Career

Pathways
CHAPTER 13
 Overview
During adolescence, individuals cultivate decision-
making skills that significantly influence their career
choices. Early mastery of this skill offers an
advantage over those who make decisions without
careful consideration. Career decisions during late
adolescence are influenced by personal and
external factors, requiring thoughtful assessment
and deliberation.
External Factors Influencing
Career Choices
1. FAMILY/PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS
Family, particularly parents and siblings, exert a significant influence on a
person's life and career choices, especially in Filipino culture. The "debt of
gratitude" concept often leads children to prioritize their parents'
expectations and advice when making career decisions. Parents' shared
experiences play a pivotal role in guiding adolescents towards suitable
career paths.
External Factors Influencing
Career Choices
2. ECONOMIC STATUS AND SCHOOL
When selecting a career, the choice of school plays a vital role.
Consider factors like accessibility, available courses, tuition
costs, facilities, and alignment with your needs and abilities.
Assess whether your family can comfortably cover tuition, fees,
and related expenses.
External Factors Influencing
Career Choices

3. COMMUNITY CULTURE
Community culture significantly influences an individual's career
decisions by shaping their values, expectations, and standards.
These cultural factors play a pivotal role in guiding individuals
toward specific career choices.
External Factors Influencing
Career Choices
4. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Career decisions are often swayed by employment prospects,
with individuals opting for fields offering better job
opportunities to avoid unemployment or underemployment after
graduation.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Agriculture and Related Fields - Veterinary Medicine
PROS
For animal lovers, a career as a
veterinarian offers the advantage
of working with diverse animals and
practicing various medical
specialties, such as surgery,
internal medicine, cardiology, and
oncology. Graduates of this field
can pursue opportunities in
government offices, agricultural
industries, schools, farms,
laboratories, research offices, and
private practice, often leading to
rewarding salaries.
CONS
Students pursuing veterinary
medicine must possess high
intelligence, attentiveness,
courage, passion, and physical
strength for animal care. In
addition, they should be
prepared to handle challenging
situations with pet owners, as
veterinary work can be
demanding.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Engineering - BS Civil Engineering

PROS CONS

Engineering careers Engineering work is often

frequently lead to well- stressful with erratic and
compensated managerial heavy workloads, marked
roles, providing access to by intense competition for
numerous opportunities. advancement. Success in
This field offers a wealth civil engineering, in
of global job prospects. particular, demands
proficiency in abstract
mathematics.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Science and Math - BS Biology
PROS
The field of biology offers various
specializations for undergraduates,
leading to roles such as biological
technicians, microbiologists, and
molecular biologists. Advanced
degrees further expand career
opportunities, including
biochemistry and biophysics.
Graduates can find employment in
education, research institutions,
government, private industry, and
even pursue medical careers.
CONS
Prospective students should
excel in science, possess strong
intellectual abilities, good
memory, and determination to
navigate the competitive
landscape for research and
faculty positions in higher
education. Furthermore, this
profession may involve exposure
to hazardous materials and
substances in the workplace.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Information Technology - Computer Science

PROS CONS

Computer science offers strong current Computer Science entails

job prospects, with further growth significant math requirements,
anticipated due to the widespread use of which may be challenging for
computers and software. Careers in this those who dislike the subject. It
field are financially rewarding, often also demands logical thinking,
offering high starting salaries that can problem-solving skills, and
increase over time based on creativity. Students often invest
performance and company policies.
extended hours to complete their
Compared to longer IT courses, a
projects.
computer science degree can be
completed in four years, potentially
leading to higher earnings, making it
ideal for those who prefer programming
over customer service.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Teacher Education - Major in SPED (Special Education)
PROS
Becoming a Special Education
(SPED) Teacher is fulfilling for
individuals naturally inclined to
care for those with special needs.
The satisfaction arises from the
ability to shape and improve the
lives of children with disabilities.
CONS
SPED teachers face a heavier
workload than regular teachers,
requiring extra time and effort to
prepare lessons for each special
child, along with substantial
paperwork for individualized
progress and performance reports.
Successful special educators must
be patient, sensitive, and creative
in meeting the needs of children
with significant challenges.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Health Sciences - Pharmacy
PROS
Pharmacy offers lower stress
levels compared to many other
medical professions, with strong
job security due to high demand.
Pharmacists earn well and are
respected for their role in
healing. They provide
vaccinations to prevent
infectious diseases and offer
curative medications for those in
pain.
CONS
Pharmacy school courses
are challenging, and
pharmacists often work in
shifts due to the 24/7
operation of pharmacies.
Advancement opportunities
may be limited, leading
many to remain as generic
pharmacists.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Arts and Humanities - AB Philosophy

PROS CONS

Studying philosophy equips Philosophy demands

individuals with valuable skills for concentration, abstract
examining issues from various angles, thinking, a humanities and
making it a versatile choice for a social sciences interest, and
range of professions. It serves as an common sense. However, job
excellent foundation for fields like postings specifically seeking
journalism, institutional leadership, Philosophy graduates are
and politics, and is a prerequisite for relatively scarce.
pursuing theology in priestly
congregations. The decreasing
number of philosophy students has
resulted in a high demand for
qualified philosophy professors in
universities.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Social and Behavioral Sciences - BS Psychology
PROS
Studying Psychology not only
enhances personal and social
skills but also offers valuable
knowledge of psychological
theories. Psychology graduates
have a wide range of career
prospects in fields such as
education, corporate settings,
mental health institutions, and
various businesses. The degree
can also serve as a stepping stone
for further education through
master's degree programs in the
field.
CONS
Psychology is demanding,
involving extensive research
and group work. Due to high
competition in the job market,
pursuing a master's degree or
additional units can provide
an advantage. Generally,
Psychology graduates earn
less than their counterparts
with other Bachelor of
Science degrees.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Business Administration and Related Courses - BS Accountancy
PROS
Accounting offers substantial
growth potential, with
opportunities to advance quickly
to higher positions like manager,
business partner, or firm owner.
Accountants are in high demand,
playing crucial roles across
various industries, leading to
competitive salaries and benefits.
The accounting field also offers
diverse career paths, including
management, financial, auditing,
and taxation specialties.
CONS
Becoming a Certified Public
Accountant (CPA) requires
dedicated and studious
preparation for challenging
board exams. Accounting work
can be repetitive, meticulous,
and computer-intensive,
potentially leading to long hours
and stress, particularly during
tax season. The profession's
competitiveness and the nature
of the work may not suit all
personality types.
Pros and Cons of Some Career Options
Architecture - BS Architecture
PROS
Architecture is a fulfilling
and creative profession
where ideas become reality,
offering constant
opportunities for design
creativity. Architects
experience ongoing learning
and evolution within the
field.
CONS
Architecture demands an
extended training period,
typically eight years,
comprising a five-year
bachelor's degree and a
three-year internship. This
profession often involves
long working hours, with
common overtime
requirements.
Career Plan
Career planning is crucial for long-term success,
providing individuals with a roadmap to navigate
uncertainties and distractions.
Through self-assessment, they identify strengths
and weaknesses, aligning them with available
opportunities.
Career planning merges strategic planning and
marketing principles to empower individuals to
control their professional future.
It's a purposeful endeavor that sets clear
objectives and defines the necessary steps to
achieve them, enhancing the likelihood of long-
term success. Engaging in career planning is
essential for individuals pursuing their
professional goals.
Thank you
for listening!