ABSTRACT
MENDOZA, ABIGALE ROSE D., SOLAYAO, GLENIE JOYCE A., Biliran Province State University, Naval, Biliran, Philippines. April 2023. “Assessing Career Progression: A Primer Tracer Study of the Alumni in BIPSU of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Financial Management 2019-2024” A Thesis
Adviser: GERLY S. RADAM, MPM
This tracer study examined the career progression and employability of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) graduates majoring in Financial Management from Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) covering 2019–2024. Guided by Becker’s Human Capital Theory and Super’s Career Development Theory, it employed a descriptive-quantitative design using the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Graduate Tracer Study (GTS) survey with 269 respondents.
Findings revealed that most respondents were female (80.30%), aged 21–30, and few pursued advanced studies. Employment stood at 81.04%, with most graduates in clerical and administrative positions, though gradual mobility toward supervisory and managerial levels was observed. About 66.91% held jobs aligned with their academic field, reflecting growing program–industry alignment. Communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking were the most utilized competencies, while information technology, accounting, and bookkeeping were cited as key skill gaps.
Despite strong employability outcomes, limited promotions and minimal international exposure suggested slow career progression. The study recommends enhancing digital and technical skill integration, strengthening industry partnerships, and improving career preparation programs to sustain long-term graduate competitiveness.
Keywords: Biliran Province State University, BSBA Financial Management, Career Progression, Employability, Industry Alignment, Skill Gaps, Tracer Study
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Career progression reflects an individual’s long-term professional growth and is linked to motivation and job satisfaction. Employability encompasses not only job acquisition but adaptability to labor market demands. Business graduates often face challenges such as skill mismatches, outdated curricula, and economic instability. BiPSU’s BSBA Financial Management program aims to prepare graduates for finance-related careers, yet gaps remain in IT competence and practical readiness. Tracer studies therefore serve as essential tools to evaluate graduates’ employment outcomes and guide curriculum improvement.
This study assessed the employability and career progression of BSBA–Financial Management graduates from 2019–2024, emphasizing the relationship between academic preparation and labor market performance.
Objectives of the Study
Improvement in the academic curriculum. It can also serve as a reference point in improving the current programs and in designing new programs that address the real training needs of the students.
To the faculty members, this tracer study may help them upgrade the standards by continuously
inspiring and enriching the minds of the students to be competitive and excel in their respective areas of specialization who will take active participation in the globally competitive world for service and international development.
To the students, this may serve as their motivation to study harder to realize their dreams and make them aware that there are successful graduates.
To the graduates, this tracer study may help them obtain information on their occupational, educational and socioeconomic activities, the supplementary training they need for their present jobs, or better job placement.
Research Questions
The main objective of this tracer study is to determine the level of employability of the graduates of an Academic Institution (AI) in Bulacan for the course Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA for the 2015-2016 school year to 2017-2018).
Improvement in the academic curriculum. It can also serve as a reference point in improving the current programs and in designing new programs that address the real training needs of the students.
To the faculty members, this tracer study may help them upgrade the standards by continuously
inspiring and enriching the minds of the students to be competitive and excel in their respective areas of specialization who will take active participation in the globally competitive world for service and international development.
To the students, this may serve as their motivation to study harder to realize their dreams and make them aware that there are successful graduates.
To the graduates, this tracer study may help them obtain information on their occupational, educational and socioeconomic activities, the supplementary training they need for their present jobs, or for better job placement.
Research Questions
The main objective of this tracer study is to determine the level of employability of the graduates of an Academic Institution (AI) in Bulacan for the course Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA for the 2015-2016 school year to 2017-2018).
The main objective of this tracer study is to determine the level of employability of the graduates of an Academic Institution (AI) in Bulacan for the course Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA for the 2015-2016 school year to 2017-2018).
The primary objective of this study is to assess the career progression of the graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) major in Financial Management.
This tracer study aimed to achieve the following objectives:
1. Identify the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:
1.1 Sex;
1.2 Age; and
1.3 Advanced studies;
2. Assess the academic alignment between graduates' current careers and the program graduated.
3. Determine the employment data of the graduates in terms of:
3.1 Present employment status;
3.2 Reason/s for unemployment;
3.3 Present occupation;
3.4 Job level position;
3.5 Tenure of work;
3.6 Time length in landing a job after graduation;
3.7 Promotion;
3.8 Experience working abroad;
3.9 Acquired skills of BSBA graduates match the industry needs; and
3.10 Eligibility;
4. Determine the competencies acquired by graduates in the program used in the job in terms of:
4.1 Communication Skills;
4.2 Problem-solving Skills;
4.3 Critical Thinking Skills;
4.4 Human Relation Skills; and
4.5 Entrepreneurial Skills;
5. Determine the skills gap based on graduate feedback to enhance the curriculum.
Framework of The Study
This study was anchored on Becker’s Human Capital Theory (1964) and Super’s Career Development Theory (1980), which jointly explain how education influences employability and career growth.
