Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region XII
Division of South Cotabato
POLOMOLOK NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Brgy. Cannery Site, Polomolok South Cotabato

CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED AND STRATEGIES OF THE

COLLEGE GRADUATES IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT AFTER
GRADUATION

A Research Submitted to the SHS Department

In Partial Fulfillment for the
Requirements in

Inquires, Investigations, and Immersion

BRIX BRYAN BALDOQUIN

CYRENE SOMONO
JESSAMAE NARANJO
JOHN PAUL SILVELA
JOVAN CASIDSID
GRADE 12- HUMSS (SAGRADO)
KAREN A. ZAMBRA
Research Teacher/ Adviser
 Chapter I
THE PROBLEM

Introduction
Career planning and preparation should take place throughout a student’s academic
career. They do not have to commit to one area of study immediately, and they can change
their focus anytime. Students should, however, plan time for their long-term careers or
multiple careers. This intense and challenging experience has an impact on companies which
spend time and money recruiting and training young people to join their ranks and
immediately contribute to the organization, in addition to the young people themselves and
their well-being. Recent graduates must also learn a new skill in their workplace, one that
was not taught in college: how to receive both positive and negative feedback in a poised,
professional manner learning how to give and receive feedback professionally. The entire
goal of college, at least in terms of learning, is to expand one’s knowledge base and critical
thinking capacity. In school, an individual is primarily responsible to himself. Yes, they
occasionally work on project teams or collaborate with others to complete a project.
However, while the performance of the group is important, the ultimate responsibility is to
themselves, their achievement, their success, and they are learning.
The researcher tends to know about the challenges Encountered and Strategies of the
College students in Finding Employment after Graduation. There is a common misconception
that if they have a college degree, they will have a job. Roughly 53% of the college graduates
are unemployed of working in jobs that do not require a bachelor’s degree. After graduation,
it takes the average college graduate three to six months to find work. A career seeking
strategy and prior work experience are advantageous to a student. Otherwise, her resume
could be lost among hundreds of others for a specific job. (Washington,2021)
In a professional setting, on the other hand, there is usually a lot more at stake, and
mistake can have serious consequences. They are accountable not only to themselves, but
also to their team, their colleagues, their boss, their division, and their organization. They
cannot make up or request extra credit if they fail a critical assignment, harm a client
relationship, or mismanage an interaction with a supplier. Mistakes aren’t always or
exclusively learning opportunities; they can have serious consequences for their reputation
and career, putting a young professional under a whole new level of pressure and personal
responsibility. (Andy Molinsky,2019)
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to determine the challenges and strategies in finding employment of
the college graduate students.
Particularly, aims to answer the following questions:
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondent based on their:
A. Educational attainment
B. Course/Year Graduated
C. Status of Employment
2. What challenges do the college graduate encountered in finding employment?
3. What is the strategies done by the college graduate applied in finding employment?

SCOPE OF LIMATATION OF THE STUDY

This study aims to determine the challenges encountered by the college graduates and
their strategies in finding employment after graduation specifically.
This contains demographic information composed of 25 male and 25 female that total
of 50 college graduate Graduates in seeking their job. The college graduates selected came
from different school to prevent bias and get their objective answer.
The study’s limitations include that it could not be applicable to other populations or
colleges who do not live in Polomolok South Cotabato.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Challenges- A difficult task or problem; something that is hard to do.
Strategies- A detailed plan for achieving success in situations such as war, politics, business,
industry, or sports , or the skill of planning for such situations.
Employment- Implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an
employer.
SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

A study on challenges encountered and strategies of the college graduate in finding

employment after graduation. The results of the investigation will be worthy to the following:

To effect school administration: The result of the study will help them to know and
be aware of the effects of challenges encountered and strategies to have a program by the
graduate students where they can guide the students about their challenges.
To the teachers: In order for them to know the situation of the challenges
encountered and strategies of the college graduate in finding employment after graduation.
To give an advice to the students in the ethical standards in dealing challenges of the
students.
To the learners: In oder for them have a better understanding on how challenges can
affect the life of the graduate students.
To the parents: The outcome of the study will make them realize the condition of the
graduate students and motivate their children to focus on the academic matter to improve
themselves.
To the future researchers: This research can be used an additional literature for the
researchers of the same study. It can also help them to be guided and improve this research.
The study needs improvement and it can also use for some future studies.
 Conceptual Frame Work
Independent Variable Dependent

