Sunday, March 18, 2012

5 Things to Consider in Choosing and Deciding on What Career Path to Take for Graduating High School Students

 By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd Quezon, CALABARZON

Reality speaks that only one in every college graduates actually land a job related to their course and discipline.  Majority don't and the most unlucky just join the bandwagon of the unemployed or 'tambays.'

There are actually lots of available jobs in the industry today which has remained unfilled due to existing mismatch with what the industry actually needs and our schools are producing.

Contrary to popular belief, there is MUCH money in Agriculture.
In this regard, I recalled what has transfired a couple of days ago while travelling on my way to work. I heard sitmates discussing on what course they intend their siblings to take after graduation.  One said that "I like her just take education, however, she doesnt like it that's why, may be just Hotel and Restaurant Management (gusto ko magteacher na lang sya, kaso ayaw, kaya Hotel and Restaurant Management na lang siguro). 

This could be prevented if we could learn to consider the following:

1.  The labor market trends and industry needs.  What is needed by the labor market today and two to five years from now?  The classified ads will give you a clue of what possibly is the best career will land you a job after graduation.  Dont just go with the craze or peer influence.  Remember, its about yourself and your future.

2.  Competence and passion.  Consider your competence, skills, abilities and what you like and love to do.  Your passion and interest and the areas you excel the most. The result of your NCAE (National Career Assessment Examination) will guide you what career suits you. It does mean that what you wanted may simply be unfit on what you can do and is passionate of doing. Much more what you think is the in-thing at present is absolutely not what the industry and the employers need and wanted two to five years from now. 

3.  Resources.  Apart from competence and skills is the availability of resources.  Does your family can afford the course you want to take?  If not, look for scholarships available.  There are lots of available scholarships that the government and the private sectors offer to deserving students. 

4.  Choose the right institution.  For those who will opt to enroll in college, choose credible institutions with record of quality academic standards and high board passing rates.  Don't be fooled by schools that produce Board topnotchers but have a low passing rate.  For those who opt to take courses with a much higher employability, consider TESDA or the Technical and Skills Development Authority.

5.  Consider and balance all your options. After considering your resources, you have to consider your options.  May be you could consider technical and agricultural courses.  The government agency TESDA offers lots of technical courses whose employability is very high.  Not only that you will only be trained for a short time.  There are also private and non-government run technical institutions where their students already earn while are studying!

It is a cutlural belief that being professional is the best route to success.  On the contrary it's not for there are varying route to success.  The professional world doesnt simply have the monopoly of it.  Success depends on the person. 

You may also like: 

Basic Guide in Choosing the Right Career for High School Graduating Students

The Dismal State of Graduate Education 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

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the following on your blog.

http://paase.org/images/deped_k12.pdf

Thank you.