or 94 respondents, however, 170 or 35%, personality with 170 or 35%, experience
did not provide the information relative to their strands. with 166 or 34%, employability with 162 or 33%,
These results imply that the majority still choose to take location with 156 or 32%, values with 144 or 30%, and
GAS. It may be because this strand is open in practically peer influence with 138 or 28% respectively.
all SHS in the region and has no grade requirement as These findings reveal that students nowadays really
long as a student passed all the learning areas, unlike the take into consideration career opportunities that await
STEM and ABM strands, which have grade them after college. It is remarkable that despite
requirements, especially in particular learning areas. For prejudices given among the young generation, the
TVL track, the ICT and Home Economics strands majority still prioritizes career opportunities in choosing
collected the first and second rank respectively. Under their college course. This result may be attributed to their
these strands are various specialization in which due to intention of finding a job after college consequently
the absence of necessary facilities and equipment are not support their families as soon as possible.
being offered in most schools. The small number of
students of industrial arts and the Agri-fishery Arts Table 1. Factors Affecting Respondents’ Course
strand may be attributed to that reason. It is therefore Preference
assumed that one factor that leads to a student taking a %
Rank Factors f
track/strand, not of his/her choice, is the unavailability of (n=486)
their chosen track/strand in their locale. 1 Career Opportunities 312 64%
2 Personal Interest 270 56%
3 Passion and Skill 264 54%
GAS 31%, 152
Academic Aptitude /
STEM
4 Intellectual Capacity 260 53%
20%, 98
5 Parents / Family 258 53%
(no response) 19%, 94
6 Financial Capabilities 200 41%
ABM 9%, 44
Financial Benefits /
ICT 5%, 26 7 Salary 194 40%
Home Economics 4%, 20 Financial aids/ grants /
Arts & Design 4%, 18 8 scholarships 174 36%
HUMSS 4%, 18 9 Job Stability 170 35%
Industrial Arts 2%, 8 10 Personality 170 35%
Sports 1%, 6 11 Experience 166 34%
Agri-Fishery Arts 0%, 2 12 Employability 162 33%
13 Location 156 32%
0 50 100 150 200 14 Values 144 30%
15 Peer influence 138 28%
Figure 4. Respondents’ specific strands

Factors Affecting Course Preference Preferred Course of College Entrants

The table below shows the identified factors The table below shows the preferred course of the
affecting the course preference of the 486 respondents. college entrants, which may be considered as additional
Through frequency, percentage, and ranking, the offerings by each department of the College. Findings
researchers identified the leading factors that influence revealed that for the College of Arts and Sciences, the BS
respondents’ course preferences. The first factor that Psychology course obtained the highest frequency,
obtained the highest frequency is the career which is 154 or 32% of the respondents. The BS
opportunities with 312 or 64%. The second is personal Accountancy ranked second with 122 or 25% of the
interest identified by 270 or 56% of the respondents, and responses, AB Psychology and BS Business Economics
the third is passion and skill, with 54% or 264 responses. both acquired 58 or 12% which placed third, and BS
The fourth in rank is the academic aptitude/ intellectual Mathematics with a frequency of 52 or 11% ranked
capacity with 53% or 260, and the fifth is parent/family, fourth. BS Psychology seemed to be the top choice of the
with a frequency of 258 or 53%. Other factors identified respondents as the course is practical, and one can land a
were financial capabilities with 200 or 41%, economic job quickly in many ways, for it is in demand in any
benefits/salary with 194 or 40%, financial aids industry.