Challenges encountered and

strategies of the college Employment after graduate
graduate

This concept shows the independent and dependent and dependent variable,
Challenges of Graduate Students in finding Employment After Graduation and manifest the
effect caused by the independent variable.
The dependent variables are the Employment after Graduate and manifest the effect
caused by the independent variable.
It shows the relation of the two variables and give the summary of the study. The
arrow painful the Employment After Graduate because it is dependent variable. Challenges
encountered and strategies of the college graduate it finding Employment After Graduate
either negative or positive.
 Chapter II
Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents the related literature and studies on the effect of challenges
among college graduate people to the different aspects in life specially in mental which can
affect the employment performance of the college graduate. Review of related literature
contains previous theories which are connected to the research problem of the study.
Everyone knows that people especially (college graduates) continue to experience
various forms of challenges in every situation and place.
The number of members of college graduates continue to grow in different nations
and places. There are different ways how these members of the group felt the challenges
encountered particularly to the learners in employment. In every way, challenges encountered
these certain groups of people, there are consequences and effects that may occur in the
different aspects of their life especially physiological which can affect the employment
performance of the college graduates.
Getting a job is the next step for most of the fresh graduates after obtaining a degree.
It is not surprising that they will encounter various challenges in the workplace as this could
be the first time they are exposed to a working environment. Fresh graduates may not have
prepared themselves well for work. The time students spent in universities does not by itself
means that they are ready to meet the demands in their jobs. In particular, the author pointed
out that fresh graduates may not be able to work in a team and handle different people with
different characters in the workplace. Striking a balance between work demand and personal
life and handling their financial issues are also some of the challenges faced by the fresh
graduates (Heang, Ching, Mee, and Huei, 2019). The challenges in terms of financial issues
has been proved to be one of the factors that affect fresh graduates in finding employment
after graduation.
Graduates in job interviews may experience challenges in recognizing the same
shared basic knowledge in the early stages of the interview. However, they could exhibit
alertness and vigilance on subjects or facts that attract the attention of the interviewer. Fresh
graduates still face difficulties in articulating effectively in job interviews, resulting in
painting a negative picture of themselves and are unlikely to be suitable for employment.
Research carried out by Majid et al (2020) indicates that graduates proficiency has better
prospects to be employed than those who were poor in proficiency. Many of these fresh
graduates’ lack effective interaction in English during interviews lose out on job prospects,
particularly in the commercial area (Arumugam et al., 2021). In job interviews, fresh
graduates may struggle their challenges encountered to identify basic knowledge early on, but
they can compensate by demonstrating alertness and attentiveness to specific subject or facts
that captured the interviewer’s interest, many of these graduates struggle with effective
communication in English during interviews, which can be significant disadvantage in
commercial job sectors.
Knowledge of practical experience obtained through field practical/placement, study
tours and campus experts visits was significant and having a positive relationship with
employability of higher learning graduates. These requirements pose a challenge for fresh
graduates as most of them do not have working experience, and cannot expect to obtain
working experience for as long as they have not obtained a job (Nikusekela and Pallangyo
2016). The importance of practical experience in the employability of higher learning
graduates cannot be overstated. Field practical/placement, study tours, and campus expert
visits provide students with valuable opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-
world settings and develop practical skills relevant to their chosen fields. These experiences
are particularly crucial for fresh graduates who may not have any working experience,
making it challenging for them to succeed in finding employment. However, the lack of
practical experience can create a vicious cycle, where graduates cannot obtain employment
without experience, but cannot gain experience without employment. To address this
challenge, universities and employers can collaborate to make strategies and provide
opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships, co-op programs,
and apprenticeships. Moreover, graduates can also leverage extracurricular activities and
volunteer work to gain relevant experience, develop their skills and demonstrate their
commitment to their chosen fields. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical
experience, higher learning graduates can increase their employability and improve their
chances of securing suitable job opportunities.
Education may provide certain skills and certification, but it does not provide work
experience, nor those skills (especially soft skills) that complement formal qualifications or
organizational or industry knowledge that may be a prerequisite for job entry. The challenge
is that education and the successful completion of trade and university graduates are not
sufficient by itself to provide access to an entry position in a chosen career. Instead, the
evidence suggests long delays between completing education and obtaining a full-time and
regular job in the career that matches the formal qualifications, and a transitional process
characterized by underemployment including insecure and irregular employment, often in an
industry or an occupation outside of the ones in which formal qualifications were obtained
(Dhakal et al., 2018, p. 4). Education is undoubtedly a valuable investment that equips
individuals with theoretical knowledge and technical skills that are relevant to their chosen
profession. However, it is important to note that education alone may not be sufficient to
secure employment in a particular field. While education provides a strong foundation, work
experience, and industry knowledge are also necessary to succeed in the job market. For
instance, a fresh university graduate who has completed a degree in computer science may
have a strong theoretical understanding of programming languages and software
development. However, without practical experience in the field, the graduate may encounter
challenges to obtain an entry-level job in the industry. Therefore, the strategy of combination
of education, work experience, soft skills, and industry knowledge is necessary in finding job
after graduation.
Scholars have treated work placement through higher education and industry
