Assessment needs of bsmath students in preparation for their future career and factors affecting their career preferences

P A R T I D O S T A T E U N I V E R S I T YG O A , C A M A R I N E S S U R

ASSESSMENT NEEDS OF BSMATH STUDENTS IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR FUTURE CAREER AND

FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR CAREER PREFERENCES

A Simple Research as Project in ENG2E

by

JOBERT D. RONABIOREINA MAE D. LAYNESA

JHOVAN A. PAGAJONATHAN ERIC P. PLOPINIO

ARLENE M. BARBON

BS MATH 2A

OCTOBER 2016

1


CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Filipinos are imaginative, creative and courageous in surpassing

struggles in life. There are companies affected by several crisis when they

are force to decrease their employees, some of them have job openings

that offer new career opportunities to graduated college students. These

job openings also offers a new challenge into their life – a great

responsibility lies to their head that someday will help their family strive

to achieve wealthiest, use his acquired knowledge and skills when he

engaged into a job and acted as one of the reinforcement in industry that

would further improved the depleting economy of the country.

All of these come first from wishes and aspirations that the BSMATH

students will someday become a teacher, statisticians, financial analyst,

consultants, investment managers or a logistics to help those who seek

needs and help their family to ascend into poverty.

Career preferences are free opportunities to select a desired career in

the future. It is also a decision making in a confusing situation which

occurs when BSMATH Students are absent to graduate. When one is

unstable in making decision, they might tempt to stop study or repeated to

take another bachelor’s degree that fits their interest by which it distinct

to attain their future career.

2


Therefore, this study intends to assess the needs of BSMath

students of Partido State University in preparation for their future career

and to know the possible factors that affect their career choices.

B. Statements of the Problem

The study aimed to assess the needs of BS Math Students of Partido

State University in preparation for their career in the future.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are demographic characteristics of the BSMath students in terms

of:

a. Gender

b. Age

c. Year Level

2. What are the top three expressed math career choices of the students?

a. Teaching

b. Statistician career

c. Career in Accountancy and Finance

d. Career in banking

e. Actuarial career

f. Careers in Academia and Research

3. What are the anticipated problems encountered by the BS Math

students in making their career choice?

3


C. Objectives:

Generally, the study aimed the following:

1. To evaluate the effectiveness of teaching that can help for students in

preparation their future.

2. To determine that the intended learning outcomes of BSMath students

are being achieved.

3. To motivate students to undertake appropriate work that fits their

interest and ability in Math.

D. Hypothesis:

The following hypothesis is formulated for acceptance or rejection of

the study:

Ha. The anticipated problem encountered by the BS Math students affect

their career choice.

Ho. The anticipated problem encountered by the BS Math students does

not affect their career choice

E. Scope and Delimitation of the StudyThe study will be conducted at Partido State University, San Juan Bautista St.

Goa,Camarines Sur.

4


The study focus on the assessment needs of BSMath Students of Partido State

University and the several factors that affect their career choice. The researchers will give a

self-evaluation questionnaire that is required to answer by at least 50 respondents among

enrolled students of BS Math from 1st year to 4th year, regarding their prefer career in the

future, the study is largely dependent on the sincerely and integrity of the respondents.

F. Significance of the Study

Education is the totality from one generation to by individual which is inherited from

one generation to another, while career is serves as its application. The collaboration of this

two fields plays a key in improving individual competence and professionalism and serves as

their personal achievement.

Therefore, this study is deemed significant to the following reasons:

BSMATH STUDENTS: The respondents are the center of the research because

ultimately they develop the awareness of themselves, strength and weakness for their career

development by continually summarizing and reflecting upon what they are learning from

home, school and community. In totality, students are in charge of their own choice.

PARENTS: In this study, parents will look forward in giving their children an

assurance to acquire quality education that would enable them to obtain better career for their

brighter future.

5


INSTRUCTORS: This study will give information to instructors of Partido State

University in teaching the students more often that can help for their future career.

PSU ADMINISTRATION: The result of this study will help the PSU Administration

in putting up the effective and integrated career information that can offer to BSMath Students

towards making the best possible career.

FUTURE RESEARCHERS: The process and outcome of this study will produce a

great satisfaction, competence and professionalism to the field. The result of this study can

serve as basis for further study on the needs assessment of BSMath Students for their future

career and factors affecting their career choice.

G. Definition of Terms

The following terms are conceptually or operationally define to enhance the

understanding of the readers of this paper.

Needs Assessment--is a systematic process of determining and addressing “needs” or

“gaps” between current condition or wants-the discrepancy between the current condition and

wanted condition must be measured appropriately identify the needs.

