ABSTRACT
This qualitative research design aimed to determine the track choice and occupational interests of Grade 9 SPS students. There were 12 key informants that answered the different themes. The study will consider selected students of the Grade 9 SPS composed of 2 sections Bluejay and Bowerbird. The researcher will be choosing twelve (6) students in each section which include the key informants of the study. The shared experiences of people are more than enough to reach the saturation point of data collection.
The objectives of the study are the following: To determine the track choice of Grade 9 SPS students in terms of their occupational interest; to determine the reasons for the track choice of Grade 9 SPS that affects their occupational interests of students; to find out the relationship between track choice and occupational interest of Grade 9 SPS students and to document the best practices employed by the different Grade 9 SPS students in track choice, occupational interest and reasons of parents for the occupational choice of their children.
The researchers have done in-depth interviews and data analysis on the responses from 12 informants. The insights gained from the informants in this study and the review of the literature play a major role in the determination of track choice and occupational interests and reasons of students and parents.
An important implication for this as an educator is the way it sheds light on the process of discovering strategies, decision making and exploring one’s active participation in resolution as a means of incorporating ideas and insights. The information provided by the informants offers meaningful and empowering themes ripe for exploration on career development in school.
The findings of this study can also be applicable to educators, especially those who are on the career development committee. Provided that the result is timely as issues in the organizational setting are very common nowadays, the application of the best practices shared by the informants may deliver insightful content to educators so as to prevent or minimize dissatisfaction of students to decide on their careers in the future. The expertise of the teachers is to expose the students to the career world by means of mock interviews, on-the-job training, making application letters and resumes in preparation for a job, and others.
The study uses a phenomenological approach that has provided insights and understandings in relation to the objectives of the study. Future research may reflect on the content of the findings, refine the objectives of the study, and elaborate on the gaps found in this study. A certain topic like this should further be updated as the growing number and the diversity of people in the school setting are updating and developing over the years. School administrators should look into the career and psychological well-being experience of the students after they make a career decision.
Likewise, this research will always be open for the abovementioned opportunities for the development of the understanding of the importance of suitability of a career in a person in the future.
In line with the findings of the study and the drawn conclusions, the following are recommended for the relationship of track choice and occupational interest of Grade 9 SPS students are the following: strengthen the exploration of career development as part of the instructional materials in the K to 12 class; inform EsP department head and the guidance counselor regarding the usefulness of career exploration of Grade 9 students as to their career decision making and as the results of the NCAE ratings and enhance the career exploration and enhancement in the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao Grade 9 modules and instructional materials.
Keywords: career development, track choice, Senior High School, occupational interest