Statement of the Problem

One of the key elements in an individual’s life towards the path of academic success is the

course selection decision-making process. In a similar study conducted by Olamide and

Olawaiyes (2013), it is revealed that there exist numerous problems encountered by students in

their process of career selection. An incorrect career choice directs all individual efforts and

resources in the wrong direction, when not aligned with the expectations; would not only be

frustrating rather draining the individual energy and wastage of resources. (Ahmed,Sharif and

Ahmad, 2017). Gbennga and Toyin (2014) expressed that career guidance programs are

intended to help students understand their own potential and develop it fully. The lack of career

guidance programs in the Philippines leads most individuals to pass the stage of course

selection confused, as they apply for tertiary education without knowledge of what they want to

pursue.  In the case of high school students who are yet to choose their courses in college,

critical decision-making is challenging and may end up in them failing to make the right

decisions. As a result, wrong choices may lead to dissatisfaction and disapproval of influential

people around them and society as well.  Furthermore, it will only entail underperformance

which becomes a derivation of incompetence and inefficiency not only for themselves and the

department they represent but also for the economy as a whole. 

1. What are the factors that influence the decision of Senior High School students in

choosing their college courses?

1.1 Do parents play an important role in the college course-selection of their children?

1.2 Are students concerned of the practicality of their chosen course?

 1.2.1 For instance, will a student hesitate to pursue their preferred course if it too

inconvenient or not reliable in todays standard.

1.3 Are grades and assessments with regards to their proficiency in certain subjects,

influential to their chosen college course?

Hypotheses

The researchers hypothesized that:

Ho1: In terms of percentage of participants, there are considerable disparities in the factors

that influence course decision-making.

Ho2: A notable correlation existed between the factors that can influence course decision-

making in terms of the percentage of participants who choose to attend college.

Ho3: Among the 3 factors that we have focused on, personal preference have the most impact

on the students decision in choosing their college course. 

Definition of Terms

The following operational definition were applied in this study:

Attrition: A student leaving the college without completing the program in 

which they were enrolled. (Pendergrass , 1983)

Career:  A career is a sequence of employment-related positions, roles, actions, and

experiences. A career defines how one sees oneself in the context of one’s social environment,

in terms of one’s future plans, one’s past accomplishments or failures, and one’s present

competencies and attributes. In this study, the term “career” refers to any type of professional

engagement students pursue whether paid or unpaid. (Overview of Career Development

Theories)

Career Counseling: Career counseling is referred to as helping to bring about self-

understanding, understanding of the career concerns involved and behavioral options available

(Herr et al., 1996:44). In this study, career counseling means a verbal process in which a

professional counselor and counselee are in a dynamic collaborative relationship to solve career

problems

Career Path: According to Herr et al. (1996:44), the term is typically used in business and

industry to describe a series of positions available in some occupational or specialized work

area, ordinarily connoting possibilities for advancement. In this study, career path was used to

denote the way that individuals achieve something or the way that their life develops. The term

pathway was used interchangeably with career choice in this study.

Completer: A student who successfully completes a program leading to an associate’s degree

at the college in this study. (Appendix B. Glossary)

Completion: A student successfully completing a program leading to an associate’s degree in

which they were enrolled at the college in this study. (Appendix B. Glossary)
Course: A course is a series of classes. These classes are all in one area of study. Therefore,

when choosing a major, you will take courses geared towards that major. Courses are assigned

credits. Colleges dictate how many credits you need to take to graduate. Sometimes, there will

be lower-division courses and upper-division courses.  (Class Vs. Course - What’s the

difference ?)

Non-Completer: A student who enrolled in a program leading to the associate’s degree and

either graduate without a degree, or who leaves the college without completing any program of

study. Student academic success: Completing an initial program within the required maximum

completion time.  (Pendergrass , 1983)

Academic Proficiency/Achievement/Performance: Is the measurement of student

achievement across various academic subjects(BallotPedia). Academic Performance was used in

this study to indicate an individual's achievement in a specific subject, namely his or her grades

in that field.

Personal Interests: Means interests that can bring, or that may be perceived to bring,

directly or indirectly, benefits or disadvantages to the member as an individual, or to others

whom the member may want to benefit or disadvantage (law Insider). Personal interest in this

study refers to a student's desire and or what he or she wants to pursue in terms of a

career or course.

Parental Influence: It is defined as any opinion, attitude, or action (other than direct

tutoring) that somehow shapes or molds the child's reading attitudes. Involvement is defined as

any direct tutorial help the child receives with his or her reading (Nebor, 1986). Parental
influence, in our study, refers to a parent's view or urge for their kid to follow a certain career

or course.

College Course Decision Making: Refers to the critical state in which young individuals

decide which path are they in to (Bernardino , 2015) . 

Significance of the Study

     The researches conducted this study to contribute in developing and improving the quality

of career guidance and counseling that are given to highschool students. This paper attempts to

identify the fundamental variable that influences senior high school students' career or course

choices in relation to various factors. Thus, the study findings may be useful and beneficial for

students, teachers, and parents.

Teachers.
The information acquired indicate the possibilities that the professors
would be able to provide appropriate recommendations regarding the students’ skills. They also
become a key aspect in the achievement of a student's goals and vision. This may assist them
in comprehending the necessity of understanding how to urge pupils in selecting a goal reason
for a better future.

Pupils. Particularly graduating senior high school students

The purpose of learning and direct benefactors of the gains of the study. They would be more
conscious of their interests and more definite of what they want to become in the near future.
 
Parents.
The study's goal is to help parents understand their child's endeavor.
They would be also innovated to work and support the teachers in giving assistance to their
pupils. Moreover, they will be educated on the great role they will play in fostering decision
making towards the students’ future and in determining their objective.
 
 

The study was focused on the following key areas:

1. To figure out what factors have an impact on the decision-making process of

Senior Highschool Students in their course selection. 

2. To assess the relative importance of each factor  and determine which factor

holds a greater influence.

Limitations of the Study

Below are the following limitation that were anticipated in the study:

1. Since the study was only carried out exclusively at Integrated Laboratory School-

Senior High Department, the results may not be generalisable nor applicable to

every student. 

2. The current study has a limited time span and sample size.

3. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, close physical contact is still strictly prohibited,
and it is necessary to maintain the social distancing policy to avoid a rapid
increase in cases, the gathering of data and information may be difficult. As a
result, data and information will only be collected through the use of online
platforms or surveys.

4. Since our research is not prominent, finding information and references on the internet
is challenging.
 Scope and Delimitation: The study was carried out in West Visayas State
University- Integrated Laboratory School, as it focuses exclusively on Grades 11-
12 Senior Highschool Students, School year 2021-2022. The researchers
incorporated certain variables to determine the effect of the elements that affect
the shs students' decision in their college course. These variables include the
students parental influence, personal interests and academic proficiency that
made the student choose a certain college course. 

Conceptual Framework: 

Independent Variable

Personal Interest

Dependent Variable

Parental Influence

Course or Career Choice

Academic Proficiency

Dependent Variables 

Personal Interests

Independent Variables 

Course or Career Choice

Academic Proficiency 

Parental Influence