Exploring External Factors Influencing Career Choices among Grade 12 Students in Western Visayas, Philippines

The right career choice for students in their professional field is critical, impacting their lives and achievements. Thus, this study investigated the multifaceted influences on career choices among grade 12 students during the critical transition from senior high school to college, anchored on Social Cognitive Career Theory. Utilizing quantitative design, specifically the descriptive and comparative approaches, this research explored the influence of various external factors, including family, peers, school environment, and societal culture, on students' decision-making. Two hundred thirty-three (233) grade 12 students from different strands were sampled. Results showed that the degree of influence of external factors on grade 12 students is moderate, with school environment as the highest and peer group as the lowest. Further, using an independent sample T-test and when grouped according to sex, a significant difference in the degree of influence of external factors in career choices is observed only in societal culture. Utilizing a one-way analysis of variance, no significant difference was observed in all external factors when grouped according to strand. The results of the study served as the basis for a proposed career awareness seminar for grade 12 students in collaboration with the Student Development and Placement Center (SDPC).