THE FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICES OF

GRADE 12 ACADEMIC TRACK STUDENTS

A Research Proposal
Presented to the Faculty of Senior High School
Gil Montilla National High School

In Partial fulfillment for the requirements in

Inquires, Investigation and Immersion

Fiona A. Bates
Eunice Grace Cordero
Vivien Kate Coronel
Mary Peach Ewican
Rhea Namesa
Sunshine Parrenas

November 2018
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The researchers know that career selection is one of many important choices a student will
make in determining future plans. This decision will impact them throughout their lives.
The researchers, as students also, they know how important choosing a right career that fits
them. However, Gil Montilla National High School offers Academic Tracks. They wanted to study
further and investigate what factors influence the Grade 12 Academic Track Senior High School
Students to choose the career they had chosen. As the researcher noticed that many of the Grade
12 Senior High Students are just forced to pursue those careers they have chosen even they do not
like.
According to Basavage (1996) in her thesis asked, “What is it that influences children one
way or another?” Every student carries the unique history of their past and this determine how they
view the world. This history created, in part by the student’s environment, personality and
opportunity it will determine how students make career choices. It then follows that how the
students perceive their environment, personality and opportunity also will determine the career
choice student will make.
Mutie & Ndambuki, (1999) argued that many students are usually confused on what careers
to select. They further observed that there are those who dream of studying or pursuing various
career paths but do not know what they entail, or which subjects are important in order to pursue
certain careers despite this existence of career guidance in school.
Therefore, the researchers will study The Factors Influencing Career Choices of Grade 12
Academic Track Students. This study aims to help student choose the right career because
entering to first step of professional education is critical.
Statement of the Problem
The purpose of this study is to determine the different Factors Influencing Career Choices
of Grade 12 Academic Track Students.
Furthermore, this study will answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:
a. Strand
b. Age
c. Sex
2. What are the factors that influence the choosing of career in Grade 12 Academic Track when
grouped according to strand, age and sex?

3. Is there a significant difference to the factors influencing career choices of Grade 12 Academic
Track when grouped according to strand, age and sex?
 Hypothesis
Based on the objective of the study the hypothesis of the study is hereby constructed: There
is no significant difference in The Factors Influencing Career Choices of Grade 12 Academic Track
Senior High School Students.

Conceptual Framework of the Study

This study presents the Conceptual Framework of the study which is connected to the main
objective of the study. The figure below shows and explained that the Independent Variable which
is the Profile might affect the Dependent Variable or The Factors Influencing Career Choices of
Grade 12 Academic Track Students.

Paradigm of the Research Process

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Profile:

 Age The Factors Influencing Career

 Sex Choices of Grade 12 Academic
 Status Track Students
 1st choice course
 2nd choice course
Significance of the Study

The result of this study on The Factors Influencing Career Choices of Grade 12 Academic
Track Senior High School Students will be beneficial to the following:

Students. The result of this study will help them to begin to explore their passions and wants in
life and it will provide them relevant information earlier in their schooling.
Teachers. The result of this study will provide appropriate knowledge to motivate the students
and develop their passions towards their career choice.
School Administrator. The result of this study will provide necessary information in making
Programs for the betterment of background of the students to develop and enhance their
knowledge and skills.
Parents. This study will give additional ideas to provide the needs of their children.
Future Researchers. This study will help the future researchers to have the idea that there is also
the existence of this problem.
Scope and Limitation
This study will deal The Factors Influencing Career Choices of Grade 12 Academic Track
Senior High School Students. It will be conducted at Gil Montilla National High School with
estimated 92 respondents from Grade 12 Academic Track who were all enrolled in the second
semester of the academic year 2018-2019. It will utilized survey method or questionnaire method
on December 2018 – January 2019.
As to the limitation of the study, the researchers find difficulties in conducting the study
due to the conflicts with other subject requirements. Furthermore, the researchers also have limited
time given in finishing the study.
The researchers made 20 questions
Definition of Terms

The following terms will be defined operationally and conceptually respectively:

Career. Fields of vocational, academic, and sociological endeavors are explored for the
purpose of the satisfying personal, economic and intellectual goals (Michael
Borchert, 2002).

