MEETING THE IDUSTRY NEEDS: UNDERSTANDING THE CAREER PREFERENCES OF ISLAND GRADE 10 STUDENTS

Abstract The choice of a career is one that is made while a student is in the perplexed condition that is common during their senior year of high school. For a proposed career guidance program, this study should identify the preferred SHS track, preferred career, and factors influencing career choice among grade 10 island students at San Agustin National High School in San Agustin, Madridejos, Cebu. It should also identify the needs of the industry in Bantayan Island. The DepEd Tool for Career Offering in Senior High School and Career Evaluation research questionnaire was distributed to the students' responses using a descriptive survey. The respondents from the industry received a research-made questionnaire to identify the number of employees and/or workers they needed. The results then revealed that the pupils preferred technical-vocational and livelihood track was cooking, while their favorite academic track was general academic strand as their course in senior high school program. Interest and specialization, early inspiration, and in-demand jobs are the variables that influence students while choosing a career. Students in grade 10 at San Agustin National High School choose the General Academic Strand in Senior High School over any other track. However, the community's demands for the industry are more focused on TVL-related jobs. As a result, the island students' intended career path does not match what the business requires. To help learners choose a job that is in line with the demands of the community, a career guidance program has been proposed in light of this