partnerships as critical strategies for making graduates more employable. Other strategies for
making graduates more employable include the establishment of internships and unpaid work
placements to enable graduates to gain experience and skills suited to the creative sector
(Mgaiwa, 2021). Work placement programs and industry partnerships are proved to be key
strategies for enhancing graduate employability. However, in addition to these initiatives,
universities and employers can also collaborate to provide internships and unpaid work
placements that specifically target the creative sector. By offering these opportunities,
graduates can gain hands-on experience and develop relevant skills that will increase their
employability within this industry. This approach not only benefits individual graduates in
facing challenges in finding employment after graduation, but also contributes to the overall
growth and sustainability of the creative sector by ensuring a pipeline of well-trained and
skilled professionals.
These are the different challenges that the students encountered in participating on
University Initiated Community extension services: lack of communication to the students,
lack of budget, time management concerns, and insufficient number of volunteers. In
participating on Institute Initiated Community extension services, they encountered financial
concerns, poor cooperation from other students, limited time for preparation of the event, and
lack of information (Baraero-Era, Tuason, and Roces, 2020, p. 147). The challenges that
students face in participating in community extension services can vary depending on
whether the initiative is university or institute initiated. University-initiated programs can
face issues such as poor communication with students, limited budget, time management
challenges, and a shortage of volunteers. Meanwhile, institute-initiated services may
encounter financial constraints, poor cooperation from other students, limited preparation
time, and insufficient information. Despite these challenges, participating in community
extension services provides a valuable opportunity for students to develop their skills, gain
practical experience, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. By identifying
and addressing these challenges, universities and institutes can ensure that graduates have the
support they need in finding employment after graduation.
According to Zambas (2018) employability, graduate skills and challenges of selected
HRM graduates of Far Eastern University Manila, if the competition is too tight,
unintentionally making a significant error or two in employment search or the shortage of
callbacks and interviews (and the amount of rejection) is weighing down; it is entirely natural
to feel overwhelmed and exhausted when applying for a new career. There are several
challenges and difficulties in acquiring an employment. The importance of employability and
graduate skills in the context of HRM graduates from Far Eastern University Manila.
However, despite possessing the necessary skills and qualifications, graduates may still face
challenges in finding employment. One such challenge is the intense competition in the job
market, which may lead to unintentional errors that could negatively impact the job
application process. Moreover, graduates may experience a shortage of callbacks and
interviews, resulting in feelings of rejection and exhaustion. These challenges can be
overwhelming, and it is natural to feel discouraged. However, it is essential to remain
persistent and continue to develop one's skills and qualifications through internships,
volunteer work, or further education to improve employability. Overall, the job search
process can be challenging, but by leveraging one's skills and qualifications, networking with
industry professionals, and staying persistent, HRM graduates can increase their chances of
finding suitable employment opportunities.
One of the reasons for graduate unemployment is a mismatch between skills and labor
market demand. It was further added that there could also be an oversupply of graduates for
certain fields (Briones et al., 2021). A factor contributing to graduates’ failure in finding
employment is the mismatch between the skills possessed by graduates and the skills
demanded by the labor market. Graduates may have qualifications in fields where there is
little demand, or their skills may not be up-to-date with the latest industry trends and
requirements. As a result, they may encounter challenges to find suitable employment
opportunities that match their qualifications. Furthermore, there may be an oversupply of
graduates in certain fields, leading to increased competition for available positions. This
situation can create a challenging job market for fresh graduates, even if they possess the
necessary skills and qualifications. To address this challenge, universities and colleges can
collaborate with industry professionals to identify in-demand skills and incorporate them into
their curriculum. Moreover, graduates can also proactively pursue opportunities to upgrade
their skills and remain current with the latest industry trends through continuous learning,
attending workshops, and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals. By staying up-
to-date with the skills demanded by the labor market and proactively seeking out
opportunities to improve their skills, graduates can increase their employability and improve
their chances of securing suitable employment opportunities.
 Chapter III
Methodology
This chapter presents the research design, the research locale, and the respondents of
the study, the data gathering procedure, the sampling, and the research instruments used by
the researcher.
Research Design
This study utilized a parallel mixed-method research since the problem is composed
of qualitative and quantitative research question. The question about the Demographic Profile
of the respondents based on their Educational Attainment , Course/Year Graduated and status
of Employment was quantitative survey. Further, the question about on Challenges do the
College Graduated in finding Employment was qualitative, and the question on what are the
Strategies done by the College Graduate applied in finding Employment was also qualitative
question.
Research Locale
This study was conducted at Polomolok South Cotabato and have limitations include
that it could not be applicable to other population or college who do not live in Polomolok
South Cotabato. Moreover, the researchers specifically choose this population since it was
their preferred source of respondents.
Respondents of the study
The respondents of the study were fifty (50) randomly selected college graduates of
Polomolok South Cotabato. The researchers chose only fresh college graduates because they
are the one who are applicable of this study of the Challenges Encountered and Strategies of
the Fresh College Graduates in the year of 2020-2022.
Research Sampling
The sampling design that was used in the study is quota purposive. Total number of
the population of the college graduates in Polomolok South Cotabato. With the large number
of 50, the researchers used 50% as the Sample size which corresponds to fifty (50)
respondents.
Table.1 Sample Size
Grade Level Total (n)
(College Graduates)
Male 25
Female 25
Total 50

