FACTORS AFFECTING THE CAREER PREFERENCES OF GRADE 10 LEARNERS

I. Background of the Study

The SHS program was introduced in the Philippines in 2012 as part of the K-12 program to Improve
the country’s educational system.

Choosing a senior high school strand is one of the most Challenging decisions that junior high school
students will have to face. The strand that they will choose will serve as their training ground before
they will enter college. Choosing The appropriate SHS track is an essential decision for grade 10
students because it can have a significant impact on their future academic and professional careers. In
Grade 10 at Junior High School, students share a common curriculum but get to choose their focus area:
Academics, Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TVL), Sports, or Arts and Design. For those keen on
academics, there are more options within the Academic Track, like Humanities and Social Sciences
(HUMMS), Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM), and Science, Technology and Engineering
(STEM), and

Several studies have been conducted on the factors that influence students’ track preference, and
they have identified several determinants of SHS track preference. For instance, Dela Cruz et al. (2020)
found that academic performance, peer influence, parental guidance, and career aspirations Were
significant predictors of students’ track preference Lorenz et al., (2020) found that students’ Interest,
career goals, and perceived benefits of the track were the primary factors that influenced their track
preference.

Researchers conducted this kind of study to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing
their choices. This information helps educational institutions, policymakers, and educators develop
strategies to improve the guidance and support provided to students during this crucial decision-making
period.

The benefits that the students can get in this study are knowing more about these factors,
preparedness about choosing a strand and to understand their motivations and interest in choosing a
preferred strand. For teachers it could help them give more effective guidance and to create a more
motivating environment. It also benefits us researchers by advancing their understanding of the effect of
these factors in choosing their strand.

That’s why the researchers decided to interview the grade 10 learners in ANHS on what factors
influence their preferred strand.

II. Statement of the Problem

1. What are the strand preferences of the grade 10 learners?

2. What were the factors contributory to the strand preferences of the Grade 10?
3. How do the factors influence the strand preferences of the Grade 10?
 III. Hypothesis

1. Most of the Grade 10 leaners will probably choose STEM and HUMSS as their preferred strand.
2. They selected their preferred strand based on the combination of both personal interest and
peer influence.
3. These factors influence the learners in choosing their strand by affecting their reasoning and
opinionated view.

IV. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

The Philippine’s K-12 Curriculum

In the implemented curriculum, some changes gave learners more time to focus and master what
they needed to live. Two years were added to secondary education, which they labeled senior high
school. It has two grade levels, which are Grades 11 and 12. These different grades have their
specializations or tracks students can freely choose from. However, choosing a track is a difficult
challenge, and it tests one’s decision-making skills. Certain factors influence a student’s decision when
deciding which track to be on.

Personal interest, academic aptitude, familiarity with the subject, and peer influence are the most
frequently mentioned characteristics among learners, according to a study by Fizer (2013). Other
elements mentioned in Manapsal’s study (2018) that are seen as helpful when adolescents ask for
assistance include their parents, professors, friends, and classmates. Given the various criteria
mentioned, it is clear that making a decision is essential since students must consider various things.
However, some kids continue to believe that the senior high school track they select will not matter in
the future. Thus, they make no considerations. (Cabanias, 2021).

A. Parental Influence and Career Choice

The article Parental Involvement in Education (2023) shows that parental involvement in a child’s
education is consistent and has caused a positive relationship between parents and their child. However,
the article published by Gaunt (2013) contradicted the previous citation by stating that being overly
involved can be a problem or issue for a child. It was even added that students get too distracted by the
presence of their parents.

In some movements or anything that needs to be decided on, parents would intervene or get
themselves involved, and these interventions have influenced their children. This situation is evident,
especially when students decide on their careers. The results of the study by Kumar (2016) reveal that
parents significantly influence career choice among students. It was learned that parents have an
important influence on students’ career choices.
 The influence of parents on their child’s choice of track and strand is as evident as their influence on
career choice. The survey results in the study of Cervera et al. (2016) show that the interpretation of
parental influence was high. This result means that parental influence on learners plays a big role in
choosing their preferred track and strand in senior high school. Meanwhile, the results of the study by
Tortor et al. (2020) show that the parents’ influence has more influence than the learner’s personal
interests. In contrast with the two studies, Abarro (2016) presents the results of their study, which show
no association between parental influence and track choices. These findings mean that even if parents
get involved in their child’s education a lot, their influence still differs.

