THE EMPLOYMENT RATE AND EMPLOYABILITY STATUS OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN OFFICE ADMINISTRATION GRADUATES FROM ACADEMIC YEAR 2018 TO 2019: A TRACER STUDY

Abstract

Tracer study is very important as a way of understanding the relevance and quality of programs offered by the higher education institutions as well as the labor market. Thus, the purpose of this quantitative study is to trace the graduates of the Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology (KCAST). Particularly, the study was conducted among 87 graduates of Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA) in A.Y. 2018-2019. The researchers found out that majority of the course contents of their program are relevant to their career requirements. In terms of employability rate of the graduates, more than half of them got employed one to three months after the graduation. Most of them are single and 23 years of age. 43.6% of the respondents are currently working as full-time in their job. With the data gathered, the researchers concluded that through their competent communication and interpersonal skills, graduates were more likely to land on the jobs connected to the degree they have studied. Therefore, the researchers recommend that the institution, particularly the department, should hold various job fairs and extensive seminars, as well as training and lectures for the graduating office administration students which are designed based on the specific needs of the industry. KEYWORDS: Office Administration Graduates, employment, quantitative-descriptive method, tracer study, Philippines.