Research Instrument

The researchers made the surveyed Questionnaire to be used as an instrument of the study.
The demographic profile of the respondents base on their Educational attainment,
Course/Year Graduated and Status of Employment was used a checklist survey
The researchers also made an Interview Guide Question to be used as an instrument of
the study. What Challenges do the College Graduate Encountered in Finding Employment
and What are the Strategies done by the College Graduate applied in Finding Employment
where answered by selected students.
Data Gathering Procedure
The respondents have two (2) data gathering procedure to get the important data about
the Challenges Encountered and Strategies of the College Graduates in Finding Employment.
The researchers have their interview Guide Question (IGQ) used during online google
form between the researchers and the chosen students. The question on what is the
Demographic Profile of respondents based on their Educational attainment, Course/Year
Graduated and Status of Employment, used a checklist to identify the Demographic of
Respondents. This data gathering procedure will be use to determine the quantitative of the
research.
After the researchers get a data, the researchers will transcribe of each answer. The
qualitative question which is the Challenges do the College Graduate Encountered in finding
Employment were the Interview Guide Question to identify the Challenges of the College
Graduate in finding a job and Strategies done by the College Graduate applied in finding
Employment.
The researchers used a questionnaire to determine the Challenges and Strategies
Encountered in finding a job of the College Graduates. This questionnaire was answered by
the selected students in Polomolok South Cotabato.
Statistical Treatment
Responses to the questionnaire by the College Graduates were statistically analyzed
with the data requirements of the study. Descriptive, statistics such as Frequency, Count,
Mean, Percent and rank considered.
To answer the research question about the Demographic Profile of Respondents based
on their Educational attainment, Course/Year Graduated and Status of Employment. The
researchers used checklist distribution to interpret the answer of the respondents.
To answer the research question on what Challenges do the College Graduate
Encountered in finding Employment. The researchers used Interview Guide Question to
interpret the answer of the respondents.
Furthermore, to answer the research question on what are the Strategies done by the
College Graduate applied in Finding Employment. The researcher used Interview Guide
Question to interpret the answer of the respondents.

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 Chapter IV
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This chapter deals with the presentation and interpretation of the gathered data
pertaining to the Challenges Encountered and Strategies of the College Graduates in finding
Employment After Graduation.
The first question deals about the Demographic Profile of the respondents based on
their Educational Attainment, Course/Year Graduated and Status of Employment.
(quantitative)
While the second research question deals about Challenges do the college graduate
encountered in finding employment. (qualitative)
Last, the research question deals about the strategies done by the college graduate
applied in finding employment? (qualitative)
Table 1.1: Demographic Profile of Respondents: Educational Attainment.

Educational Attainment Number of Responses Mean

Associate’s Degree 0 0
Bachelor’s Degree 32 64%
Master’s Degree 16 32%
Doctorate Degree 2 4%
Total 50 100%

The table 1.1 presents the demographic profile of respondents. The data gathered
show that most common educational attainment among the respondents is a Bachelor’s
Degree, with 32 or 64% individuals holding this qualification. Only 2 or 4% respondents
reported having a Doctorate Degree, representing a smaller subset of individuals who have
attained the highest level of academic achievement. None of the respondents reported having
an Associate’s Degree. 16% or 32% respondents reported having a Master’s Degree,
indicating a significant portion of the group pursued further education beyond a Bachelor’s
Degree.

