A descriptive study of the Grade 11 students’ Socio-Economic Status and Career
Choice in Preparing for Tertiary Education
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKDROUND
Introduction
A person must be determined to pursue his goals to be productive member of the society.
He is therefore responsible in building his future by setting up his career path and deciding on
what he wants to accomplish.
Career explorations and decisions are crucial aspect of emerging adulthood. Choosing a
career is not just all about what you want to do. Sometimes you need to choose between passion
and practicality to pursue your education in college. Socio-economic status plays a vital role in
influencing career aspirations, trajectory and achievement. Career barriers are significantly
higher from those from poor backgrounds, people of color, women, those who are disabled and
LGBTQ identified individuals. (Bluestein, 2013)
Career decision making is choosing what you think is the most appropriate from various
career possibilities. The ability to make a good career decision is important because choosing a
career that is not suitable on you can cause some difficulties and problems. Mau (2001) stated
that difficulties in career decision making occur when individuals do not have adequate
information or have a lack of knowledge on how to process information to make a decision.
Choosing right career now is very important because people spend more than half of their
lives preparing for a certain career and after college they would spend again more than half of
their lives doing the chosen career. Stress, difficulties, failures during college life set in because
of wrong career choice. This study will empower a person to identify career options, when you
have chosen right career for you to become a person what you want not only that you can also
contribute to the development of the society.
Career uncertainty persists as an important issue to consider in choosing a career, the rapid
changes of the external environment make students modify their decisions from time to time. In
addition, environmental changes also influence the development of students’ personal values and
interests. This transition from high school to college may be extremely difficult for many
students, leaving them with unanswered questions and a feeling of hopelessness when it comes
to pursuing their careers (Hsui-ian 2005)
The students nowadays are having difficulties in choosing career, some are having problem
on their financial capability and they are lack of information and guidance in choosing a career.
They are not yet prepared in entering college education. Due to lack of money of their parents to
sustain and provide the quality education for their children, they choose a certain course for their
children that is enough to support the fees and materials needed in school unlike families who
have high socio-economic status that can sustain the needs of their children.
The school systems with in low socio-economic status communities are often underresourced,
negatively affecting students’ academic progress and outcomes Aikens & Barbarin (2008).
Inadequate education and increased dropout rates affect children’s academic achievement.
The purpose of the study is evaluate the socio-economic status and career
Statement of the Problem
This study seeks to evaluate the socio-economic status and career choice of grade 11
students in preparing for tertiary education.
More specifically, this seeks answers to the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the respondent?
1.1. Age
1.2. Sex
1.3. Parent’s Educational Attainment
1.4. Parents’ Occupation
1.5. Parent’s size of income
1.6. Family size
2. What are the career choices that they selected based on their socio economic status?
2.1. What are the careers that most selected by the students?
3. What implication ins can be drawn from the findings of the study.
Significance of the Study
Generally, this study will be a great benefit to the Students and Parents, not only in
Tarlac, but across the nation as well.
More specifically, the students may benefit from the recommendation of the study.
students how have low socio-economic status, for them to know what are the in demand course
at low cost.
In addition, parents may benefit from the study from the results of this study. It will provide
the full information that they need to on supporting and guiding their child’s career choice.
This study may also be substantial for the teachers. It will help them on guiding the students
on choosing the right career that is convenient to their socio-economic status.
Moreover, the study may be an addition to the existing literature and studies on socio-
economic status and career choice. Findings of this study can be used by other researchers who
embark on a similar study.
Definition of Terms
Career. A job for which you are trained and in which it
is possible to advance during your working life, so that you
get greater responsibility and earn more money
https://Career.berkeley.edu/Plan/Explore
Career Barrier. Events or conditions, either within the person or in his/her environment which
makes career progress difficult
https://dictionary.cambride.org/usldictionary/career
Career Choice. Process of choosing a career path which can involve choices regarding
education and training for a given career
https://Igi-global.com/dictionary/Holland-vocational-theory/-personality-traits/355
Career Exploration. learning about various occupations and their "fit" with your unique career
preferences, e.g. the skills, interests and values you want satisfied by your career. Ideally, you
engage in career exploration during or after identifying your career preferences through self-
assessment.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/career
Socio Economic Status. Socioeconomic status is the social standing or class of an individual or
group. It is often measured as a combination of education, income and occupation.
https://www.apa.org/topics/socioeconomic-status/
Tertiary Education. Any type of education beyond high school level.
https://learn.org/articles/What_is_Tertiary_Education.html
