Employability and Career Outcomes of Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography Graduates

Abstract

This study uses a cross-sectional survey method to describe the employability and career outcomes of MSU-TCTO graduates from 1980 to 2020. Data were collected from a diverse cohort of graduates using the MSU-TCTO Alumni Employability Tracer (MAET) Form, adapted from CHED's Graduate Employability Tracer Form. The study aimed to reach a target of twenty percent (20%) of total respondents through extensive "Meet-and-Greet" sessions held across various cities and municipalities, organizing MSU-TCTO alumni into chapters for enhanced outreach. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and weighted mean.  Findings reveal significant insights into graduates' demographic profiles, employment status, reasons for employment or unemployment, initial job placements, salary ranges, and perceived relevancy of college education to their careers. Notable findings include a high overall employability rate of 73.23% among MSU-TCTO graduates, with variations observed across the six colleges. Factors influencing job placement, such as licensure examination outcomes and job search methods, are also elucidated. Conclusions drawn from the study affirm the relevance of MSU-TCTO curricula to graduates' initial job placements and underscore the importance of ongoing curriculum review to meet industry demands. Recommendations include the necessity for periodic graduate tracer studies, collaboration with employers for qualitative insights, the establishment of robust alumni databases, and fostering agency partnerships to enhance graduates' marketability. Moreover, the study highlights the value of integrating alumni feedback into curriculum development processes to ensure continued alignment with industry needs.