Table 1.2 : Demographic Profile of Respondents: Course & Year Graduated.

Course and Year Number of Respondents Mean

Graduated
Before 2010 2 4%
2010-2014 7 14%
2015-2019 37 74%
2020-2022 4 8%
2023- Later 0 0
Total 50 100%

The table 1.2 presents data on the graduation years of respondents based on their
respective courses. The majority of respondents, 37 or 74% individuals graduated between
2015 and 2019, indicating a concentration of recent graduates in the dataset. A smaller group
of 2 or 4% respondents graduated before 2010. Only 7 or 14% respondents reported
graduated between 2020-2022.

Table 1.3 : Demographic Profile of Respondents: Course in College

Course in College Number of Respondents Mean

Arts and Humanities 8 16%
Business and Management 6 12%
Education 17 34%
Engineering and Technology 10 20%
Health Science 0 0
Natural Science and 6 12%
Mathematics
Social Science 3 6%
 Total 50 100%

The table 1.3 presents a summary of the number of respondents based on their college
courses. The majority of respondents, Education had the highest number of respondents, with
17 or 34% individuals, indicating a significant representation in the dataset. A smaller group
of 3 or 6% respondents of social science. Among the respondents, arts and humanities had 8
or 16% participants, followed by business and management with 6 or 12%. Engineering and
technology had 10 or 20% respondents, while health science had no participants. Natural
science and mathematics accounted for 6 or 12% respondents. In total, there were 50 or 100%
respondents considered in the data. This data highlights the distribution of respondents across
various college courses, with education being the most prevalent field among the participants.

Table 1.4 : Demographic Profile of Respondents: Employment Status

Employment Status Number of Respondents Mean
Yes, full time contractual 16 32%
Yes, part time 7 14%
No, not currently employed 4 8%
Yes, full time permanent 23 46%
Total 50 100%

The table 1.4 present data on the employment status of respondents. Out of the 50
respondents, 23 or 46% reported being full time in permanent position, indicating the largest
group within the dataset. A smaller group of 4 or 8% respondents indicated that they were not
currently employed. 16 or 32% respondents were employed full time in contractual position,
while 7 or 14% reported having part-time employment. Overall, this data provides insights
into the employment status of the respondents, with a majority holding full-time permanent
position, followed by full-time contructual and part-time employment arrangement.

Table 2: Challenges do the college graduate encounter in finding employment

Code name Significant Formulated Theme Cluster

Statement Meaning
Allyssa Knowing when to I don’t have a Career Timing and
start and lack of confidence so I don’t Decision Making
work experience. know when to start.
John Lack of companies A region or Limited Job
and pandemic. community have a Opportunities
limited number of
companies.
Wennie Lack of clear Unclear Personal Career Planning and
direction. Goals or without a Vision
clear understanding
of their personal
goals.
Cylene Maybe the company Achieving a good Competition towards
or institution have a grades often work
high standard. involves paying
Sometimes they attention to details
employ you if you and have high-
have a good grades. quality work.
Celine First and foremost Financial constraints Financial barriers
is the financial status and the high
of the applicant standard s set by
which is one of the organizations can act
hindrance that they as hindrances,
may not want to discouraging
pursue finding the individuals from
job because it has a pursuing job
lot of requirements opportunities due to
that they need to the financial burdens
provide first before and hesitations
starting, also the associated with
standard of meeting the
organization which requirements.
the applicant hesitate
to apply.
Yasmin It is very challenging Securing Experience Gap
and difficult to land employment as a
a job or be employed fresh graduate can
when you are a fresh be extremely
graduated because challenging due to
you haven’t gain any the lack of
experience yet from professional
any companies and experience and
also some of your unavailability of
documents that are required documents
needed are not yet posing obstacles to
available. obtaining job
opportunities.
Lloyd Experience, if the The lack of Experience Gap
companies be experience can
needing experienced present a significant
people and then you challenge when
don’t have companies prioritize
experience yet that hiring individuals
must be the biggest with prior
challenging part. experience, making
it difficult for
individuals without
 relevant experience
to meet the
expectations and
requirements of
these companies.
Xenon Accessibility Limited accessibility Limited Job
of job opportunities Opportunities
can pose a challenge
for fresh graduates,
as they may
encounter
difficulties in
finding suitable
employment due to
the scarcity of
openings and the
competitions with
experienced
professionals.
Kia Financial Issues Lack the necessary Financial Barriers
funds to cover
expenses related to
job searching, such
as travel costs for
interviews or
professional attire,
and may struggle
with meeting
financial
requirements for
starting a job, such
as providing
deposits for housing
or acquiring
necessary
certifications or
licenses.
Rhian Competition Competition in the Competition towards
job market creates works
challenges for
graduates as they
face increased
competition from
qualified from
candidates, requiring
them to differentiate
themselves and
demonstrate their
unique strengths to
secure employment.
 Table 2 shows the Challenges do the college graduate encountered in finding
employment.
The result shows that two (2) out of ten (10) college graduate answered that the
Challenges their Encountered is through the experience gap by showing and setting a good
example to them. This affirms the study of (Bedford,2010). There are also two (2) college
graduates who answered the challenges their encountered is through the financial barriers.
This affirms the study of (Bedford,2010) while there are another two (2) answered the
challenges encountered through the competition towards work. The affirms the study of
(Sutherland,1961).

