HomeInternational Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Researchvol. 6 no. 2 (2025)

Career Trajectories of Bachelor of Secondary Education Graduates: A Tracer Study for Strategic Educational Enhancements

Fahad Abdul Salendab | Yolanda C. Dapitan

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This study investigates the employability and career trajectories of Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) graduates of Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU)—Kalamansig Campus from 2018 to 2022. It employs a descriptive research design to gather data. The respondents were 137 BSED graduates selected using conven-ience sampling. The study utilized the Commission on Higher Educa-tion (CHED) standardized questionnaire but modified it to align with its objectives. This questionnaire was distributed via an online survey platform. Statistical treatment involved frequency and percentage. Results revealed that most graduates were in the 26-30 age group, with females outnumbering males and most residing in municipality areas. Graduates cited career advancement and attractive compensa-tion as key reasons for taking the BSED program, supported by institu-tional scholarships and awards. Employment status showed a high employment rate, with many graduates securing stable teaching positions locally. Graduates rated the relevance of their degree to their present work as highly relevant, highlighting competencies in research, communication, and leadership as pivotal in meeting workplace demands. The study concludes that the university's programs effectively pre-pare graduates for the teaching profession, though further improve-ments are needed to address gaps in leadership opportunities and long-term career progression. Recommendations include enhancing curriculum design to integrate emerging competencies, strengthening pre-graduation training to reduce unemployment due to lack of expe-rience, and developing targeted leadership programs to support career advancement. These initiatives aim better to align the university's of-ferings with labor market needs, ensuring sustained employability and professional growth for graduates.



References:

