TRACER STUDY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND

MATHEMATICS (STEM) GRADUATES OF LIGAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

A Research Presented
to the Faculty of Ligao National High School
Senior High School Department

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Humanities and Social Science Strand

Proponents:
Andrei Lorenz Q. Magtangob
Angel Anne Juarez
Darwin Tuagnon
Jomari Orogo
Francois Rayala

MAY 2023
 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

With the K-12 program implementation, students decide on their career track before

entering Senior High School (SHS). Choosing a track in SHS is the first step that a student must

take regarding his/her career path. This phase is crucial since this period serves as a preparatory

ground. Career choice must be planned carefully because of its long-term consequences.

(Nazareno, A., 2021)

Choosing a strand is important because it allows you to focus your energy and develop

specific skills and knowledge in a particular field. It will also determine your professional life

and well-being in the future. Therefore, choosing the correct strand will help you make informed

decisions to prepare yourself in your future profession and avoid job mismatch.

One of the reasons that exacerbate the persisting unemployment problem in the labor

market is job mismatch. In addition, there is the inability of our jobseekers to fit in employment

appropriate to their backgrounds. (DOLE 2018-2022 Advocacy Plan.)

This study will focus on monitoring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

(STEM) graduates by asking them what opportunities and experiences after graduation had

helped them and how successful they are now.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

In this study we will utilize an IPO model as a conceptual framework, wherein:

INPUT: Determining the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics graduates from

Ligao National High School.

PROCESS: Drafting of questionnaires, which will be used for data collection and tracking of the

career paths and employment of the graduates. Then the data collected will be analyzed and

interpreted.

OUTPUT: A report on the data analysis and interpretation, and conclusion.

INPUT: Identifying the STEM graduates of LNHS,

drafting of questionnaires and letter for data gathering.

PROCESS: Gathering data through google forms, data

analysis and interpretation.

OUTPUT: Conclusion on the relevant findings on the

data analysis.

.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to determine what course does the former STEM students batch 2017-

2018

of LNHS pursued in college and what are their employment status. The result of the study will be

used for career advocacy program for STEM. Specifically, this study answers the following

questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

a) Course taken in college

b) Employment status

2. What is the relevance of STEM to their chosen career path?

3. How does the STEM graduates perceive the value of their STEM education in their

career and personal development?

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study limits its coverage on STEM graduates batch 2017-2018 of Ligao National

High School only. The study will focus on the investigation on the graduate’s career path,

educational attainment, and employment status. In addition, this study is limited only to the

response of the STEM graduates to our survey questionnaire

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study, in general, aims to provide crucial information and knowledge from the
respondents. Specifically, this will benefit the following:

STEM Department- This will assist the faculty or staff of STEM department to encourage

students to follow their passion and guide them for the possible job or career opportunities that

awaits their students.

STEM students- The study will help the students align their paths to their chosen strand and

future career, providing them the knowledge and proper support to pursue their passion without

pressure.

Incoming SHS students that wants to pursue STEM- This will help encourage incoming SHS

students to pursue STEM, as they will see it good for educational growth and a good career

opportunity.

Career Counselor- This study will help provide necessary information about the factors why

students choose STEM and give insights on what are possible career opportunities the strand can

offer.

Researchers- This study will help identify gaps in other studies and provide insights on the

opportunities and experiences of STEM graduates.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

STEM- is a Senior High School strand that deals with the disciplines of Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Trace- to study something by detail or to follow (Merriam-Webster)

 Senior High School (SHS)- is the last 2 years in high school or k-12 program, which is

grade 11 and 12.

Career Path- A path that you take in a particular course of action or way of achieving

something (Collins dictionary)

Chapter 2

METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH DESIGN

The study will use quantitative procedure to gather and organize data using descriptive

research design. This research design aims to describe a population and situation of STEM

graduates batch 2017-2018.

The main focus of this study is to investigate what factors led them to choose their career

path or present employment status.

SOURCES OF DATA

This study will utilize primary and secondary source. The primary data will be from

STEM graduates of LNHS. The secondary sources, through the use of online literatures.

POPULATION AND SAMPLING

We will sample the whole STEM population batch 2017-2018 of LNHS. Their responses

will be collected through google forms.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

 Data gathering procedures will be through survey questionnaires using google forms.

After the respondents’ responses the data will be collected, collated and, interpreted.

REFERENCES

https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/images/pdf/pjs_pdf/vol150no5/

factors_associated_with_career_track_choice_.pdf

https://ble.dole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Career-Guidance-Advocacy-Plan-

2018-2022.pdf

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/track

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/career/related
 TRACER STUDY OF STEM GRADUATES OF LNHS
A. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Name: ____________________________________________________________
2. Permanent Address: ___________________________________________________________
3. Email Address or Phone Number: _____________________________________________
4. Civil Status: Single ☐ Separated ☐ Married ☐ Widow ☐
5. Sex: Male ☐ Female ☐
B. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
6. Institution Name:
7. Degree Earned:
8. Major/Field of Study:
9. Year of Graduation:
C. EMPLOYMENT STATUS
10. Are you currently employed?
☐ Yes ☐ No
If Yes, please provide the following details:
Company/Organization Name:
Job Title/Position:
If No, please provide the reason for unemployment:
________________________________________________________________
Further Education:
a. Have you pursued further education after graduation?
☐Yes ☐No
b. If yes, please provide the following details:
11. Institution Name: _______________________________________________________
12. Degree/Major/Field of Study:
_____________________________________________________________________
STEM-related Skills:
13. Which skills acquired during your STEM education have been most valuable in your career
and personal development?
☐ Critical Thinking ☐ Technical Skills (Specify)
☐ Problem Solving ☐ Communication Skills
☐ Analytical Skills ☐ Teamwork/Collaboration
☐Research Skills
☐Other (Specify): _________________________________________________
Career Development:
14.Have you received any career development opportunities (e.g., training, certifications) after
graduation?
☐Yes ☐ No
STEM Graduates Program Evaluation:
15. How would you rate the quality of the STEM program you completed?
☐ Excellent
☐ Good
☐ Fair
☐ Poor
Overall Reflection:
16. How do you perceive the value of your STEM education in your career and personal
development?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for participating in this tracer study. Your responses will greatly contribute to
our understanding of the opportunities and experiences of STEM graduates.