Choice of Program as a Predictor of Employability: A Comparative Study of BTLEd Graduates from the University of Rizal System

AUTHOR(S)

MARK LEE V. CHEUNGKOCK

ABSTRACT

——The transition from higher education to the workforce is influenced by various factors, among which initial program choice has emerged as a significant determinant of professional outcomes. This study investigated whether entering a degree program as a first or second preference serves as a significant predictor of employability for Bachelor in Technology and Livelihood Education (BTLEd) major in Home Economics graduates at the University of Rizal System, Morong Campus. Utilizing a descriptive research design with total enumeration, the study tracked 135 graduates from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 cohorts. Data were collected through an adapted Graduate Tracer Survey. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the relationship between program choice, employment status, and career alignment. The findings revealed a predominant female majority and a significant “First Choice” advantage. Graduates who prioritized BTLEd as their first choice demonstrated a higher employment rate compared to second-choice graduates Statistically, a highly significant relationship was found between program choice and both employability and career alignment. Specifically, 85.29% of first-choice graduates successfully entered the teaching profession, whereas 65.63% of secondchoice graduates transitioned into diverse, non-teaching roles. The study finds that a student’s initial commitment to the program strongly predicts their future career path. Although the BTLEd degree prepares graduates for many different jobs, it is most effective at producing teachers when the student is genuinely motivated and focused on an education career from the start. Keywords: Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education, Home Economics, Program Choice, Employability, Career Alignment, Graduate Tracer Study, University of Rizal System