CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Rationale

Preferred career is an act of choosing what to be in future. Career defines as an

individual journey through learning work and other aspects of life. The right career

choice is one of the most important decisions of human life, (Greculescu et al, 2014).

The career is the most important to survive, to satisfy the individual basic needs and

also for ensuring satisfaction social status.

Senior high is a stepping stone to give possible tools and choices. According to

Matias et al (2014), "It is in this period where the students are advised to prepare for

their future worthwhile occupations". This means that after senior high, Grade 12

students are ensure in employment, entrepreneurship, high education and middle skills

development which could really help them to be well equipped and prepared for the

future.

In the midst of senior high year, career assessment is conducted. Choosing a

career is not easy. The theory of vocational development by Super (2005) stated that

the student should first become aware of the need for a career. A career action plan will

be the road map to know one’s career which is very necessary. So every graduating

student needs a wise choice in decision making, this stage, a student must take

important and vital decisions in the selection of the career which will determine his

future success.

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 The problem of career choice has implications for national development. In every

society, the quality of workers as well as their degree of job satisfaction contributes

directly or indirectly to economic stability and the smooth running of the affairs of the

Nation. If workers are unable to derive satisfaction from their job, frustration sets in with

accompanying decline in productivity and civil unrest due to workers thwarted goals.

There are many factors affecting grade 12 students’ career preferences, one of

these is the parental influence. Parents serve as major influence in their children’s

career development (Keller, 2004). Parents are the one who support and provide

guidance for decision making especially in choosing suitable career for job. Yet there

are also reasons why parents choose a career for their children, one of these is their

occupation. According to Beall (2016), “Offspring and siblings are statistically more

likely to choose the jobs of their parents or siblings.”The parent’s educational level and

parent’s attitude towards choosing a career for their children are affected by some of the

factors they consider. Some parents make career choice for their children without

considering the child’s own personal interest or ability and the choice of career of a child

has a great influence on the individual personality. The choice of career therefore

determines the child satisfaction and success in life.

In this study, the student researcher aims to determine what are the preferred

careers of Grade 12 students and the impact of parental involvement on student’s

career preferences. This is very significant to know how parents can bring either a

positive or negative impact on the career choice of their children.

Along the way, it is expected that the result of this study will reveal essential

information concerning the career preferences of senior high students. This is an

2
important matter to the students, parents and school. The findings of the study are

serving as reference in the reorganization of career assessments. Furthermore, they

would perform their role as parent and adviser at the same time. Student would be

enlightened in wisely choosing a career and make realistic occupational choices.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the preferred careers of grade twelve students?

2. What is the preferred careers of the parents for their children?

3. Is there a significant impact of parental involvement on the career preferences

of the Grade 12 students?

4. What may be the research project will be developed/designed?

1.3 Hypothesis

To guide the study the following hypothesis are formulated:

H1– Parental involvement has significant impact on career preferences of the

Grade 12 students.

H0- Parental involvement has no significant impact on career preferences of the

Grade 12 students.

3
1.4 Significance of the study

This study will reveal essential information concerning the career preference of

senior high students. The results would serve as the basis for more effective students to

choose the right path to endure a brighter future.

Parents. Sources of influence such as parents will know that over-involvement

as regards to career choice of the Grade 12 students will not help matters but rather

some specific roles alongside their children’s area of interest.

School. The findings of the study will serve as the reference in the revisions of

school curricular and programs.

Students. This study will serve the students as their reference or guide in

making decisions for their career. It will help students to know that it is important to

match their career abilities and interests through self-evaluation.

Future Researcher. This study will guide them as they would generate more

information for the future researcher.

1.5 Scope and Limitation

With the size of the study was large enough to conclude reasonable

assumptions. This study was conducted to determine the preferred careers of the 100

General Santos City National High School Grade 12 students of school year 2017-2018

after senior high. The validity of the survey had relied on student’s genuine and

thoughtful responses. This study was focused on the preferred careers of Grade 12

students and the impact of parent’s involvement on student’s preferred career.

4
1.6 Operationalization of Terms and Concepts

Career preferences: It refers to the choice of occupation or profession of a graduating

student.
Occupation: this simply implies an individual means of livelihood or an individuals

mains source of earning a living. This includes his job, employment, business, traders or

handwork.