Age. In this study, age refers to the distribution of respondents in which the students have
lived such as 16 and below, 17-19-year-old and 20 years and above.

Sex. In this study, sex refers to the distribution of students such as male or female.

Academic Track. In this study, Academic Track refers to the students of Gil Montilla
National High School who are taking Accountancy, Business and Management,
Humanities and Social Sciences and Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics.
Review of Related Literature

Literature on Peer Influence. It is the influence exerted by friends in encouraging a person

to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to groups’ norms. Peer
pressure is probably the single biggest determinant of a career choice in any group of young people
with a shared sub-culture. Every generation of students in a given school, and probably even
several generations adopt certain careers as the ideal or ultimate choice. As a result, many of them,
including those with no aptitude for revered career, aspire to it often at the expense of equally
substantive options that they would better suit for and be happier at (Masara, 2010).

Literature on Environment Influence. According to Gunga & Rickets, (2008), the

educational promise of the internet is real. The cluster of technologies that constitute the internet
powerfully reinforces and extends some of the most effective traditional forms of teaching and
guidance. The impact of the internet in education is more dynamic and persuasive than that of any
previous breakthrough in information technology. Consequently, the teacher is not the only driving
force in the class interactions. interactions. The place of the teacher as a guide, counselor and
facilitator on career choice therefore requires sustained attention.

Literature on Parent Influence. The extents to which the parents advise their children differ
from home to home. Some students avoid discussing careers with their parents because the parents
lack formal education. Parents have a feeling that they should tell the students what to choose.
This is expected in families of low social economic status and parents with limited education (Osro
et al, 2000). Some parents cannot help their children because they do not understand the
requirements of various careers. They further pointed out that many young people will be subtly
pressured into a given career by parents and guardians and other persons in positions of moral
superiority over them. Young people may therefore find themselves pushed into living their
parents life or attempting to live the life that their parents wished to but never had a chance.

Literature of the Study. Gacuthu, et al, (2004) argued that many young people encounter
problems when choosing careers. As societies become more urbanized and parents become
involved in pursuing careers (Quel, Krudson-Martin, 2006).
Synthesis

Peer pressure is probably the single biggest determinant of a career choice in any group of
young people with shared sub-culture. Every generation of students in a given school, and probably
even several generations adopt certain careers as the ideal or ultimate choice. Literature on
Environment , the cluster of technologies that constitute the internet powerfully reinforces &
extends some of the most effective traditional forms of teaching and guidance. The impact of the
internet in education is more dynamic and persuasive than that of any previous breakthrough in
information technology. Consequently, the teacher is not the only driving force in the class
interactions. The place of the teacher as a guide, counselor, and facilitator on career choice
therefore requires sustained attention. Literature on Parent Influence, young people may therefore
find themselves pushed into living their parent’s life or attempting to live the life that their parents
wished to but never had a chance.
METHODOLOGY

In this part of the paper, the researcher will discuss about the research design, research
locale, respondents of the study, research instruments, validity and reliability of the research, data
gathering procedures, plan for data analysis and ethical consideration.

Research Design

The purpose of this study is to determine the different factors influencing Career Choices
of Grade 12 Academic Track Senior High School Students. Hence, it will use the descriptive
survey research design. Furthermore, this study will also determine respondent’s profile, Factors
Influencing Career Choices of Grade 12 Academic Track Senior High School Students.

Research Locale

This study will be conducted at Gil Montilla National High School - Main (GMNHS-
MAIN), Senior High School Department, Brgy. Gil Montilla, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.

