TRACER STUDY OF BSBA GRADUATES OF PSU

SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024

An

Undergraduate Thesis

Presented to the faculty of

Del Norte Cluster II

Palawan State University

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Major in Financial Management

By

Daboc, Bobby Vincent V.

Andales, Renamae

Jabagaton, Jamby

Ruiz, Robert

Saclet, Maria Lyn Miñao

November 2024
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers would like to thank all those who contributed to this research, entitled “Tracer

study of BSBA Graduates of Palawan State University (PSU) School Year 2023-2024.”

First, to Sir Mark Justine P. Vicera, their beloved research advisor, for providing

a continuous statement of the problem and enhancing the overall quality of their study.

Secexpress their gratitude to all those who have contributed to this research, entitled

“Tracer study of BSBA Graduates of Palawan State University (PSU) School Year 2023-

2024.” and, the researchers want to extend their deepest appreciation to the faculty and staff of

Palawan State University-Coron Campus for their unwavering support and valuable insights

throughout the research process. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping the direction of

their study.

Third, to their parents and guardians, for their understanding, encouragement, and

unwavering support during the research journey. Their belief in their abilities has been a driving

force throughout their research journey.

Above all, to the Almighty God, who has granted countless knowledge, countless

opportunities to the researchers, guidance, and strength bestowed upon them throughout the

entirety of accomplishing the research. This research would not have been possible without the

collective efforts of all those mentioned above. Thank you for being an integral part of this

academic endeavor.

-The Researchers
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE………………………………………………...……………
APPROVAL SHEET …………………………………………………….
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ………………………………………………….
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………
LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………….
LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………
LIST OF APPENDICES………………………………………………….

Chapter I – INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study ……………………………………
Statement of the Problem ……………………………………
Objectives of the Study ……………………………………...
Significance of the Study ……………………………………
Scope and Limitations …………………………...…………
Definition of Terms …………………………………………

Chapter II – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literature and Studies …………………………….…
Review of Related Studies ………….……………………....
Theoretical Framework/ Conceptual Framework ……………
Research Paradigm …………………….…………………...

Chapter III –METHODOLOGY

Research Design ………………………………………………
Locale of the Study…...…………………………………………
Data Collection Strategy…. ………………………………….
 Sampling Approach ………………………………………….
Target Respondents ………………………………………….
Ethical Considerations ………………………………………...
Statistical Design …………………………………………….
Questionnaire Design ……………………………………….

Chapter IV – RESULTS AND DISCUSSION………………………………

Chapter V – SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS’

Summary of Findings …………………………………….

Conclusions ………………………………………………
Recommendations ………………………………………...

REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………….
APPENDICES ……………………………………………….…………………
BIONOTES …………………………………...…………………………………
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The Tracer Study of BSBA Graduates of Palawan State University (PSU), School Year

2023-2024 aims to assess the Bachelor of Science in Administration (BSBA) program. Tracer

studies are essential tools for higher educational institutions, providing valuable insights into the

employability of their graduates, the relevance of academic programs to real-world careers, and

areas for curriculum improvement.

In a rapidly changing business environment, it is crucial to understand how graduates

navigate the job market and how well their education has prepared them for their roles. This

study will track the employment status, job satisfaction, and challenges BSBA graduates

face and explore their engagement in further studies or professional certification.

Through collecting and analyzing this data, the university aims to gather actionable

feedback that can enhance its academic programs, align them more closely with industry needs,

and improve the overall student experience. Furthermore, the study seeks to foster a stronger

relationship between PSU and its alumni, ensuring continuous support for their career

development while contributing to the institution's long-term success and reputation.

By engaging BSBA graduates in this research, PSU aims to not only evaluate its

education impact but also to contribute to the personal and professional growth of its alumni,
thereby reinforcing the university's mission of producing globally competitive business

professionals.

Statement of the Problem

 This study, entitled TRACER STUDY OF BSBA GRADUATES OF PSU SCHOOL

YEAR 2023-2024, attempts to determine the employability status of BSBA graduates.