Parental Involvement: Refers to the amount of participation a parent has when it

comes to schooling and her child's life career.

Career Footsteps : Pursuing career that someone else (often a family member) has

already done.

Grade 12 students : The respondents involved in the study from General Santos City

National High School.

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 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Introduction

This chapter reviews the literature that covers the career preferences of the grade

12 students. This body of literature provides a fundamental background for the

discussion and considerations in finding present study. Therefore, this review of

literature is focused on what are the preferred career of the students, what are the

desired career of the parents for their children and how parental involvement bring

impact to students’ preferred career.

Department of Education find ways to elevate the quality of graduates before

even reaching collegiate level. This is one of the reasons why the government

implemented K+12 program in educational system. One of the objectives of the

Department of Education K+12 program is to produce graduates who are equipped with

knowledge and skills to be productive citizens and an additional work force to promote

economic development.

Once become an adult, it is act to the students to care about the decisions that

make further. Life goals. Veeres (2015) stated that it is important to pick a career that

stimulate person’s mind and to be practical about the job market. It is very significant to

pick a career that enables to make living after college graduation.

Senior High School students need professional advice in the choice of their

careers (Pablo, 2014). It is in the period where the students are advised to prepare for

their future worthwhile occupations. Senior High is the stage where the teenagers need

6
guidance in proper selection of desired career (Matias et al 2014). Students career

success can be best attained if proper guidance in choosing a career suited to students’

personality, interest and ability.

In the 2014 survey report of National Association of Colleges and Employees,

students’ choice three option; working as a professional in a private sector firm, working

as a professional in a nonprofit organization, and owning and managing own business.

This is perceive that senior students are focused on the opportunity to advance with an

employees, attain job security, a career with high starting salary and a job that provide

an opportunity for personal growth.

Mcfadden (2015) stated there are also common factors affecting students

preferred career, one of this is the parental influence. Parents serves as a major

influence in their children’s career development and decision making. Family is an

excellent source of advised and ones’ career choice but it can be either have a positive

or negative influence.

The foregoing research findings indicate that parental education level, parent’s

attitude towards occupation and parents’ career footstep are among of the parental

factors that influence career choice of the Grade 12 students. These factors will now be

examined in more detail in the following paragraphs.

2.2 Parents’ Career Footsteps

Pascual (2014) stated that Filipino children who want to do well for the sake of

the family do what they parents want. As the parents believe what they think is more

precise for their children. The happiness of the student within their family influence also

his/her career choice (Landkard, 2017). For instance, when he or she sees his/her

7
parents happy with their work and flourishing, the students will have the feeling of

likeness to follow the footsteps of his/her parents. This is the positive influence as many

children grow up idealizing the professions of their parents. In the article of Qualifax title

“The Parents Role in Career Selection” stated that students feel supported and loved by

their parents have more confidence in their own ability tend to make more satisfying

career choices later in life.

A parent’s occupation influences children’s career choices intentionally and

inadvertently. Hairston (2000) noted that students with parent educators were strongly

influenced to enter teaching. Hence, their parents help them to gain understanding of

the field through direct through frequent and early exposure to the profession.

The above findings are supported of those Udoh and Sanni (2012) who found out

that parent’s career footsteps exerted a significant impact on the career choice of the

students.

2.3 Parents’ Education Level

Just a positive parental model can influence career choice, so can negative

influence. McQuerry (2017) asserts that if your parents were uneducated or always

struggling to get by financially, you may decide you’re never going to pursue what you

want to be choose different career path.

Udoh and Sanni (2012) investigated the influence of parental factors on the

career choice of the students. Their findings implied the parent’s level of formal

education exert a significant impact on the career choices. Parental level of education

significantly influence their children’s choice of career and consequently their future.

8
Aswani (2012) noted that parental level of education had a significant positive influence

on student’s occupational aspirations.

But instances, such as students born to a parent with limited education and

income reduces the likelihood of going to college or achieving a higher professional

occupational goal and essentially predetermines the child’s likely career choice.

