Students’ Career Choices: A Guide For Senior High School Preparation

This study was conducted to determine what Senior High School (SHS) track and strands Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) should offer starting school year 2016-2017 based on the career choices of 160 AUP Academy grades 7 to 9 students. DepEd mandates four tracks in SHS under the K+12 program, namely: Academic, Sports, Arts and Design, and Technical-Vocational (Tech-Voc)- Livelihood tracks. For each track, specialization strands are offered. Descriptive statistics were used. Variables on profile, awareness of track offering and interpersonal, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were assessed. Results showed that 98% of the respondents would proceed to SHS. A total of 49% would pursue courses under the academic track while 13% would take sports, 8% will take the arts and design track, while 3% will take the track on technical-vocational and livelihood. A total of 95% were planning to still enroll in AUP for collegiate degrees. The researchers recommend that AUP prepare and enhance facilities for the academic track, particularly in the sciences, engineering, and business strands. It should also prepare programs and facilities in sports and arts, but also device strategies to make other strands attractive. Likewise, AUP should maintain its Adventist Christian standards, while parents continue to support their children’s career choices. Key words: Assessment, Career Choices, Junior High School, K-12 Program, Senior High School, Strands, Tracks