Specifically, it sought answers to the following questions:

1. What is the general profile of the graduates in terms of the following?

a. General background

b. Educational background

c. Advanced pieces of training or advanced studies attended after college

2. What are the employment circumstances of the respondents?

3. What measures can the respondents suggest to improve their course curriculum?

Objectives of the Study

 This study seeks a tracer study on BSBA graduates of Palawan State University (PSU),

School Year 2023-2024, to evaluate the program's effectiveness in preparing graduates for the

job market. Ultimately, the study aims to provide Palawan State University (PSU) with valuable

data to inform future curriculum development, program improvements, and career services

offerings. This data will help ensure that the BSBA program continues to produce graduates who

are competitive and successful in the job market

1. To determine the profile of the BSBA graduates in terms of:

A. Age

B. Gender

C. Civil Status

2. Assess Employment Outcomes:

A. To determine the employment rate of BSBA graduates within a specific period after

graduation.

B. To determine the percentage of graduates employed, unemployed, or pursuing further

education.

C. Identifying the types of jobs graduates are holding, the industries they are working in,

and their salary levels

3. Evaluate the Relevance of BSBA Program:

A. To assess the BSBA degree's relevance to graduates' current job positions.

B. To gather feedback on how well the BSBA curriculum prepared graduates for the

workforce.
 4. Identify Challenges in Employment:

A. Identify the key challenges or barriers the graduates face in securing employment or

furthering their careers.

B. To explore factors contributing to unemployment or underemployment among

graduates.

Significance of the Study

This study would be beneficial to the following:

 For BSBA Graduates: The study's findings can provide valuable insights for current and

future BSBA students about potential career paths, industry trends, and the skills employers

value. This can help them make informed decisions about their career goals and prepare for a

successful future.

To the Faculty. The study is conducted to add to the body of knowledge about the status

of graduates and how the current students can be assisted toward successful employment upon

graduation.

To the Palawan State University Coron Campus: This study will help the PSU-Coron

Campus the study serves as a crucial tool for evaluating the effectiveness of the BSBA program.

By analyzing employment data, career paths, and graduate feedback, PSU can identify strengths

and weaknesses of the curriculum and make necessary adjustments to ensure graduates are well-

prepared for the job market. The study's findings can inform curriculum development and ensure

the program aligns with current industry demands. This can involve updating course content,

introducing new skills, or revising teaching methodologies to better equip graduates with the

knowledge and abilities employers seek.

To the Future Researchers: The study will further open doors for future researchers to

refine and

Overall, the significance of this tracer study lies in its ability to create a positive feedback loop

between PSU and its BSBA graduates. By gathering and analyzing data, the study can inform

program improvements, enhance career services, and ultimately contribute to the success of both

the university and its graduates.

Scope and Limitation
 The coverage of this research study is focused on the BSBA graduates of PSU for the

school year 2023-2024. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the graduates'

employment status, career paths, and overall success in the job market. However, it is essential to

acknowledge the limitations inherent in any research study based on self-reported data. By

implementing strategies to address these limitations and expanding the scope of future studies,

the findings can be further enhanced and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of

the graduates' success in the job market.

This study will be limited by the graduates' response rate and the potential for bias in

self-reported data. It will also be limited by its focus on employment outcomes, neglecting other

potential career paths. However, the study will attempt to mitigate these limitations by

employing a multi-pronged approach to encourage participation, ensure data quality, and expand

the scope of future studies.

Definition of Terms

A tracer study is a research method used to track the outcomes of graduates from a

particular program or institution. It aims to gather information about what happens to individuals
after they have completed their studies, helping to assess the effectiveness in preparing them for

further education, employment, or other opportunities.

BSBA stands for Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a degree program that

focuses on business management.

PSU refers to the Palawan State University, a public research university in Coron,

Palawan, Philippines. However, it is possible that PSU in your context refers to another

institution, so it's important to clarify this.

School Year 2023-2024 refers to the academic year spanning from the fall semester of

2023 to the spring semester of 2024.

Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter contains all the related literature and studies found by the researchers from

various sources especially articles, and previous researchers that are related to the topic, to
completely understand and know all the information involved with this particular issue. In

addition to this, the researchers do this to support and help to be familiarized with all cognizance

that are relevant to the present.

Related Literature and Studies

Review of Related Studies

In today's competitive job market, both government and private organizations in the

Philippines typically require employees to have at least a college degree relevant to the position
they're applying for. These institutions prioritize candidates based on their education, work

experience, and adaptability to the specific workplace.