2.4 Parents’ Attitude towards Occupation

Based on the literature search, Jungen (2008) noted that parental values and

expectations can play a large role in career path of their children. Parents demonstrate

their advice and expectations by heightened support for a particular career they want.

Kniveton (2004), who observed that parents tended to show additional support for

occupational choices the mirrored their own. Furthermore, parental support indicated

career choice approval and elicited expressions of pride and satisfaction among

students.

In related study, Keller (2004) reported that parenting attitude seemed to be

especially important to middle school students. Besides, in order for parents to

enhance career development of their young adolescents, they should do the following:

i.) Tell their children they have high expectations for their career

ii.) Express interest in various teenage issues that are important to their

children

iii.) Tell their children they are proud of them to follow their decisions

Keller (2004) further noted that students and their parents have significant impact

on choosing a career.

9
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discussed the research design, sampling design, participants,

instrumentation, data gathering and method analysis of the study without deliberate

manipulation of variable.

3.1 Research Design

The research design used in this study was descriptive analysis. It described the

preferred career of the Grade 12 students and the parental factors on the Grade 12

students career preferences including parents’ educational level, parents’ career

footsteps and parents’ attitude towards occupation. It also determined the impact of

parental involvement on the career preferences of the students.

3.2 Sampling Design

A non-probability type of sampling was used in this research. Specifically,

convenience or accidental sampling .In the researchers’ perception, accidental sampling

was more convenient to used because the researchers chose students depend on their

availability. By this, the researcher easily got the number of participants required in the

study.

3.3 Respondents

By getting the total number of 1,096 Grade 12 students and by the used of

Slovin’s formula, the researchers identified the number of participants. The Grade

10
twelve students are divided into different groups, resulting into easy way of getting the

sample. By using conservative sampling size, the researchers got 100 respondents on

Grade 12 students and determined the impact of parental involvement on their career

preferences.

3.4 Instrumentation

This study used a research questionnaire constructed by the researchers,

utilizing information from the review related literature of this study. The questionnaires

was designed to collect information about the parents and the students career choices.

The questionnaire has two parts. Part A was focused on the parents’ preferred career

for their children and part B is on the students’ career preferences. Part B also

compromised parental factors questions answered by the students. Information gained

from the respondents addressed the research questions.

3.5 Data Gathering

The questionnaire will be administered to the Grade 12 students of General

Santos City National High School. In order to gather the data, the researchers will follow

these procedures:

1. The questionnaire was validated by the experts;

2. The researchers was distributed the questionnaires to the G12 students;

3. The data was collected by the researchers;

4. The researchers was summarized and analyzed the data;

5. The data was interpreted; and

11
 6. Researchers gave their conclusion and recommendations based on the

interpretations of the data gathered.

3.6 Method of Analysis

This study utilized a descriptive method of analysis. For descriptive the researchers
determined and described the students career preferences and whether parents
involvement has an influence on their children preferred career from the data gathered.
The data collected was summarized, analyzed and interpreted using the

descriptive statistical such as weighted mean and Analysis of Variance . Tables was

used in the presentation of the data.

12
 Chapter IV
Discussion of Results

This chapter presents the findings of the study based on the data collected from

the Grade 12 students of General Santos City National High School. The objective of

the study is to determine the preferred career of the Grade 12 students and the impact

of parental factors on the career choice. The statistical results of this study have a

corresponding table for each topic/matter. There would be also a discussion regarding

the data included. The sample size was conservative 100.

4.1 Student’s Career Choice

The table shows the frequency of career preferences of Grade 12 students that

they want to pursue.

Table 1.

Careers Frequency Percent

Medicine 8 8%
Engineering 21 21%
Business 7 7%
Arts 1 1%
Social Sciences 25 25%
Education 28 28%
Management 6 6%
Others 4 4%

The table shows career preferences of the Grade 12 students. Out of 100

respondents, majority want to pursue education field comprising 28% of the population.

Also, 25% of the respondents would pursue social sciences, 21% would go for

engineering, while 4% would specialize in the fields that were not mentioned in the

survey questionnaire, such as detective and interpreter.

