Analyzing College Graduate Acquired Skills, Values, Educational Experiences, Continuing Professional Development, and their Employability Profile

Abstract

The study was conducted at WU-P, Aurora, and sought to analyze the acquired skills, values, educational experiences, continuing professional development, and the employability profile of college graduates during the pandemic of Academic Years 2020 and 2021. The researcher utilized a descriptive-correlational research design through survey questionnaires. A total enumeration sampling procedure was used, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The results showed that graduates who found the curriculum relevant remained in their jobs longer, emphasizing the importance of aligning academic programs with industry needs. Key challenges graduates faced included tight competition, limited job vacancies, “plakasan” or reliance on personal connections, and lack of work experience. Graduates preferred gaining practical skills through training seminars rather than pursuing further academic studies. Skills development, particularly in technical and networking, was crucial for securing employment. The study also emphasized the importance of internships and hands-on projects in preparing students for real-world challenges. These findings suggest that improving career services, updating curricula to align with industry demands, and providing more opportunities for practical training would enhance graduate employability.