B. Influence of Peers in the Career Choice of the Students

Peers that surround us are necessary, especially in social life. Peer relationships provide effects that
might be positive, such as learning social-emotional skills like empathy and cooperation, or negative,
such as poor social-emotional development that resulted from deviant peer processes. Likewise,
learners are also influenced in their decision-making, and choosing a career is not exempted. According
to the study of Kazi and Akhlaq (2017), peer influence is the second most significant factor next to
parental influence when it comes to career choice. The study analyzed their semi-structured interview
and found that learners are more comfortable and confident making career choices with their friends.
This result shows that the mere presence of their friends can significantly affect their decisions. The
study by Koech et al. (2016) discussed how peers greatly influence a student’s career choice, especially
when their friends are mentoring or advising them and when they approve of whatever choice they
make. Peer influence is evident in the choice of course in college, too, along with parents’ decisions and
students’ abilities. However, among the three factors, peer influence has the lowest influence on college
course choice (Dupan et al.,

Moneva and Malbas (2019) conducted a study that showed that peer influence significantly
influences choosing the senior high school track. They noticed that peers influence students’ preferred
tracks, which makes choosing a senior high school track more difficult. It makes decisions more difficult
to the point that they described it as “one of the biggest challenges” to a student’s decision-making.

C. Students’ Interest in Career Choice

Personal interests significantly influence career decisions because they are crucial to the type of
employment someone wants. People will work extremely hard and dedicate themselves to achieving
their career goals. Also, the student’s interest is what fuels their desire, encouraging them to participate
more in what they are passionate about (Abdo & Majid, 2016).
  Paradigm of the Study

INPUTS PROCESS OUTPUTS

A. Learners’ thoughts A. Interview of the selected learners

about choosing via questionnaires.
tracks. B. Identifying and understanding the
B. factors affecting their preferences.
C. Analyzation.

V. Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will accentuate the Grade 10 learners’ preferences to their choice of
strand considering the factors affecting their decisions. Given that these various factors play a role in
shaping their preferences justifies the need to understand the reasons behind their choices. The results
of the study will be of great value to the following:

For the learners, it will aid them greatly for creating a firm foundation of knowledge and
understanding to base their decisions, void from hesitations or last-minute choices.

As for the parents, they would gain understanding, broadening their view to guide their children to
make a better choice. With their good guidance, they could lead their children to a better future. This
would also help them to perform healthy parental environment as they are aware of their children’s
choices.

For the teachers, this would benefit them to understand the children. Wherein they could create
new ways and ideas for them to help the students engage in the subjects they are least interested in.

In this study, the researchers aren’t exempted from also gaining such knowledge as it aids them to
analyze and consider their own decisions as well.

VI. Scope and Limitations

The grade 10 learners of Ampusongan National Highschool enrolled in the school year 2023-2024
will be selected to partake in this study which took place from February to May 2024. This study focuses
on the factors influencing their decision making for their preferred strand.
VII. Definition of Terms

Terms Definitions

strand Refers to the choices that learners make regarding their desired
tracks.
preferred liked better or best: used or wanted in preference to others
training ground A place and time where learners develop their skills and gain
knowledge for their readiness before entering college.

factors One that actively contributes to the production of a result.

essential Something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable.

determinants An element that identifies or determines the nature of something or

that fixes or conditions an outcome.

perceived Used to say how something or someone is seen or thought of.

last-minute choices Rushed decisions just before the actual event.

hesitations Doubts or uncertainties, not being sure of something.

VIII. Bibliography

Http://eprajournals.com https://thequester.deped-lallonhs.com/

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED628620