Respondents of the Study

This study will utilize Stratified Sampling. It is a type of sampling method where we
obtained by dividing the sample under different subgroups based on the proportions existing on
the population. Upon computing the sample size using the Slovin’s Formula from the total
population of 120 Grade 12 Academic Track, the results showed that there are 92 respondents.
Using Stratified Sampling the Accountancy, Business and Management has 22 respondents,
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics has 39 respondents and Humanities and
Social Sciences has 31 respondents with all in all, 92 respondents.

Table 1. shows…

Academic Track Population Percentage Sample

Accountancy,
business and 29 0.24 22
management
 Science,
Technology,
50 0.42 39
Engineering and
Mathematics

Humanities and
41 0.34 31
Social Sciences

Total 120 100 92

Research Instrument

The researchers adapted and modified questionnaire from the study entitled The Factors
Influencing Career Choices of Grade 12 Academic Track Senior High School Students (2018)
which was divided into 2 parts.

First part is the profile of the respondents such as name(Optional), strand, age, and sex.

Second part contains 92 respondents to determine The Factors Influencing Career Choices of
Grade 12 Academic Track Senior High School Students.

Validity of the Research Instrument

The researcher designed the questionnaires with items were clear and used the language
that was understood by all participants or respondents. The questionnaires were already conducted
to Grade 11 ABM students last semester and it was consulted regarding the ability of the
questionnaire to measure what it was designed to measure which were factors that influence careers
choices of grade 12 academic track senior high school students.

Data Collection Procedure

Before the researcher was conducted, the researcher consulted their adviser to conduct their
research topic. They prepare permit requesting for the approval of the principal to conduct the
study within Gil Montilla National High School. After it was approved, the researchers convened
the Grade 12 Academic Track and presented their study on the Significance of Research Project
to the Grade 12 students. Then after that, the questionnaire was distributed to the respondents of
the study. Each of them was given enough time to answer honestly and finished it without
hesitation.

Plan for Data Analysis

In analyzing and explaining research problems, appropriate statistical tool was used:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of strand, age, sex?

 The used of frequency and percentage was utilized.

 2. What are the major factors that influence the choosing of career in Grade 12 Academic
Track when grouped according to strand, age and sex?

 The used of frequency was also utilized.

Ethical Consideration

Anonymity:

In this study, optional was used on questionnaires in place of participant’s names. The
researcher agreed with school authorities to make information public if the participants wished
to.

Confidentiality:

In this study, only the name of the participant is optional while the other data like sex,
age, strand and their career choices are obliged to fill up for it is needed.
 The Factors Influencing Career Choices of Grade 12 Academic Track Student

Name(Optional): Age: Strand:

First Choice: Second Choice: Sex:

Instructions: For each statement please put a check mark to the box that corresponds to your
answer.

Where (1-5) Peers refers to : Friends, Schoolmates, Classmates

(5-10) Environment : School, Surroundings, Availability Resources, Social Media

(10-15) Parent : Family (Mother, Father, Relatives, Brother, Sister)

(15-20) Own self : Yourself

YES NO
1. Do their career choices affect your own choice?

2. Do they influence your career decision?

3. Do they inspire you to pursue your chosen career?

4. Do you rely your decision on the majority choice

of your peers?

5. Are your friend’s career advice matters to you?

6. Is the environment affects your career choices?

7. Does the National Career Assessment Examination

(NCAE) assist your career decision?

8. Does your current school has an impact on your

choice of career?

9. Do Career Guidance helps you in pursuing the

right course?

10. Do you consider Social Media a reliable source of info?

11. Do you always obey your parent’s wants for you?

12. Do their occupation affect your own

career choice?

13. Are your parent’s career advice matters to you?

14. Do you rely your decision mostly to your parents?

15. Do they motivate you to what career suits you?

16. Are you independent enough in making decision?

17. Is it your own self push you to your chosen career?

18. Do you like your chosen strand?

19. Are you the one who dictate what you will pursue?

20. Are you strong enough to face consequences?