International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
ISSN (Online): 2455-9024
University of Cebu – Main Campus Mechanical
Engineering Graduates of School Years 2017-2022: A
Tracer Study
Carol Jane D. Bernabe1, Julieto T. Negapatan2, Honey Grace D. Garcia3, Rodel T. Naval4,
John Roland M. Arcallana5
1,2,3,4,5
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cebu – Main Campus, Cebu City, Philippines
Email: 1caroljanebernabe@gmail.com; 2julieto21.negapatana@gmail.com
Abstract— This paper discusses the findings of the tracer research of
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering alumni of the
University of Cebu-Main Campus who graduated between 2018 and
2022. The primary goal of this research was to evaluate the graduates'
professional position to develop an action plan for the University of
Cebu College of Engineering Program. The study will assess the
relevance and efficacy of the BSME curricula, the graduates'
knowledge, abilities, and values in the workplace, and other
educational issues affecting their career. The questionnaire used in the
CHED tracer study was employed in a descriptive design by the
researchers. This study received responses from 296 alumni. Most
graduates have professions that are related to their degree studies. The
applicability of the undergraduate curriculum to professional
requirements was its main strength. However, the study identified
extracurricular activities and a few elective courses as areas for
improvement. To be in sync with the global education system, the
institution must prioritize student mobility, quality assurance, and
research clusters.
Keywords— Academic Competency, Mechanical Engineering,
Professional Standing, Graduation, Trace Study.
I. INTRODUCTION
A major source for curriculum development must be tracer
study. Through tracer studies, universities and institutions can
determine how pleased graduates are with the atmosphere,
services, and facilities at their schools. The university can
assess the relevance of its different courses, which will help to
improve the quality of education there.
Graduate employability is one of the metrics used by higher
education institutions to guarantee that the level of education
they deliver is appropriate for industry needs according [1].
From 2017 to 2022, determine the job status of Mechanical
Engineering graduates. The institution's consistent purpose is to
develop graduates who have the information and skill set
required to fulfill local and worldwide standards, hence
increasing the value of a tracing study. Through this research,
the university will be able to analyze the importance and
application of the programs it delivers, improve those
programs, and provide a high-quality education to its
constituents.
The study will look at the effectiveness and relevance of the
BSME curricula, the graduates' knowledge, abilities, and values
in the workplace, as well as other educational issues affecting
their job.
94
Carol Jane D. Bernabe, Julieto T. Negapatan, Honey Grace D. Garcia, Rodel T. Naval, and John Roland M. Arcallana, “University of Cebu – Main
Campus Mechanical Engineering Graduates of School Years 2017-2022: A Tracer Study,” International Research Journal of Advanced
Engineering and Science, Volume 8, Issue 2, pp. 94-97, 2023.
A. Statement of the Problem
Mechanical Engineering graduates from the University of
Cebu's S.Y. will be assessed according to their professional
level from 2017 through 2022. The findings will be used to
develop a suggested intervention plan.
The study sought to answer the following questions.
1. The gender of the graduates and the date of graduation are
particularly important in terms of the following personal
attributes.
2. current employment scenario and job title of grads.
3. the graduates' requirement for the program's educational
objectives.
4. Professional Mechanical Engineering education (such as
Powerplant, Industrial Plant, and Machine Design),
Science and Engineering Mathematics, and General
Education Courses all have a part in deciding how useful
students' knowledge and skills are to their chosen sector of
employment.
5. graduates should make the curriculum more relevant to
today's occupations.
6. When graduates are classified by graduation year, there is a
significant difference in their perceptions of how relevant
the program's educational objectives are.
7. Possible intervention strategies.
B. Cited Sources
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
PACUCOA Accreditors, carefully examines the learning
requirements in various universities for higher education
considering the rising complexity of the twenty-first century.
One of these crucial elements is a tracer study that will be done
on university graduates. University Graduate Tracer Studies are
frequently becoming a well-known practice all around the
world. According to [2], “It is advised that colleges preserve
databases of their graduates after they graduate and develop
alumni associations to aid in updating the database.”