Table 3: Strategies done by the college graduate applied in finding employment

Code Name Significant Formulated Theme Cluster

Statement Meaning
Allyssa Everyone should Having a through Job Position
really know what are understanding of the Awareness
the position that desired position
company is looking within a company
for. You should also and effectively
know how to showcasing one’s
impress and tell how abilities to
you can help their contribute to its
company. success are crucial
aspects for making
positive impact
during the job
application process.
John Pass your Taking a proactive Proactive Job Search
application letters to approach and
all hiring companies. submitting
application letters to
multiple hiring
companies increase
the chances of
securing
employment
opportunities.
Wennie Attend Career Fairs, Engaging in career Professional
enhance resume, and fairs, refining one’s Development
interview practice. resume, and having
interview skills are
proactive steps that
individuals can take
to improve their
 chances of securing
employment and
advancing their
careers.
Cylene You need to be Being authentic, Proactive Job Search
yourself, be accountable, and
responsible enough showcasing one’s
and show your best. capabilities are
essential qualities
that individuals
should embody in
order to present their
best selves and
increase their
chances of success
in various aspects of
life.
Celine Brows and Search Engaging in Trust in Higher
all you can. This extensive research Power
works with me and utilizing various
through browsing in resources, such as
social media I got a browsing social
job prayers also, as it media platforms, can
says pray and pray be effective in
and God will make a discovering job
way opportunities, while
maintaining faith
and seeking divine
intervention through
prayer can provide
guidance and open
doors for meaningful
employment.
Yasmin Always believe in Perseverance and Proactive Job Search
your self and try self-belief are
harder in every crucial in the face of
situation even failures and
through you feel like challenges, requiring
surrendering because continuous effort
of many failures and and resilience to
trials. As you go overcome obstacles;
further with your as you pursue your
plans, make sure that goals, it is essential
you showcase your to showcase your
skills and unique skills and
capabilities by abilities with
uplifting your confidence,
confidence because understanding that
at the end of the day, ultimately, the
no one can help you responsibility to
 land that job that achieve your desired
you wanted but job lies within
yourself. yourself.
Lloyd Conquer your fears Overcoming fears is Proactive Job Search
don’t mahiya vital as inaction
because walay tao na leads to stagnation
mabuhi kung di and prevents
mulihok. success,
emphasizing the
importance of taking
action and pushing
through fear in order
to achieve desired
outcomes.
Xenon Be humble and wise. The essence of Proactive Job Search
humility and
wisdom lies in
recognizing and
valuing one’s
limitations, learning
from experiences,
and making
informed decisions,
emphasizing
significance of
cultivating these
qualities for personal
growth and success.
Kia Always think that The belief in the Proactive Job Search
there is always a underlying purpose
reason behind behind every
everything that is circumstance and the
happening, so never resilience to
give up on your persevere in pursuit
dreams. of one’s dreams
highlight the
importance of
maintaining
optimism and
determination,
emphasizing the
power of positive
mindset in
overcoming
obstacles and
achieving personal
aspirations.
Rhian Dressing Emphasizing the Proactive Job Search
professional wearing significance of self-
clothes accessories. care and
 presentation in
fostering a positive
self- image.