Career-- a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially

public, professional or business life. In this study career is the application of individual’s

journey through learning and applying job.

Preference – the right or chance to make choice, the power or opportunity or choosing

job he wants in the future-whether it was a career for academia and research, career in

banking, actuarial career, statistic career, career in accounting and finance and teaching.

6


Anticipated Problems – expected problems of students career choice. For example

Poor Health, Perceived Ability. Etc.

Academia and Research – may appeal to those who want the challenge of driving

forward the next series of discoveries, theories and applications of the field – as well as the

prestige of following some of history’s greatest mathematical minds.

Accountancy and Finance – include roles such as auditors, tax, accountant, forensic

accountant, management accountant and corporate advisor.

Statistician – are specialist in statistics- that is the collation, analysis, interpretation and

presentation of statistics and quantitative data.

Actuarial – evaluating financial risk in order to manage and advice client.

Opportunities in Banking – deals with financial assessment with opportunities to

specialize in areas such as mergers and acquisitions bonds and shares.

Teaching – the act or profession of a person to instruct and educate students with

his/her knowledge.

Stringent requirements-- marked by rigor, strictness, or severity especially with regard

to rule or standard.

7


CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Career preference is a process of decision-making. A great number of studies

researches and write-ups have been conducted for a period of time.

Foreign Studies

According to study conducted by Garcez (2007) it was found out that by increasing

career development activities, which includes setting career goal, students had a higher self-

esteem. May be even more important however, is that students were more satisfied about the

education they were receiving.

Local Studies

Personal interest, abilities and skills and values are the most influential factors in coming

chosen occupation by the respondents according to Pabiton (2007). This implies that like

8


other graduating students in college. The participants seemed to have chosen occupation. She

also noted that the students be given all the chances to leam and develop the skills and

attitudes required for various job. She recommends that career counselors could give more

emphasis on this environmental factor doing individual and small group career counseling.

Local Literature

According to Elmer (1989), career planning is life goal setting. Without much plan, it is

like making a journey to unfamiliar destination without a map. He proposed a career planning

guide that will help the students in choosing their appropriate job from planning a career,

steps in planning career, goal setting and self-understanding. Also, it reveals that counseling is

invention of under employment individuals and career preparedness must be initiated.

Relevance to the Present Studies

The study review provided sample evidence that career development programs is on

need. And must have a collaborative efforts made by school administrator and instructors in

crystalizing students career decision. The teaching methodologies or strategies must be

improved and concentrate on students learning and not by subjects to preapare their students

in the coming generation when they are about to pick their desired career.

9


CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHOLOGY

This research present the research design, population and sample of the study, research

instruments data gathering procedure and statistical treatment of data.

Research Design

This study used a descriptive survey method use to assess demographic profile such as

gender, age, year level, the top three express career choices: preference of students of possible

career and anticipated problems that affect career choices of BSMath at students of Partido

State University. Descriptive research is a purposive process data gathering, analyzing,

classifying, and tabulating data about prevailing conditions, practice, processes and then

adequate and accurate interpretation about such data with or without aid of statistical

treatment.

10


Population and Sample of the Study

The respondents of this study came from Partido State University. They were

identified using the Sloven’s formula:

n= N1+NE2

Where: n = sample size

N = population size

E = margin of error

The researchers have chosen first year to fourth year BS Math students to be the

respondents. First year level has a total number of 12 students, Second year level has 52

students, Third year level has 48 students while Fourth year has 16. The total number of BS

Math students is 128. The computation below shows the number of the respondents that will

answer the survey questions.

It shows that only 5 students from first year, 23 from second year, 16 students from

third year and 6 students from fourth year will be picked to answer the questionnaire.

The respondents of the study are composed of 50 out of 128 population.

Statistical Paradigm

Year Level Number of Students in Each Section

Percentage (%) Sample

First Year 12 .45 5

Second Year 52 .45 23

Third Year 48 .35 16

Fourth Year 16 .40 6

Total Population: 128 students Total Sample: 50 respondents

Table No. 1.Total number and sample size of the students

11


As manifested in Table No.1, 10% of the respondents came from 1st year level, 46%

from 2nd year, 32 % from 3rd year and 12% respondents from 4th year level. The total number

of respondents in the study is 50 students.

Research Instrument

The instrument used was a researchers -made questionnaire checklist to gather the

needed for the student’s profile. The draft of the questionnaire was drawn out based on the

researcher’s readings, previous studies and published thesis relevant to the study.