It was also discovered that, despite inconsistent outcomes
on personality and entrepreneurial traits, the curriculum
enhanced graduates' hopes for the future according to [3].
A study also found that stakeholder groups were blaming
each other for who should be held accountable for the skills gap,
with factors such as impractical university curricula, ongoing
 International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
ISSN (Online): 2455-9024

labor market changes, and students' passivity in planning and The researchers will maintain confidentiality and
developing their careers being perceived as the most influential, appropriate research etiquette during the Study.
according to [4].
“It has been revealed that, independent of the work, some of TABLE 1: Distribution of Research Respondents
the most sought-after abilities are connected to interpersonal School No. of
Sample Percentage
Year Graduates
connections, flexibility, and negotiation skills, all of which 2017-2018 129 53 41.09%
communicative competences have been investigated utilizing 2018-2019 117 58 49.57%
educational, linguistic, and communicative methodologies. It is 2019-2020 94 45 47.87%
believed that communicative skills can substantially assist fresh 2020-2021 151 59 39.07%
2021-2022 123 81 65.85%
graduates in developing their social and professional TOTAL 614 296 48.21%
potential.”, according to [5]. Additionally, "Graduates who are
competitive in the work market are often dependent on the III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
schools' good curricula. Graduates compete with one another TABLE 2: Profile of the BSME Graduates
for jobs in a variety of fields. Many graduates struggle to find Frequency Percentage
work due to a dearth of available options.”, according to [6]. Gender
Therefore, it is difficult to ignore graduates' employability Male 241 81.42%
Female 55 18.58%
in the global economy, according to [7]. These types of studies Civil Status
are now the primary methods for identifying the areas of Single 198 66.89%
strength and weakness among an institution's alumni. Married 87 29.39%
According to [8], "Graduate tracer studies (GTS) are crucial to Born a child but not married 11 3.72%
Higher Education Institutions because they allow them to adjust Region of Origin
7 251 84.80%
changes in society, particularly the expectations of current and 8 31 10.47%
potential employers, through evaluation and continuous 10 14 4.73%
revision of their curricula. As a result, the current investigation
is underway”. Table 2 shows that eighty-one-point sixty-two (81.42%) are
male. Most of the respondents are single and are from region 7,
II. METHODOLOGY
which comprises eighty-four-point eighty percent (84.80%) of
The researchers will use a descriptive research approach, in the sample.
which the researcher just recounts the existing condition
without attempting to manipulate any of the factors, [9]. The TABLE 3: Current Employment Status of the Graduates
target respondents for the tracer study are graduates of the Frequency Percentage
Employed 281 94.93%
University of Cebu's BSME degree from 2017 to 2021. The Unemployed 14 4.73%
responses will be made up of all graduates from the stated year. Never 1 0.34%
The researchers will identify grads using the list of graduates
provided by the university's registrar's office. Table 3 presents the employment status of the graduates. Out
This research will be carried out by researchers from the of 296 respondents, 281 or 94.93% were employed and 14 or
University of Cebu's BSME department. Because of their 4.73% were unemployed.
extensive knowledge of diverse Mechanical Engineering
techniques, the faculty anticipates gathering, tabulating, TABLE 4: Graduates with advance studies and their reasons
assessing, and giving credible judgements. Frequency Percentage Rank
For promotion 20 6.76% 3
A. Data Gathering Procedure For professional development 48 16.22% 2
No reason 4 1.35% 4
The researchers will use a quantitative approach to collect
No advance studies taken 224 75.68% 1
data. A survey questionnaire will be developed based on the
study's objectives.