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Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives
Vol. 8, No. 1, May 2021| ISSN: 2782-9332 (Print)
 Briones & Rubi, Course Preference of College Entrants: Basis for New Program Offerings
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Table 6. Preferred Course of College Entrants which ranked third, followed by BS in Industrial
Rank Preferred Course Frequency Percentage Engineering from 9% or 42 respondents and the fifth is
n=486 BS in Civil Engineering and Architecture which earned
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
1 Psychology (BS Psychology 154 32%
5% of the responses with 26 and 24 frequency,
Major in Ergonomics, respectively. BS in Computer Engineering has a huge
Industrial Psychology) demand in industry as small to medium or multi-million
2 Accountancy (BSA) 122 25% companies are using computers in their operations along
3 Psychology (AB Psychology) 58 12% with the need to update their technology regularly.
4 Business Economics (BSBA) 58 12% Promising opportunities for the graduates of this course
5 Mathematics (BS 52 11%
Mathematics)
is undoubtedly apparent.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION For the College of Trades and Technology, BS in
1 Preschool Education 138 28% Hospitality Management collected the most responses
2 English 126 26% with 114 or 23%. The BS in Information Technology
3 Technology and Livelihood 66 14% from 19% or 90 followed these replies. BS in Computer
Education Science ranked third, which collected 66 or 14% of the
4 Mathematics 60 12%
5 Filipino 56 12%
responses while the BS Tourism Management placed
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING fourth with 34 or 7% of the replies. The 6% or 28
1 Computer Engineering 84 17% respondents, however, opted for any BS in Management
(BSCpE) course. The BS Hospitality Management course is
2 Bachelor of Science ( 62 13% significantly in demand to fulfill the balance of the
ENGINEERING )
3 Chemical Engineering 56 12%
hospitality establishments and the growing tourism of the
(BSChE) country and the world. It likewise offers easy access to
4 Industrial Engineering (BSIE) 42 9% working overseas, mainly the reason why most
5 Civil Engineering 26 5% respondents consider this for a college course.
6 Architecture 24 5%
COLLEGE OF TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
1 Hotel and Restaurant 114 23%
Management (BS HRM) Relevance of program and course offerings of the
2 Information Technology 90 19% colleges and universities, both private and public, assure
(BSIT) that we have a continuous stream of human resources to
3 Computer Science (BSCS) 66 14% companies and industries both locally and abroad. It
4 Tourism Management 34 7% likewise guarantees adequate career opportunities and
(BSTM)
5 Bachelor of Science ( 28 6% employability of our graduates as soon as they finish
Management ) college. Further, it eradicates unemployment or
underemployment in the country. Colleges and
For College of Education, the highest frequency universities, therefore, must continuously assess the
was 138 or 28% for the BEEd in Preschool Education, applicability of the program or course offerings to ensure
followed by 126 or 26% for the BSE in English, some 66 that graduates are equipped with the necessary skills and
or 14% for BSE in TLE, and 12% for both BSE in knowledge needed in the field.
Mathematics with a frequency of 60 and BSE in Filipino Notably, the result of this research reflects the
with 56 respectively. Parents nowadays are recognizing preferred courses of the incoming college students. In the
the significance of early childhood education for the area of Arts and Sciences, the BS Psychology obtained
healthy development and nurturing the essential the highest course choice, for it extends a wide range of
foundations of a child through formal preschool chances both for personal and professional growth
education. The increase in preschoolers all over the among its graduates. Because of the holistic training of
world for the past years is notable; therefore, demand for Psychology graduates, it opens an array of promising
Preschool Education graduates is apparent. employment in the future for them. In Education,
For the College of Engineering, the BS in Computer Preschool Education gained the top choice among the
Engineering ranked first with a frequency of 84 or 17%. respondents. It is noteworthy that nowadays, more and
The second choice provided by the respondents is any of more children who are enlisted to formal preschool
the BS Engineering courses taking 13% or 62 responses. education gets younger and younger. This result may be
Some 56 or 12% chose BS in Chemical Engineering attributed to several reasons such as parents’ increase
106
Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives
Vol. 8, No. 1, May 2021| ISSN: 2782-9332 (Print)
 Briones & Rubi, Course Preference of College Entrants: Basis for New Program Offerings
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
awareness of the importance of quality early academic [2] Mtemeri, J. (2017, January). Factors influencing the
intervention both to address areas of concern or choice of career pathways among high school students in
giftedness of their child. Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. Unpublished Doctoral
The BS Computer Engineering for the Engineering Dissertation). University of South Africa, Pretoria, South
Africa
department earned the highest frequency, which offers
[3] Limjuco, R.P. Diamante, R.T., Laya, M. L., Canda, D.M.
rich career paths in both hardware engineering and Dayon C.A., Hontiveros, L.C. Pioc, ZC L., Fabros, M.T.
software development. This result may be ascribed to the (2018). Career choice of students: Basis for curricular
outpouring technological advancements in different offering of senior high schools in Region XI. Retrieved
industries all over the world. Similarly, BS in Hospitality from
Management reflected the first choice among the https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327746059
enumerated courses. This finding may be credited to the [4] Pascual, N. T. (2014). Factors affecting high school
fact that tourism is the highest source of revenue in most students' career preference: A basis for career planning
countries these days. With the influx of travelers and program. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and
tourists each year, it is not surprising that there is an Applied Research, 16 (1), 1-14.
[5] Abdullah, A. (2013). Bridging the gap between industry
enormous need for hospitality graduates across the
and higher education demands on Electronic graduates'
world. competencies. IOSR Journal of Electrical and Electronics
It recommended to emphasize the inclusion of Engineering, 63-68.
possible career opportunities, the significance of [6] Laguador, J.M. & Ramos, L.R. . (2014). Industry-
personal interest, and the importance of passion and skill partners’ preferences for graduates: Input on curriculum
in the modules or programs given to students during development. Journal of Education and Literature, 1(1), 1-
career orientation and career advocacy campaigns. 8.
Further, it must be given before a student completes [7] Social Cognitive Career Theory. Retrieved from:
junior high school before students choose their track and http://career.iresearchnet.com/career-
strand in senior high school since clearly, it significantly development/social-cognitive-career-theory/
[8] Gestiada, G., Nazareno, A. & Villanueva, R. M. (2017).
affects their course preference in college. It will likewise
Development of a Senior High School Career Decision
ensure the continuity and development of skills learned Tool Based on Social Cognitive Career Theory. Philippine
in high school to college. Journal of Science, 445-455.
Courses as BS Psychology, BS Preschool
Education, BS Computer Engineering and BS
Hospitality Management be given priority for possible
additional program offerings for colleges and
universities.
Other courses such as BS Accountancy, BS
Chemical Engineering, BS Information Technology, and
others be considered for a thorough study for future
program offerings in colleges and universities.
Strengthen academe-industry partnership through
regular consultation to ensure supply of appropriate
skills needed by the industry and promising jobs for the
graduates.
This study is confined for the use of Bicol State
College of Applied Sciences and Technology and is
recommended that results be considered by other SUCs
or higher education institutions in Bicol and other
regions.

REFERENCES
[1] Dayao, R. & Almario, O. (2018). Career and school
preferences of senior high school students academic year
2017-1028. International Journal of Advanced Research
(IJAR), 1219-1222.

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Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives
Vol. 8, No. 1, May 2021| ISSN: 2782-9332 (Print)