  1. Abao, E. L., Petancio, J. A. M., Sanchez, J. M. P., & Sumalinog,  G.  G.  (2023).  Performance  of beginning teachers in the licensure exam-ination  for  teachers:  a  national  study.  In Frontiers     in     Education     (Vol.     8,     p. 1240658). Frontiers Media SA.
  2. Albina,  A.  C.,  &  Sumagaysay,  L.  P.  (2020).  Em-ployability   tracer   study   of   Information Technology  Education  graduates  from  a state  university  in  the  Philippines.  Social Sciences     &     Humanities     Open,     2(1), 100055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2020.100055
  3. Ángeles López-Cabarcos, M., Vázquez-Rodríguez,   P.,   &   Quiñoá-Piñeiro,   L.   M. (2022).  An  approach  to  employees'  job performance  through  work  environmen-tal  variables  and  leadership  behaviours. Journal  of  Business  Research,  140,  361–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.11.006
  4. Asoy, E. M., Ozaraga, A. M., Espinosa, D., Gener-alao, R., Escandallo, J., Cerna, C., & Muegna, K. J. (2024). AN EMPLOYABILITY TRACER STUDY    OF    SECONDARY    EDUCATION–MATHEMATICS  GRADUATES  FROM  2022 TO  2023.  EPRA  International  Journal  of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 10 (4).
  5. Brownell, M. T., Benedict, A. E., Leko, M. M., Pey-ton,   D.,   Pua,   D.,   &   Richards-Tutor,   C. (2019).  A  continuum  of  pedagogies  for preparing  teachers  to  use  high-leverage practices.  Remedial  and  Special  Educa-tion, 40(6), 338-355.
  6. Caingcoy,  M.  E.,  Ramirez,  I.  A.  L.,  Gaylo,  D.  N., Adajar, M. I. W., Lacdag, E. O., & Blanco, G. A.  B.  (2021).  Employment,  employability, and  competencies  of  the  Bachelor  of  Sec-ondary    Education    graduates.    Interna-tional  Journal  of  Research  in  Education and    Science    (IJRES),    7(3),    872–884. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijres.2328
  7. Cornillez, E. E. C., Caminoc, S. R.  T., Basas, B. R., Militante,   B.   T.,   &   Paler,   R.   R.   (2021). Tracer  study  of  teacher  education  gradu-ates  of  the  Eastern  Visayas  State  Univer-sity-Tanauan  Campus,  Philippines.  Euro-pean  Journal  of  Education  and  Pedagogy, 2(3), 186-193. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2021.2.3.143
  8. Cuadra,  L.  J.,  Aure,  M.  R.  K.  L.,  &  Gonzaga,  G.  L. (2019). The use of tracer study in improv-ing  undergraduate  programs  in  the  uni-versity.  Asia Pacific  Higher  Education  Re-search Journal (APHERJ), 6(1).
  9. Daguplo, M. S., Capili, P. L. G., Estrella, A. R. C., & Bano,  A.  L.  (2019).  Tracking  the  employ-ment and employability characteristics of the  graduates  of  the  College  of  Teacher Education. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidis-ciplinary Research, 7(2), 67-74.
  10. Daño, I., Garganera, A., & Cortes, D. G. (2023). A Tracer  Study  on  the  Employment  Trends and  Decision  Drivers  of  Nursing  Gradu-ates  (2016-2022)  from  Cebu  Technologi-cal  University  in  consortium  with  Cebu City Medical Center College of Nursing. Ex-cellencia:  International  Multidisciplinary Journal  of  Education  (2994-9521),  1(6), 147-172.
  11. Dela Cruz, J. L. (2022). Tracer study of graduate school  graduates  of  a  state  higher  educa-tion  institution  in  the  Philippines  from 2016-2020.  International  Journal  of  Edu-cation & Literacy Studies, 10(2), 149–154. http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.10n.2p.149
  12. Khadabux,  C.  G.  (2022).  Arturo  Schomburg's Place  in  an  Antiracist  Curriculum.  Voices in Urban Education, 50(2).
  13. Panorama  Education.  (2023).  Teacher  Reten-tion:  5  Effective  Strategies  for  Retaining High-Quality  Educators.  Retrieved  from https://www.panora-maed.com/blog/teacher-retention-strat-egies. December 22, 2024
  14. Pentang, J.  T., Perez, D. R.,  Cuanan, K. H., Recla, M.  B.,  Dacanay,  R.  T.,  Bober,  R.  M.,  Dela Cruz,  C.  E.,  Egger,  S.  P.,  Herrera,  R.  L.,  Il-lescas,  C.  M.,  Salmo,  J.  M.,  Bucad,  M.  L., Agasa,  J.  V.,  &  Abaca,  N.  A.  (2022).  Tracer study  of  teacher  education  graduates  of Western   Philippines   University-Puerto Princesa Campus: basis for curriculum re-view and revision. International Journal of Multidisciplinary:  Applied  Business  and Education Research, 3(3), 418-431. http://dx.doi.org/10.11594/ijma-ber.03.03.12
  15. Reusia,  D.  H.,  Rogayan,  D.  V.,  &  Andres,  K.  P. (2020).  Science  education  graduates  of  a state university from 2008-2018: a tracer study.  The  Normal  Lights,  14(1),  56-79. https://doi.org/10.56278/tnl.v14i1.1496
  16. Lacay, S., & Lombrino C. (2022). Employability Status  of  Students  in the  Graduate  School of  ESSU  Guiuan.  Psychology  and  Educa-tion:   A   Multidisciplinary   Journal,   6(9), 417–422.
  17. Misra, R. K., & Khurana, K. (2017). Employabil-ity  skills  among  information  technology professionals:  A  literature  review.  Proce-dia computer science, 122, 63-70.
  18. Sabando,  C.  M.,  Catubig,  J.  R.  F.,  &  Blanca,  S.  D. (2023).   Employability   Tracer   Study   of Bachelor  of  Science  in  Hotel  and  Restau-rant  Management  (BSHRM)  Graduates  of a State University. https://doi.org/10.5281/ze-nodo.7503834.
  19. Salendab, F. A., & Sanchez, R. D. (2023). Gradu-ates Tracer Study: The Employability Sta-tus  of  Bachelor  of    Elementary  Education (BEED) of Sultan Kudarat State University –Kalamansig Campus. International  Jour-nal  of  Open-access,  Interdisciplinary  and New  Educational  Discoveries  of  ETCOR Educational  Research    Center  (iJOINED ETCOR), 2(2), 642-65
  20. Salendab,  F.  A.,  Ocariza-Salendab,  R.  L.  A.,  & Sanchez,  R.  D.  (2023).  Employers'  Feed-back on the Performance of Bachelor of El-ementary Education (BEED) Graduates in the  Workplace:  A  Pre-Deployment  Train-ing   Remediation   Implications.   Interna-tional  Journal  ofOpen-access,  Interdisci-plinary  and  New  Educational  Discoveries of  ETCOR  Educational  Research  Center (iJOINED ETCOR), 2(3), 882-897.
  21. Sanchez, J. M., Olvido, M. M., & Bacus, R. (2024). TRACING   THE   CAREER   TRAJECTORIES OF   DOCTOR   OF   EDUCATION   (Ed.   D.) GRADUATES:  EVIDENCE  FROM  A  STATE UNIVERSITY  IN  THE  PHILIPPINES.  Jour-nal  of  Education  and  Innovation,  26(4), 31-47.
  22. Silongan, M. L., Cerna, C. B., Manlawe, J. S., Espi-nosa,  D.  L.,  Muegna,  K.  J.  R.,  Escandallo,  J. C.,  ...  &  Peñora,  R.  A.  (2024).  A  TRACER STUDY ON THE SECONDARY EDUCATION MAJOR  IN  FILIPINO  GRADUATES  FROM ACADEMIC   YEAR   2022   TO   2023:   EM-PLOYMENT IN FOCUS. Instructor, 1(0009-0001), 4950-2402
  23. Sumande,  C.  T.,  Comuyog,  M.  L.,  Bactasa,  M.  F., Aribon, M. A., & Rural, J. D. (2022). A tracer study of graduate programs: evidences  of college  of  educations’  commitment  in transforming   lives.   Journal   of   Positive School Psychology, 6(4), 5074-5087.
  24. Ulanday, M. (2021).  Tracer Study and Employ-ability  Skills  Acquisition  of  Teacher  Edu-cation  Graduates.  Psychology  and  Educa-tion. 58(4), 1678–1683.
  25. U.S.  Department  of  Education  (2022).  Fiscal Years  2022–2026  Strategic  Plan.  U.S.  DE-PARTMENT OF EDUCATION.Re-trieved:extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcaj-pcglclefind-mkaj/ https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/about/reports/strat/plan2022-26/stra-tegic-plan.pdfDecember 24, 2024