Table 4 shows that one-hundred three (224) had not taken
The online survey for the Tracer Study and PEO will be
advance studies, forty-eight (48) chose to have advance or
created using Google Docs Survey Facility. It will be accessible
further study for professional development, twenty (20) for
via the ME Department's official Gmail account. The
promotion, and four (4) without any reason.
questionnaire is divided into three sections: POE, Skill-
Table 5 shows the employment data of the graduates. One-
Competencies learnt in school, and the profile and history of the
hundred twenty-seven or 42.91% of the employed graduates are
respondents.
regular or permanent employees; twenty-eight or 9.46% are
The online Tracer Study / PEO survey questionnaire will be
casual; ninety-seven or 32.77% are contractual; and forty-four
delivered to each alumnus’s most recent email address. The
or 14.86% are self-employed.
researchers will also use the Private Group Page / Group Chat
Following the Philippine Standard Occupational
on Facebook and Messenger to achieve a minimum return of
Classification (PSOC) [10], results revealed that One-hundred
completed survey forms.
ninety or 64.19% work locally, and one-hundred six or 35.81%
Statistical methods will be used to generate quantitative
work abroad.
data.

95

Carol Jane D. Bernabe, Julieto T. Negapatan, Honey Grace D. Garcia, Rodel T. Naval, and John Roland M. Arcallana, “University of Cebu – Main
Campus Mechanical Engineering Graduates of School Years 2017-2022: A Tracer Study,” International Research Journal of Advanced
Engineering and Science, Volume 8, Issue 2, pp. 94-97, 2023.
 International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
ISSN (Online): 2455-9024

On their first jobs, fifty-nine or 19.93% of the graduates respondents, work as teachers, followed by construction which
made fifteen thousand to less than twenty thousand gross is 18.24% of the respondents. The best reason for accepting the
monthly income. Thirty-one or 10.47% were making twenty- job is career challenge or 33.45% of total responses, followed
five thousand and above gross monthly income. by salaries and benefits, 31.75%.
Table 7 presents the strategies of the respondents in finding
TABLE 5: Employment Data of Graduates their first job. The results showed that ninety-four or 31.76%
Frequency Percentage of the respondents found their first job as a walk-in applicant.
Present Employment Data
Regular or Permanent 127 42.91% The last rank was through the company contacting them and
Casual 28 9.46% offered a job opportunity, which comprised 2.03% of the
Contractual 97 32.77% strategies used by the employed respondents. Most of the
Self-employed 44 14.86% graduates landed their first jobs in one to six months, while
Place of Work
some in less than a month.
Local 190 64.19%
Abroad 106 35.81%
Gross Monthly earning on the first job TABLE 8: Jobs Related to the Degree Obtained in College
P5,000.00 to less than P10,000.00 59 19.93% Frequency Percentage
P10,000.00 to less than P15,000.00 118 39.86% Related to Degree 221 74.66%
P15,000.00 to less than P20,000.00 58 19.59% Not Related to Degree 75 25.34%
P20,000.00 to less than P25,000.00 31 10.47% Total 296
P25,000 and above 30 10.14%
Table 8 presents the job associated with the degree obtained
TABLE 6: Field of Employment of Graduates in college. Two hundred twenty-one or 74.66% of the employed
Frequency Percentage graduates claimed that their jobs are related to their degree
Line of business of the company
Manufacturing 33 11.15%
obtained in college. Seventy-five, or 75%, claimed that their
Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 31 10.47% jobs are associated with their degree.
Construction 54 18.24% Undergraduates perceive a net financial gain from their
Wholesale and Retail Trade 29 9.80% investment in higher education; however, this is decreasing due
Real Estate, Renting and Business to rising tuition prices, student debt, and interest payments,
44 14.86%
Activities
Education 65 21.96% which are lowering earning premiums. As they advance, they
Other community, social and personal feel more employable on a personal level, but less employable
19 6.42%
activities on a market level due to graduate market competitiveness and
Private households with employed persons 11 3.72% cost/benefit resource conflict [11].
Extra-territorial and Organizations and
10 3.38%
Bodies
Best reason for accepting the jobs TABLE 9: Academic Competencies Utilized in the Current Job
Salaries and benefits 94 31.75% Indicator Frequency Rank
Career challenge 99 33.45% Communication Skills 213* 4
Related to special skills 84 28.38% Human Relation Skills 181* 5
Proximity to residence 19 6.42% Knowledge and Technical Skills 264* 2
Information Technology Skills 181* 5
Problem-solving skills 231* 3
TABLE 7: Strategies to Find First Job Leadership Skills 274* 1
Method of applying on their Research Skills 131* 6
Frequency Percentage Rank
first job *Multiple responses.
