Academic Preparedness and Work Readiness: Linking Academic and OJT Performance of BSBA Students

This study examines the academic preparedness and work readiness of business students by analyzing the relationship between their academic performance and outcomes of On-the-Job Training (OJT). It examines grade distribution across specializations, assesses academic performance in general education, business, and professional courses, and investigates correlations between practicum performance and other academic components. Utilizing a quantitative, descriptive-correlational research design, data were gathered from 98 BSBA graduates of a private higher education institution (HEI) through secondary records. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Shapiro-Wilk test and Spearman’s Rank-order Correlation, were used for analysis. Mainly, findings reveal that BSBA-Financial Management students excelled in General Education and Professional Courses, while BSBA- Marketing Management students performed better in Business Courses. The study also identifies a moderate positive correlation between Business Courses and OJT performance, indicating that strong business-specific knowledge enhances practical application. However, the weaker correlation between Professional Courses and OJT contends that specialized training has a varied impact on work readiness. Finally, the study acknowledges its limitations, including the exclusion of other specializations and the reliance on grades as a measure of success. Future research should investigate broader factors that influence workplace readiness, including industry exposure and essential soft skills.