EXPLORING CAREER READINESS SKILLS OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Education

The lived experiences of senior high school graduates who are prepared for their future occupations were explored in this phenomenological study, together with the challenges encountered, coping mechanisms employed, and gained insights. The six purposively selected participants in the study came from three different exit tracks: higher education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Several important topics about the development of career preparation abilities, obstacles encountered, coping strategies, realizations, and suggestions for improvement are revealed by the information gathered. Many of the participants emphasized the value of skills they gained during their final year of high school, including communication, self-discipline, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management. Participants stated a variety of experiences. They pointed out that these abilities were essential for overcoming obstacles in their chosen industries, be it higher education, business, or the workplace. The study also identified stress, worry, self-doubt, and the challenge of balancing personal and academic responsibilities as major challenges to professional preparedness. Despite these challenges, participants used a variety of coping mechanisms to improve their preparedness, including time management, managing their emotions, and consulting guidance. The study also emphasizes how important professional preparation skills are for success in the future and how important it is for schools to help senior high school graduates develop these competencies. To guarantee that students have enough skills for the workforce or higher education, participants suggested additional workshops, career-related activities, on-the-job training (OJT), and mentorship programs. They also emphasized the necessity of a longer and more thorough OJT program to give students practical experience in real-world job settings. This study's result highlights the importance of job-ready skills for both short-term after-graduation success and long-term professional fulfillment. To educate students for the changing demands of the workforce, it suggested a comprehensive approach to education that promotes both professional and personal growth.

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