13
 A sensible explanation as to why majority of the respondents like Education

careers as Topyaka and Uztosun (2012) stated that mostly students believe that these

education careers are respectable and consider as a blessed professions. Education

careers are provided with opportunities and contributions to the society.

4.2 Parent’s Career Choice

The table shows the frequency of career preferences of parents of Grade 12

students that they want for their children to pursue.

Table 2.

Careers Frequency Percentage

Medicine 12 12%
Engineering 16 16%
Business 5 7%
Arts 1 1%
Social Sciences 22 22%
Education 41 41%
Management 2 2%
Others 1 1%

The study also seek to establish the parents’ career choices. The career choices

of the parents had made are summarized in table .The table shows that 28% of

the respondents indicate that they wanted education careers, 22% social sciences, and

16% engineering among others.

According to a website namely Academic Courses, “…most of the parents

choose education course because education courses can build critical knowledge and

skills. Education courses are offered at academic institutions around the world". Parents

want their children to develop more and enhance their skills by taking course education.

14
The questions were answered by students either yes or no about the significant of

parental involvement and their answers were explained briefly. Below are the

summarized answers of the Grade 12 students.

Proportion of students’ on the impact of parent’s involvement

Questions

1. Do you agree that your parent is important in choosing your career?

Frequency Percentage

Yes 52 52%

No 48 48%

2. Do you agree that your parents has a big impact in choosing your career?

Frequency Percentage

Yes 55 55%

No 45 45%

This study sought to establish the impact parental involvement on choosing Grade 12

students career. More than fifty percent out of 100 respondents concur that parents had

an impact and was significant in choosing the careers of the Grade 12 students.

15
4.4 Influence of Parents’ Attitude towards Occupation on Students’ Career Choice

Children and teenagers absorb their parents’ attitudes and expectations of them

as they grow up. Parents want their children to find happiness and success in life .

Parental factors influences happiness and success of career choice of the their children.

The students were asked to indicate their parent’s attitude towards occupation.

The results of their responses are given in table 3.

Indicators :
5- Strongly Agree
4-Agree
3-Neutral
2-Disagree
1-Strongly Disagree

Interpretations:
1-1.49 – Strongly Disagree
1.5 – 2.49 – Disagree
2.5-3.49 – Neutral
3.5-4.49 – Agree
4.5-5 – Strongly Agree

Table 3. Parents’ Attitude Towards Occupation

Weighted Interpretation
Mean
Statement

It is my parents told me 2.45 Disagree

to choose the career I
have chosen.

My parents always 2.26 Disagree

warned me never to
choose certain careers
that is why I am careful
not pick the one they not
like.

16
 My parents never bother 2.23 Disagree
me about which career
to choose that is why I
am not yet sure of which
career to choose.

Grand Mean : 2.31 Disagree

The results in table 3 were a total calculated mean of 6.94 and grand mean of

2.31 which falls under the indicator of “disagree” and has an interval of 1.5-2.49.

Students disagreed that parents let them decide for their career. Also, students

disagreed that their parents never bother them on choosing a career and not picking a

career that parents do not want. Therefore, parents are involved in pursuing the career

of Grade 12 students. This implies that parents’ attitude towards occupation has an

influence on students’ career choice.

The above observations is supported by that of Clutter (2010), who notes that the

young adult‘s understanding of his or her parent‘s expectations will influence their own

career decisions, depending on whether the adolescent feels the need to go along with

their parent‘s views or to rebel against them. Regarding parental attitudes, high school

students whose parents are more authoritarian are determined in their career path.

(Kesici, & Arslan, 2008).

4.5 Influence of Parents Level of Education on students’ career choice

17
 The students were asked to indicate their level of agreement with the influence of

their parents’ level of education on their career choice. The students response are

summarized in table 4.

Table 4. Parent’s Level of Education

Weighted
Mean Interpretations
Statements

Because my parents are highly

educated, they know how to assist 3.77 Agree

me in making my career decision.

Because my parents are well-

educated, they know the relevant 4.02 Agree

educational resources to provide to

aid my career development.

Because my parents are highly

educated, they have a good job 3.83 Agree

and so are able to finance my

career aspiration.