In the preparation of the instrument, the requirements in the designing of good data

collection instrument were considered. For instance, statement describing the situations or

issues pertaining was toned down to accommodate the knowledge preparedness of the

respondents. Open-ended options were provided to accommodate to free formatted views

related to the topics or issues. In this way, the instrument is authorized to obtain valid

responses of the students.

Preference for the use of the structured questionnaire is premised on several research

assumptions such as a) cost of being a least expensive means of gathering data, b) avoidance

of personal bias, c) less pressure for immediate response, and giving the respondents a greater

feeling of anonymity. In the end, it encouraged open responses to sensitive issues at hand.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers personally administered the test questionnaires to the respondents and

provided them with clear instructions on how to answer. The respondents answered the test

questionnaire at their convenient time and place within the school campus.

12


The questionnaires were retrieved on the same day of the administration. Data that was

extracted from the questionnaires will be classified, organized and tabulated accordingly.

The researchers tabulated the data gathered from the answered questionnaires.

Analyzation and interpretation of data helped to formulate findings, conclusions and

recommendations.

Treatment of Data

The responses made by students describing their demographic characteristics,

preference of choosing their career, and anticipated problems were presented. Summary

presentations will also presented.

Statistical Treatment of Data

For the purpose of analysis and interpretation, the responses to the terms on the

questionnaires were tallied and recorded accordingly and the following assessment tools will

be used:

Frequency and Percentage. This is used to determine the proportion of students who

answered in a certain way. Formula:

P = Fn

X 100

Where:

P = Percentage

F = Frequency

n = No. of respondents

13


Weighted mean. It is the mean of each weighted value when it is multiplied by some weight.

Formula

x=∑ f i x i

∑ f i

Where:

x = Weighted mean

∑❑ = Summation

f i = Frequencies

x i = Items given

CHAPTER 1V

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter provided the gathered data and the researcher’s analysis and

interpretation of the results of the distributed surveys. The data were presented in a clear and

concise form, most which used graphs and tables.

Out of the 50 surveys distributed to different year level of BS Math students, all were

completed and returned. Most of the respondents preferred not to write their name and remain

anonymous.

Sub problem No. 1.Profiles of the respondents in terms of the following demographic:

Gender Frequency

Percentage

14


Male 22 44%

Female 28 56%

Total 50 100%

Table1.1. Profile of the Respondents in Terms of Gender

The Table 1.1 shows that 44% of our respondents are male and 56% of them are

female, we have a total of fifty respondents and the table clearly shows that majority of them

are female with twenty-eight respondents and the remaining twenty-two are male.

Year level Frequency Percentage

1st Year 5 10%

2nd Year 23 46%

3rd Year 16 32%

4th Year 6 12%

Total 50 100%

Table 1.2. Profile of the Respondents in Terms of Year Level

The Table 1.2 shows that majority of the respondents came from 2nd year level that has

46%, next is from 3rd year level that has 32%, 4th year that has 12% and the remaining 10%

were from 1st year level.

Sub problem No. 2. The top three expressed career choices of BS Math students.

Career Choices Frequency Percentage Weighted Mean

Rank

Teaching 34 25% 0.68 2

Statistician Career 18 13% 0.36 4

Career in Accountancy and Finance

22 16% 0.44 3

15


Career in Banking 39 28% 0.78 1

Actuarial Career 8 6% 0.16 6

Careers in Academia and Research

16 12% 0.32 5

Table 2.1. Career Preferences of BS Math students

The table shows that most of the students preferred career choice was in Banking 28%,

the 2nd in Teaching that has 25% and the 3rd was Career in Accountancy and Finance 16%.

Others are just one among their choice if they think to fail on their prefer career opportunities.

.

Sub problem No. 3. Possible problems that the students encountered in choosing their desired

career

Possible Problems Frequency Percentage Weighted Mean

Perceived Ability 5 10% 0.1

Poor Health 5 10% 0.1

Peer Influence 5 10% 0.1

Indecisiveness of chosen job 8 16% 0.16

Not stable for chosen career 7 14% 0.14

16


Stringent requirements 6 12% 0.12

Confusion due to varied interest 14 28% 0.28

Table 2.2 Possible problems that the students encountered in choosing their desired career

The table shows that most of the students have problems in their 28% of the

respondents have confusion due to their varied interest, 16% in Indecisiveness of chosen job,

14% in Not stable for chosen career, 12% in Stringent requirements and the remaining 30%

encountered problems were Perceived Ability, Poor Health and Peer Influence.

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary:

The study was conducted at Partido Sate University covering the Bachelor of Science in

Mathematics Students as the respondents.

