A Tracer Study on the Employability of the Graduates of BSBA Marketing Management: Basis for Curriculum Enhancement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v10ispecial_1.3178Keywords:
Graduate Tracer Study, Business Administration, Marketing Curriculum, HIgher Education, EmployabilityAbstract
This study examines the career trajectories and employment patterns of graduates from Rizal Technological University (RTU) who obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration with a specialization in marketing management. Data was collected through a survey questionnaire administered to 527 identified graduates of Marketing Management from RTU's Mandaluyong and Pasig campuses, employing a quantitative descriptive study methodology. The questionnaire addressed graduate profiles, program selection rationales, employability data, college competencies, and the relevance of current roles to marketing sectors. Demographic data has revealed a gender imbalance favoring women, along with a significant proportion of single individuals. This study indicates that numerous graduates secured employment within six months of graduation, reflecting a high level of employability among them. Over time, notable career advancements were observed, illustrating the program's effectiveness in promoting professional growth. Graduates prioritized critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills in their initial employment. Tailored professional development programs should address the diverse needs of students, while curriculum enhancements should focus on advancing disciplines such as sales, customer service, account management, sales promotion, and advertising. Enhancing practical skills is advisable, and fostering robust industrial partnerships is recommended to improve graduates' employability. This tracer study offers valuable insights by proposing curricular improvements to align graduates' competencies with industry requirements. Educational institutions can adequately address industry demands by using these strategies to ensure graduates are well-prepared for successful jobs in marketing management. Subsequent research initiatives explore innovative facets and adapt to the evolving market demands.
Metrics
References
Abas, M., & Imam, O. (2016). Graduates' Competence on Employability Skills and Job Performance. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 5(2), 119-125.
Absuelo, R. (2014). Employability of Philippine college and university graduates in the United States. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/868
Alvarez, M. (2020). Employment Trend of Graduates of Bachelor of Science In Business Administration Major in Marketing of the College Of Business, Accountancy and Public Administration, Isabela State University. Journal of Critical Reviews.
Arthur, J. (2019). Level of job satisfaction of Filipino nurses in Attendo Oy, Finland. https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/227415/Jimeno_Arthur.pdf?isAllowed =y&sequence=2
Ashcroft, K. (2010). Dilemmas of higher education massification in Ethiopia. University World News. Issue No:61.
Bhat, A. (2019). Descriptive Research: Definition, Characteristics, Methods, Examples and Advantages. Retrieved from https://www.questionpro.com/blog/descriptive-research/
Brase, C. (2015). Statistics and Probability. Cengage Learning Philippine Edition. Jo-es Publishing Inc. Valenzuela
Buenviaje, M., del Mundo, G., Añonuevo, F., & Martinez, M. (2015). Employability of business and computer management graduates of one higher education institution in the Philippines. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 3(5), 63-71.
Campus, N., Nuyda M., & Icaranom, C. (2011). Employment status of the English graduates 2006-2008, BU Legazpi City.
Castro-Palaganas, E., Spitzer, D. L., Kabamalan, M. M., Sanchez, M. C., Caricativo, R., Runnels, V., Labonté, R., Murphy, G. T., & Bourgeault, I. L. (2017). Examining the causes, consequences, and policy responses to the migration of highly trained health personnel from the Philippines: The high cost of living/leaving— a mixed method study. Human Resources for Health, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-017-0198-z
Commission on Higher Education. (2020). CHED - CHED. CHED. https://ched.gov.ph/ched/
Corpus, M. (2021). The Agency for Accreditation. www.aaccupqa.org.ph. Retrieved November 25, 2021, from http://www.aaccupqa.org.ph/index.php/about-aaccup
Cruz, R., & Nuqui, A. (2014). Revisiting the Employability and Productivity of Nursing Graduates of La Consolacion University Philippines. IJTEMT, 12-26.
Deblois, E. (2021). The employment profile of graduates in a state university in Bicol Region, Philippines. Journal of Education, Management and Development Studies, 1(1), 33–41. https://doi.org/10.52631/jemds.v1i1.10
Garwe, E. (2013). Holistic Initiatives for Enhancing Graduate Employability in Zimbabwe. Research in Higher Education Journal, pp. 1–12.
