Factors Influencing Career Pathway of Graduate Students

Education is the backbone of every economy because it is important to build the skills and productivity of an individual. The study aims to identify factors that influence the career pathway of the 223 teachers from the different divisions of region 10, who are taking graduate studies, while considering the factors influencing, such as administration, faculty, support staff, facilities, tuition, and other fees, and peers. This study employed a descriptive correlational and causal research design using a researcher-made questionnaire which was validated and reliability tested. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to determine the study’s parameters. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Linear Regression were used to identify the factors influencing the career pathways of the respondents. Results revealed that graduate students are highly influenced by the administration, faculty, support staff, facilities, tuition & other fees, and peers. Their career pathway is high. There is a strong positive correlation of all the variables except facilities showing a moderate positive correlation. The best predictor of career pathway among graduate students is peer, followed by tuition & other fees and administration. It can be concluded that the respondents continue their graduate studies as agreed by peers and choose a graduate school based on low tuition and other fees and administration. Thus, it is recommended to continue in pursuing graduate studies not only because of peers’ invitation but as part of one’s career pathway.