The table 3 shows the strategies done by the college graduate applied in finding
employment. The cluster is mostly proactive job search almost 7 and others is job position
awareness and trust in higher power and professional development.
The result shows that six (6) out of ten (10) college graduate answered that effective
way on the strategies is through proactive job search by showing and setting a good example
to them. This affirms the study of (Levy,2006). There are also one (1) college graduate who
answered the effective way through professional development. There are also one (1) college
graduate who answered the effective way through job position awareness.
This affirms the study of (Levy,2006) while there are another one (1) answered the
effective way is through trust in higher power. This affirms the study of (Treschuk, 2019).
 Chapter V
SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the summary of the findings, the conclusions drawn and
Recommendations suggested by the researchers to address the Challenges Encountered of the
College Graduates in Finding Employment After Graduation.
1. The first statement of the problem which is what is the demographic profile of the
respondents based on their Educational Attainment, Course/Year Graduated, Course in
College and Status of Employment.
The first statement of the problem which is 1.1 what is the demographic profile of the
respondents based on their Educational Attainment. The data indicated that majority of
respondents on their Educational Attainment is Bachelor’s Degree, with 64% of the total
population and the lowest is 4% which is the Doctorate Degree.
The 1.2 Demographic Profile of respondents Course & year Graduated. The data
indicated that majority of respondents on their course & year Graduated is the year of 2015-
2019, with 74% of the total population and the lowest is before 2010 with 4%.
The 1.3 Demographic Profile of respondents course in college. The data indicated that
majority of respondents on their course in college is Education, with 34% of the total
population and the lowest is social science with 6%.
The 1.4 Demographic Profile of respondents Status of Employment. The data
indicated that majority of respondents on their Employment Status answered Yes, full time
permanent, with 46% of the total population and the lowest is answered No, not currently
employed with 8%.
2. In the second statement of the problem which is Challenges do the college graduate
encountered in finding employment. The data shows that affects them to their in finding
employment. While 90% of them say that their problem is competition towards work that
affect them mentally. 65% of the total respondents says that Financial Barriers that hindrance
to them.
3. In the third statement of the problem which is what are the strategies done by the
college graduate applied in finding employment. The data shows that 80% of the total
population their one of the strategies is proactive job search. While 55% of the total
population said their one strategies is Professional development that give them a big impact
due to interview. 45% of the total population said that their one strategies is trust in higher
power that give them a hope.

Conclusion
This study looks into the Challenges Encountered and Strategies of the College
Graduates in finding Employment After Graduation. The data gathered were obtained by
randomly providing 50 college graduates Google form survey only. The researchers have
drawn the following conclusions:

1. In the Demographic profile of respondents based on their Educational Attainment,

Course/Year Graduate, Course in college and Employment status college graduates of the
Polomolok South Cotabato. Our respondents Education, according to the results. And most of
them believe that their career and current professional situation have a significant impact on
their professional paths.
2. In Challenges do the college graduate encountered in finding employment. The
majority of respondents said that the challenge on them is Experience gap to their in finding a
job. Because college graduate may not have engaged in their professional work or kept up
with industry developments, resulting in a gap in their work experience.
3. In strategies done by the college graduate applied in finding employment. The
finding reveal that the majority of respondents claims that proactive job search give them big
impact in finding a job. While most of them says that professional development give them a
confident on their self. Majority of them claims that they need to be responsible enough and
show their best performance.

Recommendations
This study undertaken to find out the Challenges Encountered and Strategies of the
College Graduate in finding Employment After Graduation. Benefiting the study are the
various sectors as flows;
The students: This study serve as reminder for them to be mindful of the influence of
finding a job and manage their focus on their studies.
To the school Administrator: The result of this study may provide information and
may serve as a basis to encourage them to take action about the problem. In addition, this
may lead them to assuring the strategies and actions implementation regarding to the result of
the study. The college graduates should know how to control their self to the problem they
encounter.
 The Teacher: In order for them to know the situation of the challenges encountered
and strategies of the college graduate in finding employment after graduation. To give an
advice to the students in the ethical standards in dealing challenges of the students.
The Parents: The study may help them to guide and to discipline their children on
how will make them realize the condition of the graduate student and motivate them. The
parents should keeping in touch to them from in time to time, they should be mindful and also
be aware of their child's mental health due to impact of challenges.
The Future Researcher: Future Researchers can make use of this study as a
reference in their similar studies. And also to scrutinize variables that were not incorporated.