To meet this demand, many tertiary institutions in the Philippines, including state

universities (SUCs) like Palawan State University Coron campus, offer a variety of college

programs. The Coron campus, for example, provides social science programs in fields like

education, business, tourism, hospitality, and criminology. Earning a college degree is widely

recognized as a crucial step for professionals seeking advancement in their chosen industries. It

provides them with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in their future

careers.

Bay, A. B., An, I. L., & Laguador, J. M., (2014) said that Filipino teachers, who are

currently employed in Asian Universities, were somehow satisfied or thankful for the services

their institution provides and were able to consistently emphasize the need for a master’s degree

to improve one’s intellectual capacity, competence and career advancement. The study affirms

that all teachers regardless of institutional membership should endeavor in master’s degree

programs.

According to the study of Tormis, J. P. and Murcia, J. V. B. (2016), the business

administration students of the University of Mindanao Digos College were able to send their

graduates to some of the most reputable companies in the country for their internship program

with an average rating of 87% in terms of their grades and scholastic records at school. They also

added that their performance towards their work reflects on their productivity as the majority of

them perform well in their respective positions in the company. The study also focused on
determining the performance and productivity of the graduates and how well they function in an

organization.

Based on the study conducted by Engr. Rolando P. Corpuz, 2020 of Nueva Ecija

University, his tracer study revealed that there are 24 graduates of the BSBA batch 2018 and 29

alumni of the BS Entrepreneurship batch 2019. Based on the findings of the study, only more

than half of the graduates are employed specifically in their nearby cities while some are

working abroad. Service industries and government agencies are the most sought-after

organizations where these graduates were employed.

Career After Graduation- A European Research Study

Imagine a group of researchers curious about how college graduates in Europe

navigate the world of work. They didn't just want to look at one country, they wanted to

see the bigger picture. So, they decided to study graduates from nine different countries

across Europe, including some from Central and Eastern Europe and even one outside of

Europe.

They wanted to understand how those graduates transition from the classroom to

their first jobs. What happens in those first few years after graduation? What challenges do

they face? What helps them succeed?

But they didn't just focus on the graduates themselves. They also wanted to know

how universities, employers, and job search services play a role in this transition. Are

there common challenges or successes in preparing students for their careers? How do

different countries approach things like career counseling, job training, and even how

employers recruit new talent?

 The researchers knew that there wasn't a lot of good information out there, so they

wanted to create a more comprehensive study. They wanted to compare different countries

and see what could be learned from each other.

Their hope was that this research would help policymakers, educators, and employers

make better decisions about how to prepare students for their careers and make the

transition from college to work smoother for everyone.

Theoretical Framework/ Conceptual Framework

The preceding chapters established the fundamental framework of this research,

encompassing the Introduction, Statement of the Problems, Importance of Study, Objectives of

the Study, and Scope and Delimitation. This chapter serves as a crucial building block, aiming to

present a comprehensive review of relevant literature and studies within the pertinent disciplines

and fields. By delving into existing knowledge and research issues, this chapter will provide a

solid foundation to guide the paper and foster insightful outcomes. Furthermore, it will

contribute to the justification and support of the research topics.

Research Paradigm

Independent Variable Intervening Variable Dependent Variable

BSBA PROFILE OF EMPLOYMENT

GRADUATES THE STATUS OF THE
RESPONDENTS GRADUATES

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

Definition of Terms

The following terms were operationally used and defined in this study:

Contractual. This category refers to respondents currently employed under a contract with

the company.

Demographic Profile. This section focuses on respondent demographics, including

gender, age, civil status, address, and graduation year.

Employment Details. This refers to the details and information regarding the

employment status of the graduates and some of these are the nature of employment, length of

employment salary ranges, etc.

Employment Status. This section focuses on the current employment status of

graduates, categorizing them as either unemployed or employed.

Job Market. This section explores the job markets where graduates are actively seeking

employment opportunities.
 Length of Employment. This refers to the tenure or total number of years the graduate is

currently employed in his present job.

Nature of Employment. This section explores the different types of employment

arrangements graduates hold, including regular, contractual, part-time, or on-call positions.

Regular. This section focuses on employment types where graduates receive full

employee benefits and protections as outlined in labor laws, including minimum wage, employee

benefits, and allowances.

Tracer Study. This study focuses on the employment status and characteristics of

graduates, specifically investigating the number of graduates currently employed or unemployed.

Tertiary Education. This refers to the level of education commonly known as college

education.

Unemployed. This refers to the status of graduates who are currently not employed.