Response to an advertisement 42 14.19% 4
As walk-in applicant 94 31.76% 1
Recommended by someone 92 31.08% 2 Table 9 presents the academic competencies used by most
Information from Friends 62 20.95% 3 respondents in their current job. Leadership skills are the
The company contacted me number one academic competency used by the graduates in
6 2.03% 5
and offered a job opportunity
their current position, followed by Knowledge and Technical
Length of time it took to
land on first job skills, among others.
Less than a month 165 55.74% 2
1 to 6 months 181 61.15% 1 IV. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
7 to 11 months 50 16.89% 3 A. Conclusion
Length of stay in first job
1 to 6 months 84 28.37% 2 This study's findings are relevant for various reasons. First,
7 to 11 months 102 34.46% 1 the research findings were critical in resolving issues with the
1 year to less than 2 years 80 27.03% 3 university's curriculum, causes of underemployment among
2 years to less than 3 years 10 3.38% 5
3 years to less than 4 years 7 2.36% 6 graduates, job search length, and income. Second, research,
4 years to less than 10 years 13 4.39% 4 information technology, and interpersonal skills must be given
20 years + 0 0 7 special focus. Third, people pursuing a Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Engineering will have a firm understanding of the
Table 6 presents the field of employment of the graduates. elements that make college graduates more desirable, serving as
The result showed that the majority, or 21.96% of the a springboard for their career preparation. Finally, the University

96

Carol Jane D. Bernabe, Julieto T. Negapatan, Honey Grace D. Garcia, Rodel T. Naval, and John Roland M. Arcallana, “University of Cebu – Main
Campus Mechanical Engineering Graduates of School Years 2017-2022: A Tracer Study,” International Research Journal of Advanced
Engineering and Science, Volume 8, Issue 2, pp. 94-97, 2023.
 International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
of Cebu can strengthen its career counseling program by
providing students with seminars and workshops before they
graduate to help them acquire job entry skills.
According to the researchers, most University of Cebu
graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical
Engineering were permanently employed in fields related to
their degree programs, utilizing their specialized knowledge,
technical skills, leadership abilities, and problem-solving
abilities. While most graduates were paid well in their first
occupations, others were paid less than the minimum wage.
Several graduates were unemployed during this research due to
family obligations. Fortunately, the time it takes graduates to
locate their first jobs is usually between one and six months.
B. Recommendations
Based on the study's findings, the researchers recommend
the following:
i. Academic leaders, faculty, and industry representatives
must review the curriculum on a regular basis to ensure that
graduates have the knowledge and skills required to be
highly employable in the industry, which will improve the
marketability of the BSME program and its graduates'
employment prospects.
ii. Students should receive highly relevant on-the-job training
after graduating and passing the board exam, which
provides them with a variety of work options and significant
experience in assessing the engineering skills they need to
develop.
iii. To avoid students having to learn these skills on the job, the
institution should invest in its laboratory facilities to meet
industry standards.
iv. Given that most businesses desire graduates with experience
using engineering software, investing in engineering
software should be one of the university's long-term goals
for enhancing the employability of its graduates.
v. As a last point of reference for improving the engineering
curriculum, more tracer studies from other programs are
given.
97
Carol Jane D. Bernabe, Julieto T. Negapatan, Honey Grace D. Garcia, Rodel T. Naval, and John Roland M. Arcallana, “University of Cebu – Main
Campus Mechanical Engineering Graduates of School Years 2017-2022: A Tracer Study,” International Research Journal of Advanced
Engineering and Science, Volume 8, Issue 2, pp. 94-97, 2023.
ISSN (Online): 2455-9024
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to express gratitude to their family,
friends, and relatives for their unwavering support throughout
the research process.
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