Assessing the Program Experiences and Employment Outcomes of Notre Dame of Jolo College BSIT Graduates
Keywords:
Tracer study, program experience, employment outcomes, employment readiness, institutional values, graduate employability
Abstract
This tracer study investigated the program experiences and employment outcomes of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) graduates from 2017 to 2019 to assess career readiness and identify areas for improvement. Using a descriptive survey method and convenience sampling, data were collected from 58 graduates and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicated that most graduates preferred institutions offering holistic education and programs with adequate resources and qualified staff. Many secured non-permanent, rank-and-file positions in the government sector within six months and remained in these roles for over a year while earning below the median monthly salary. Graduates expressed satisfaction with teaching methods, study conditions, guidance, and competency attainment, crediting hands-on training for their employment readiness. They found their acquired competencies useful in their current jobs and were guided by the core institutional values of faith, respect, and commitment. The study concluded that graduates had a positive perception of their educational experiences and recognized the program's role in their employment opportunities. Nonetheless, areas such as written works, self-study activities, study habits, communication skills, problem analysis, and job orientation should be strengthened to enhance students' workforce readiness.
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23. NACE. (2022). The Value of Career Services. National Association of Colleges and Employers. https://www.naceweb.org/career-development/organizational-structure/the-value-of-career-services/
24. Rahayu, D. P., & Suhartono, A. (2023). The role of university orientation programs in shaping student engagement and institutional values. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research, 12(3), 45-57. https://www.journal.ypidathu.or.id/index.php/ijen/article/download/763/515/8212.
25. Schomburg, H. (2016). Carrying out tracer studies: Guide to anticipating and matching skills and jobs. European Training Foundation/European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training/International Labour Office. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/ groups/ public/---ed_emp/---ifp_skills/documents/ publication/wcms_538135.pdf.
26. Sola, H. M. & Zia, T. (2021). Social Media and Students’ Choice of Higher Education Institution. European Journal of Management and Marketing Studies. Vol. 6, Issue 4. DOI: 10.46827/ ejmms.v6i4.1160.
27. Sprout Social. (2023). Higher education social media strategy: How to engage students and alumni online. Retrieved from https://sproutsocial.com/insights/higher-education-social-media-strategy/.
28. Tran, T. T. (2019). Graduate Employability. Innovate Higher Education to Enhance Graduate Employability (pp.158-168). DOI:10.4324/9780429058899-14.
2. Agrey, L., & Lampadan, N. (2014). Determinant factors contributing to student choice in selecting a university. Journal of Education and Human Development, 3(2), 391–404. https://doi.org/10.15640/ jehd.v3n2a22.
3. Australian Education Research Organization (AERO). (2023). How students learn best: An overview of the evidence. Retrieved from https://www.edresearch.edu.au/summaries-explainers/explainers/ positive-teacher-student-relationships-their-role-classroom-management
4. Clarke, M. (2018). Rethinking graduate employability: the role of capital, individual attributes and context, Studies in Higher Education, 43:11, 1923-1937, DOI: 10.1080/03075079. 2017.1294152.
5. Cofino, C. L., Tee, S. M. R., Enquilino, D. L. B., Alegre, G. E., Alpas, C. G., Lacson, L. K. C., Chu, C. M. L., & Abarillo, A. A. (2024). Engaging BSIT graduates: A study on employability of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) of Central Philippines State University-Main Campus. Library Progress International, 44(3), 10046–10055. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 385000330_Engaging_BSIT_Graduates_A_Study_on_Employability_of_the_Bachelor_of_Science_in_Information_Technology_BSIT_of_Central_Philippines_State_University-Main_Campus.
6. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) (2018). CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 29, Series of 2018: Policies, Standards and Guidelines for the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
7. Cuadra, L. J., Aure, M. R. K. L. and Gonzaga, G. L. (2019). The Use of Tracer Study in Improving Undergraduate Programs in the University. ASIA PACIFIC HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL, Volume 6, Issue No. 1. Retrieved from: https://www. research gate.net/ publication/ 335429907.
8. Dennen, V. P., Choi, H., & Word, K. (2020). Social media, teenagers, and the school context: A scoping review of research in education and related fields. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(4), 1635–1658. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09796-z. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11423-020-09796-z.
9. Drine, I. (2017). Education and Entrepreneurship to Address Youth Unemployment in MENA Region. Expert Group Meeting on Strategies for Eradicating Poverty to Achieve Sustainable Development for All. United Nations, New York.
