Home⇛International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research⇛vol. 6 no. 6 (2025)

A Tracer Study on Employment Outcomes and Career Progression of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) Graduates: Basis for Enhancing Institutional Reputation and Graduate Employability

Reynan E. Demafeliz

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This tracer study investigates the employment outcomes and career progression of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) graduates from Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) - Kalamansig Campus from 2018 to 2022. The research focuses on several key aspects: sociodemographic and academic profiles, employment status, the relevance of the BSIT degree to current occupations, the competencies developed during the program, and the challenges graduates face in the job market. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive approach, the study surveyed 159 out of 179 graduates and provided an assessment of their transition from enrolment to employment. Findings reveal that most graduates are employed, with a significant number working locally; however, many hold contractual or temporary positions. The BSIT degree generally proves relevant to their current jobs, particularly in technical fields. However, disparities in income and employment stability are evident. Key competencies, such as technical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, were well-developed; however, gaps in soft skills, leadership, and entrepreneurial capabilities were identified. Graduates also reported challenges, including a lack of Civil Service eligibility, limited job opportunities, and the absence of advanced degrees. The study emphasizes the need for curriculum enhancements that incorporate the development of soft skills and leadership training. It recommends stronger career counseling services and closer universityindustry partnerships to ensure alignment between academic outputs and labor market demands. Additionally, the study advocates for institutional support in helping graduates pursue advanced degrees and gain eligibility for the Civil Service to improve their employment prospects. These interventions are crucial not only to enhance individual career outcomes but also to strengthen the university's reputation and its contribution to the national workforce.



References:

  1. 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
  2. Aquino, A. B., Punongbayan, E. J., Macalaguim, L. P., Bauyon, S. M., Rodri-guez Jr, R. A., & Quizon, G. R. (2015).Teacher education graduate trac-er study conducted from 2010 to 2014 at a state university in Batangas, Philip-pines. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisci-plinary Research, 3(5), 45-50. Retrieved from http://www.apjmr.com/wpcontent/uploads/2016/01/APJMR-2015-3.5.2.06.pdf
  3. Arangote, E. M. (2018). Assessment of student services in a state university for policy recommendations. The Normal Lights, 12(2). https://po.pnuresearchportal.org/ejournal/index.php/normallights/article/view/1005
  4. Chipeta, G. T., & Chawinga, W. D. (2018). A tracer study of library and information science graduates of Mzuzu University, Malawi. African Journal of Library, Ar-chives and Information Science,28(1). https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajlais/article/view/174150
  5. 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, 6(1), 13–25.
  6. Daguplo, M. S., Capili, P. L. G., Estrella, A. R. C., & Bano, A. L. (2019). Tracking the em-ployment and employability characteris-tics of the graduates of the college of teacher education. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 7(2), 67-74. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.33923.04642
  7. Del Rosario, D. P. Y. (2019). Tracer study of graduates of the college of industrial technology. International Journal of Ad-vanced Research and Publications, 3(5), 23– 31. http://www.ijarp.org/published-research-papers/may2019/TracerStudy-OfGraduates-Of-The-College-Of-Industrial-Technology.pdf
  8. Egesah, O., & Wahome, M. (2016). Conducting Graduate Tracer Studies for Quality As-surance in East African Universities: A Focus on Graduate Students Voices on Quality Culture. 7.
  9. Gines, A. C. (2014). Tracer study of PNU grad-uates. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 4(3), 81-98. https://pdf4pro.com/view/tracer-study-of-pnu-graduates-aijcrnet-com-15ce51.html
  10. Meto, R. (2023). A Tracer Study of the College of Education Programs in Mindanao State University–Maguindanao. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(9), 1-1. https://doi.org/0.5281/zenodo.7530147
  11. Millington, C. (2001) The use of tracer study for enhancing relevance and marketabil-ity in online and distance education. Re-trieved July 30, 2013 from http://wikieducator.org/images/e/e1/PID_424.pdf
  12. Misra, R. K., & Khurana, K. (2017). Employabil-ity skills among information technology professionals: A literature review. Proce-dia computer science, 122, 63-70. Re-trieved on May 18, 2015 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050917325711
  13. Muna, F., S. M., Ferdous, A., & Albattat, A. (2022). Impact of Political Influence in Recruitment and Selection Practice: Evi-dence from Maldives Civil Servants. Jour-nal of Positive School Psychology, 6(7), 848-859
  14. Oboza, J. V. (2017). A tracer study of the first batch of teacher education graduates of Pangasinan State University, Alaminos City Campus. Southeast Asian Journal of Science and Technology, 2(1), 66-73.
  15. Patay, A. S. (2023). Factors Affecting Gradu-ates’ Employability of Business-Related Programs: A Tracer Study. Sprin Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(05), 01–11. https://doi.org/10.55559/sjahss.v2i05.100
  16. Plaza, K. T., Niñal, M. M., & Arpilleda, A. J. (2020). Graduate Tracer Study of BS In-formation Technology (BSIT) of St. Paul University Surigao College of Business and Technology 2017-2019. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. College of Business and Technology, St. Paul Uni-versity Surigao.
  17. Rahman Abdullah, H. Z., Mat, N. A. N., Zain, R. A., & Derani, N. (2015). Hospitality In-ternships: An Employment Advantage or Perilous Experience.
  18. Rao, N. J. (2020). Outcome-based Education: An Outline. Higher Education for the Fu-ture, 7(1), 5-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/2347631119886418
  19. Regmi, P.P. (2009). Tracer Study of AIT Grad-uates 2003-2008.Asian Institute of Tech-nology (AIT) Klong Luang, Pathumthani, Thailand
  20. Sarsale, M., Garcia, C., & Uy, I. (2024). Dimen-sions of program relevance towards em-ployment success: Evidence from a grad-uate tracer study using principal compo-nent analysis. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 15(1), 205-224. https://doi.org/10.21153/jtlge2024vol15no1art1895
  21. Salendab, F. A. (2025). Leadership in Higher Education. In Building Organizational Capacity and Strategic Management in Academia (pp. 321-352). IGI Global.
  22. Salendab, F. A., & Sanchez, R. D. (2023). Grad-uates Tracer Study: The Employability Status of Bachelor of Elementary Educa-tion (BEED) of Sultan Kudarat State Uni-versity – Kalamansig Campus. Interna-tional Journal of Open-access, Interdisci-plinary and New Educational Discoveries of ETCOR Educational Research Center (iJOINED ETCOR), 2(2), 642-655
  23. Salendab, F. A., & Dapitan, Y. C. (2021). Per-formance of Private Higher Education In-stitutions and the School Heads’ Supervi-sion in South Central Mindanao. Psychol-ogy and Education, 58(3), 3980-3997.
  24. 24. Salendab, F. A., Ocariza-Salendab, R. L. A., & Sanchez, R. D. (2023). Employers’
  25. Feedback on the Performance of Bache-lor of Elementary Education (BEED) Graduates in the Workplace: A Pre-Deployment Training Remediation Impli-cations. International Journal of Open-access, Interdisciplinary and New Educa-tional Discoveries of ETCOR Educational Research Center (iJOINED ETCOR), 2(3), 882-897.
  26. Sira, K. S., & Valenciana, D. S. O. (2018). Tracer Study of CIT Technology Programs Grad-uates. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(4), 118-129.
  27. Tiongco, M. M., & Conchada, M. I. P. (2015). A review of the accreditation system for Philippine higher education institutions. eSocialSciences Working Papers, (id: 7144).
  28. Zamora, C. M. B., & Dorado, R. A. (2015). Ru-ral-urban education inequality in the Philippines using decomposition analysis. Journal of Economics, Management & Ag-ricultural Development, 1(1), 62-71.

Tools


Copyright © 2025  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic