Career Preparedness of Catholic High School Students in Western Visayas: A Basis for Career Development Program

Career preparedness is a set of knowledge, skills, and personal attributes that enable students to achieve their career aspirations. Students who engage in career preparedness tend to have higher career adaptability. Hence, this study assessed career preparedness in the areas of knowledge and skills, motivational resources, environmental resources, and career management behaviors among students in a Catholic high school. Additionally, it examined the significant differences in career preparedness among students when grouped by their demographics. It employed a descriptive-comparative design. It consists of 297 randomly sampled students. Also, it utilized a 36-item standardized questionnaire on career resources. In data analysis, mean, standard deviations, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Generally, it revealed that students have strong motivational, environmental, and career management behavior resources, yet a moderate level in other areas. In terms of demographics, grade level, and monthly family income were found to have significant differences. These highlight that high school students are motivated and supported in their career aspirations; however, they lack the practical knowledge on how to realize them. Hence, the study emphasizes the role of the guidance office in scaffolding a well-defined and actionable career path to achieve optimal career development. Lastly, the findings imply the need for structured career guidance to support the students.