10. Employment Trends and Challenges for Economics and Management Graduates in Guangdong Province (2018–2023). (2024). World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 14(2), 245–256. Retrieved from https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2024-3829.pdf.
11. Europe’s Evolving Graduate Labour Markets: Supply, Demand, Underemployment, and Wage Trends. (2021). Journal for Labour Market Research, 55(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/ s12651-021-00288-y.
12. Gaspar, A. M. C. S., & Soares, J. M. A. C. (2021). Factors influencing the choice of higher education institutions in Angola. International Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, 13(1), 23-39.
13. Google. (2020). Google Forms: Free Online Surveys for Personal Use. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/forms/about/
14. Gore, J., Holmes, K., Smith, M., Southgate, E., & Albright, J. (2015). Socioeconomic Status and the Career Aspirations of Australian School Students: Testing Enduring Assumptions. Australian Educational Researcher, 42, 155-177. doi:10.1007/s13384-015-0172-5
15. Greater Good in Education (2023). Positive Teacher-Student Relationships. Greater Good in Education. Retrieved from https://ggie.berkeley.edu/student-well-being/positive-teacher-student-relationships/
16. Gutierrez, R. L., Santos, M. J., & Rivera, P. D. (2022). Assessment of student satisfaction with faculty consultation programs: Impacts on academic performance and learning confidence. International Journal of Educational Research, 58, 112-124. https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/ 361450 164_Assessment_of_the_Student_Satisfaction_on_the_Consultation_Program.
17. International Labour Organization. (2018, May 25). 258 million workers in the world are over-educated for their jobs. ILOSTAT Blog. https://ilostat.ilo.org/blog/258-million-workers-in-the-world-are-over-educated-for-their-jobs/
18. Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Cummins, M., Estrada, V., Freeman, A., & Hall, C. (2016). NMC Horizon Report: 2016 Higher Education Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium. Retrieved June 1, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/171478/.
19. Kuh, G. D. (2001). Assessing What Really Matters to Student Learning: Inside the National Survey of Student Engagement. Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning, 33(3), 10-17. doi:10.1080/00091380109601795
20. Macadangdang, M. D. B. (2019). Tracer Study of BSIT Graduates of the Cagayan State University Batch 2015-2016. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering, Vol. 8 | No. 4 |, ISSN: 2278-6244 IT. www.garph.co.uk.
21. Mary Christie Institute. (2023). Socio-Emotional Readiness of College Students Is On the Decline. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2024/09/ 25/higher-eds-role-student-personal-development.
22. Mendoza, C. N., Lacerona, R. B., Jimenez, M. P., & Arevalo, J. (2022). Factors considered among the University of the East-Manila students in their college program preference. International Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research, 6(4), 1-5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 375584760_Factors_considered_among_the_University_of_the_East-Manila_Students_in_their_ College_Program_Preference.
23. NACE. (2022). The Value of Career Services. National Association of Colleges and Employers. https://www.naceweb.org/career-development/organizational-structure/the-value-of-career-services/
24. Rahayu, D. P., & Suhartono, A. (2023). The role of university orientation programs in shaping student engagement and institutional values. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research, 12(3), 45-57. https://www.journal.ypidathu.or.id/index.php/ijen/article/download/763/515/8212.
25. Schomburg, H. (2016). Carrying out tracer studies: Guide to anticipating and matching skills and jobs. European Training Foundation/European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training/International Labour Office. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/ groups/ public/---ed_emp/---ifp_skills/documents/ publication/wcms_538135.pdf.
26. Sola, H. M. & Zia, T. (2021). Social Media and Students’ Choice of Higher Education Institution. European Journal of Management and Marketing Studies. Vol. 6, Issue 4. DOI: 10.46827/ ejmms.v6i4.1160.
27. Sprout Social. (2023). Higher education social media strategy: How to engage students and alumni online. Retrieved from https://sproutsocial.com/insights/higher-education-social-media-strategy/.
28. Tran, T. T. (2019). Graduate Employability. Innovate Higher Education to Enhance Graduate Employability (pp.158-168). DOI:10.4324/9780429058899-14.
Published
2025-03-08
How to Cite
Acevedo, E. J., & Matriz, M. L. (2025). Assessing the Program Experiences and Employment Outcomes of Notre Dame of Jolo College BSIT Graduates. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 39, 1. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/19198
Section
ESI Preprints
Copyright (c) 2025 Edgar Jansol Acevedo, Marcilyn Lee Matriz
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