The study assesed the needs of BS Math students from First year to Fourth year in

choosing their expressed career in the future and determine the factors that affect their career

choice.

17


Hypothetically, the anticipated problems encountered by BS Math students really affect

the career they want to take when they graduate such as perceived ability, poor health, peer

influence, Indecisiveness of chosen job, Not stable for chosen career, Stringent requirements

and Confusion due to varied interest.

Descriptive method is applied in the study. Frequencies, Weighted Mean and

Percentage were used in Statistical Treatment.

Findings:

Based on the results gathered the following findings are thereby presented:

1.) What are the profiles of the respondents in terms of gender, age and year level?

Majority of the respondents are female with frequency number of 28 respondents out of

50. Most of the respondents are aged 16-22 years old from 1 st year to 4th year BS Math.

The highest number of respondents were from 2nd year with 46% of the respondents.

2.) What are the top three expressed career of BS Math students?

a. Teaching-25% of the respondents have the mean range of 0.68, that ranks Second

among the expressed career of BS Math students.

b. Statistician career- 13% of the respondents have the mean range of 0.36, means that

they don’t much prefer to be an statistician.

c. Actuarial career-6% of the respondents have the mean range of 0.16, means that lot of

the respondents barely not prefer to be an actuarist.

18


d. Career in Banking-28% of the respondents have the mean range of 0.78, means that

most of the respondents wants to work as banking manager rather financer for it rank

First among the choices.

e. Career in Accountancy and Finance-16% of the respondents has a mean range of 0.44

that among the choices this rank Third, means that they also expressed to be an

accountant.

f. Career in Academia and Research- 12% of the respondents has a mean range of 0.32,

means that they don’t much prefer to work with papers and produce publications.

3.) What are the anticipated problems encounterd by BS Math students in choosing their

career?

Perceived Ability, Poor Health and Peer Influence has the lowest range of 0.1 out of 5

respondents, next was Stringent requirements that has a mean range of 0.12 out of 6

respondents means that they are not prepared to work at company that is strict in the

requirements needed, Not stable for chosen career that has 0.14 range , Indecisiveness of

chosen job that has 0.16 mean range means that thaey don’t know if they should need to take

such job or choose another and Confusion due to Varied Interest has the highest range of

0.28 out of 14 respondents means that due to confusion they want to take all the job that fits

their interest but its not that case because they only need to choose one.

4.) The effectiveness of teaching of the instructors based from the respondents will really

serve a great contribution to avoid their inexperience and ignorance to a career they

want to apply in the future.

19


5.) The intended learning outcomes for some did not achieved well due to their perceived

ability and being forgetful as a person.

Conclusions:

Based on the data gathered and on the said findings, the researchers came up with the

following consummations:

1. The researchers conclude that students prefer to have career in Banking, Teaching

and in Accountancy and Finance.

2. The researchers conclude that students have encountered some problems in

making their career choice most specially to their Confusion due to varied interest also with

regards to their perceived ability, poor health, influence of peer, etc. that might be the reason of

rejecting them in the career they want to pursue in the future.

3. The researchers conclude that instructors knowledge satisfies the students in terms

of their learning outcomes that can help for their future career.

Recommendations:

Based on the findings and conclusions made, the following recommendations are given:

1. The researchers recommend that BS Math students should now have an idea of

what career they should take after graduating their degree course based from their perceived

ability to help them prepared in the future.

20


2. The researchers recommend that they must not be fearsome rather be optimistic of

possible challenges they will garnered in their chosen career. Problems encountered in making

their career choice is not a big obstacle if they will stay positive in life.

3. The researchers recommend that BS Math students must now be stable to a

different fields of career they want to enter in the future. For instance if they truly expressed to

work in banking, they must know as early- the possible task that a worker in bank do to

practice their potential and unique ability.

4. Lastly in summary of the recommendation, The researchers recommend that

students must have a great motivation in life –study hard by stocking all their learning

outcomes and undertake appropriate work or career that fits their interest and ability as BS

Math students to help themselves a better and successful person in the future.

Bibliography:

Factors influencing College Students Career Choices

Http://aplawrene.com/Misc/cgcareergod

www.finduniversity.ph/majors/ bs -in- mathematics -philippines

group-201-20-20thesis-140320002225-phpapp01

21

http://www.finduniversity.ph/majors/bs-in-mathematics-philippines

http://aplawrene.com/Misc/cgcareergod


https://www. prospects .ac.uk/ careers -advice/what-can-i-do

Appendices:

22

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do