Grand Mean: 3.87 Agree

For parents’ level of education, the results were a total calculated mean of 11.62

and grand mean of 3.87 which falls under the indicator of “Agree” and has an interval of

3.5-4.49. This indicates that students agreed that the parent’s education has an impact

on grade 12 career preferences. Mbagwu et al (2016) stated that parents educational

18
level influences teenagers whose parents are from high educational background and

do not have much difficulties in making career choice.

4.6 Influence of Parents Career Footsteps on students’ career choice

Carter (1999) his study supports the view of a child learns about occupation

through examples of the parents. They visit their parent’s work places and exposed in

the younger age.

The students were asked to rate the following statements. .The students

response are summarized in table 4.

Table 5. Parents Career Footsteps

Statements Mean Interpretations

I will like to take my father’s/mother’s

occupation, instead I will go for a better 3.55 Agree

one.
My parents want me to follow their line

of occupation. 3.57 Agree

I will like to take after my parent’s

occupation because I admire it. 3.65 Agree

Grand Mean: 3.59 Agree

The total calculated mean of table 5 was 10.77 and the grand mean was 3.59

which falls under the indicator of “Agree” and has an interval of 3.5-4.49. Students

19
agreed to follow their parents’ career footsteps. This implies that the grade 12 students

consider the career footstep of their parents in choosing their career. Researchers at

Facebook as stated by Beall (2016), children are much more likely to follow his or her

parents’ footsteps because they bring so much influence on the decision and making

career choices.

4.7 ANOVA:Single Factor of Impact of Parental Involvement on Career

Preferences

Table 6.

Anova: Single Factor

SUMMARY
Groups Count Sum Average Variance P-value
Parents' Attitude Towards Occupation 3 6.94 2.313333 0.014233 2.17E-05
Parents' Educational Level 3 11.42 3.806667 0.039033
Parents' Career Footsteps 3 10.77 3.59 0.0028  

The table above shows the ANOVA result of the study, it indicates that the P-value 2.17

is greater than the critical value of 0.05. The student researchers accept the alternative

hypothesis that tells parents has significant impact students preferred career. Based on

the study of Udoh (2012) it becomes evident that parental factors such as parents’

attitude towards occupation, parents’ educational level and career footsteps are part of

parental involvement influences that choice of career of the students. Furthermore, it is

also evident that level of parental education has a significant influence on the vocational

interest of the student.

20
 Chapter V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter discusses the summary, findings and conclusions of the study.

Recommendations are also forwarded in this chapter.

5.1 Summary of findings

This study was conducted to know if the parents have significant effect in General

Santos City National High School Grade 12 students preferred career.

21
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following:

1. What are the preferred career of the parents:

In the researchers data collected 41% of the parents chose education, 22% social

education, and 16% engineering course for their children.

2. What are the preferred career of the students?

In the students preferred career, majority of the students 28% of them chose

education, 25%social sciences and 21% engineering.

3. If parent has impact in student preferred career:

The result of the data gathered tells that the parents occupation, attitude towards

occupation and parents footsteps has significant impact in students career choosing.

The researchers use survey questionnaire in gathering the data from Grade 12

students. Researchers select 100 respondent and use judgmental or accidental

sampling the researcher will pick their respondents.

5.2 Conclusion

Based on the research findings and data analysis, the student-researchers are able to

conclude that parents has significant impact in student preferred career. Most of the

parents choose education followed by social sciences, medicine and other fields.

Children needs the parents advice and opinions to choose the career that suits for their

skills and capabilities. Parents serves as assistance in choosing in their children career.

5.3 Recommendations:

Based on the findings, and conclusions drawn, the following

recommendations are forwarded:

22
1. A career guidance program is to be developed, aiming at the student’s self-

awareness of their personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, among others.

From that, the guidance counselor can provide guidance towards orientation and choice

of Track, a precursor towards pursuing chosen careers.

2. Career and Track course options are to be provided to the students as early as

possible so that they will not be misled with information that they will acquire in choosing

their future career.

3. A parents and students seminar to strengthening their relationship. To inform the

parents that their help is important in student decision making in their career.

4. Information seminar is to be developed so that the students may know essential

information regarding careers, annual incomes, personal information awareness and the

like.

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