Bibliography

Nwosu, Jonathan C., John Henry Chukwudi (October 2018) Entrepreneurship Education and
the Challenges of Graduate Employability in Nigeria
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Chukwudi/publication/328190004_Entrepreneursh
ip_Education_and_the_Challenges_of_Graduate_Employability_in_Nigeria/links/
5bbdb064299bf1049b78a47c/Entrepreneurship-Education-and-the-Challenges-of-Graduate-
Employability-in-Nigeria.pdf

Hao, J., Welch, A. A Tale of Sea Turtles: Job-Seeking Experiences of Hai Gui (High-Skilled
Returnees) in China. High Educ Policy 25, 243–260 (01 May 2012).
https://doi.org/10.1057/hep.2012.4
 Appendix A
Sampling Method
Grade Level Total (n)
(College Graduates)

Male 25

Female 25

Total 50

Central Tendency Mean

APPENDIX B
 Challenges Encountered and Strategies of the College Graduates in Finding
Employment After Graduation

Name (optional):___________________________________________________________

General Direction: kindly indicate your answers for each of the statement below, put a
check (/) inside the box that corresponds to your answer. Please answer honestly.

Part I. Demographic Profile of Respondents

A. Educational attainment
What is your highest level of education completed?

Associate’s degree (2 years)

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Doctorate degree

B. Course and year graduated

1. What year did you graduate from college?

Before 2010

2010 – 2014

2015 – 2019

2020 – 2022

2023 – later

2. What was your course in college?

Arts and Humanities

Business and Management

Education

Engineering and Technology

Health Sciences

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Social Sciences

C. Employment status
3. Are you currently employed?

Yes, full time contractual

Yes, part time

No, not currently employed

Yes, full time permanent

Part II. Data Collection

1. What challenges do the college graduate encountered in finding employment?

1.1 What are your challenges when trying to find employment?
1.2 What are the reason’s that college graduate struggle to find in three level position?
1.3 What is your most unforgettable challenge came on your way when finding
employment?

2. What are the strategies by the college graduate applied in finding employment?
2.1 What did you do to find or get a job?
2.2 Did you experience attending career fairs and job after you graduate? How do your
job exposure after graduation?
2.3 What are the important skills that fresh graduates need to posses to be successful in
their job search?
2.4 What are your ways applied for you to find an employment?
 Appendix C
Data Gathering Procedure
Part 1.1 Demographic Profile of Respondents: Educational Attainment
Associate’s Bachelor’s Master’s Doctorate
Degree Degree Degree Degree
R1 1
R2 1
R3 1
R4 1
R5 1
R6 1
R7 1
R8 1
R9 1
R10 1
R11 1
R12 1
R13 1
R14 1
R15 1
R16 1
R17 1
R18 1
R19 1
R20 1
R21 1
R22 1
R23 1
R24 1
R25 1 1
R26 1
R27 1
R28 1
R29 1 1
R30 1
R31 1
R32 1 1
R33 1
R34 1
R35 1
R36 1
R37 1 1
R38 1
R39 1
R40
R41 1
R42 1
R43
R44 1
R45 1
R46
R47 1
R48 1
R49 1
R50
32 16
0 64% 32% 4%
 Appendix D
Documentation
 Curriculum Vitae
Name: Brix Bryan Baldoquin
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Birthdate: December 14,2001
Name of Mother: Evangeline Baldoquin
Name of Father: Lolito Baldoquin

Educational Background

Elementary: Polomolok Central Elementary School

(2009-2014)
Junior High School: Poblacion Polomolok National High School ( 2014-2019)
Senior Hiigh School: Polomolok National High School (2022-2023)
 Curriculum Vitae
Age: 19

Birth: July 11 2003

Father Name: Erwin Napalit Somono

Occupation:Mechanico

Mother Name:Jocelyn Tallafer Tamayo

Occupation:Housewife

•Education Background

Elementary: Polo Elementary School (2011-2016)

Junior High School: Polomolok National High School (2017-2020)

Senior High School: Polomolok National High School (2022-2023

Curriculum Vitae
John Paul Silvela
 JOVAN

APPENDIX E
March 20, 2023
Murdy F. Bautista
School Principal
Polomolok Central Elementary School
Pioneer Avenue, Poblacion, Polomolok, South Cotabato
Madam:
Greetings!
The undersigned are the student researchers of Polomolok National High School
undertaking a research entitled Challenges Encountered and Strategies of the College
Graduate in Finding Employment After Graduation.
In line with this academic endeavor, we would like to ask your permission to allow us
to conduct a survey in your school. We can assure that the confidentiality of the data gathered
will be applied. Your approval is highly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Respectfully Yours,

Brix Bryan Baldoquin Cyrene Somono

Jessamae Naranjo John Paul Silvela
Jovan Casidsid
The Researchers

Noted by:
Karen Adajar- Zambra
Research Teacher

Approved by:
Murdy F. Bautista