Gawrycka, M., Kujawska, J., & Tomczak, M. (2019). Competencies of graduates as future labor market participants – preliminary study. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 33(1), 1095–1107. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677x.2019.1631200
Gines, A. (2014). Tracer study of PNU graduates. American International Journal of Contemporary Research.
Glavin, C. (2018). What is Outcome-based education? | K12 Academics. Www.k12academics.com. https://www.k12academics.com/education-reform/outcome-based-education/what-obe
Hallasgo, A. & Taja-on, E. (2023). Exploring the Professional Trajectories of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Graduates of San Isidro College: An In-Depth Tracer Study. 4. 152-166. 10.5281/zenodo.10442365.
Hassard, J., McCann, L. & Morris, J. (2008). Managing in the New Economy: Restructuring White-Collar Work in the USA, UK and Japan. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Hwang, Y. (2017). What Is the Cause of Graduates’ Unemployment? Focus on Individual Concerns and Perspectives. Journal of Educational Issues, 3(2). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1150519.pdf
Khatri, I., & Periwal, V. (2020). Study of Influence by Family on Career Decisions of Indian Management Students. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3745136
Knight, P & Yorke, M. (2002). Employability through the curriculum. Tertiary Education and Management. 8. 261 - 276
Koçak, O., Ak, N., Erdem, S., Sinan, M., Younis, M., & Erdoğan, A. (2021, May 31). The Role of Family Influence and Academic Satisfaction on Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Happiness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115919
Lannu, J. E., & Nobleza, M. F. L. (2017). The Impact of Competitiveness on The Employability of Philippines Industrial Designers: Streamlining the Program with the International Market. International Journal of Business & Administrative Studies, 3(1).
Macalalad, J., Buenviaje, M., Regalario, G., & Laguador, J. (2016). Employment Status of Graduates with Post Baccalaureate Degrees in Business Administration from one Higher Education Institution in the Philippines. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, Arts and Sciences, Vol. 3 No.4, 17-26(2362-8022).
Mainga, W., Murphy-Braynen, M., Moxey, R., & Quddus, S.(2022). Graduate Employability of Business Students. Administrative Sciences, 12(3), 72. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci12030072
Mao, S. (2021). Students’ Choice of a Business Major and Career: A Qualitative Case Study of Motivation to Study Finance and Banking. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17005861.v1
Mao, Y., Zhang, Y., Bai, J., Zhang, L., & Hu, W. (2022, November 11). The impact of COVID-19 on the employment status and psychological expectations of college graduates: Empirical evidence from the survey data of Chinese recruitment websites. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1039945
Matriano, E. & Nihei, S., Galangue, C., Deonaldo, A., Rendor, A., Bice, E., & Figuerres, N. (2017). A Tracer Study on The Employability Of Business Administration Graduates Of Columban College (AY 2013 -2016). 222-7782.
Millington, C. (2003). The Use of Tracer Studies for Enhancing Relevance and Marketability in Online and Distance Education. Barbados Community College.
Miranda, R., & Reyes-Chua, E. (2021). Best Practices in Quality Assurance in Selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines in the Light of the Malcolm Baldrige Framework. WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT, 17(10.37394/232015.2021.17.51), 533–545. https://doi.org/10.37394/232015.2021.17.51
Mocon-Ciriaco, C. (2016). DepEd welcomes the first batch of Grade 11 students nationwide | Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco. BusinessMirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2016/06/12/deped-welcomes-first-batch-of-grade-11-students-nationwide/
Navarro, R. (2003). The relevance and responsiveness of the University of Northern Philippines course offerings to the workforce needs of Region I. Vol. 1, Unpublished Dissertation, University of Northern Philippines, Vigan City.
Nyamwange, J. (2016). Influence of Student’s Interest on Career Choice among First-Year University Students in Public and Private Universities in Kisii County, Kenya. Retrieved March 12, 2024, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1092415
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021). Employment Situation in January 2021. https://www.bing.com/search?q=retrieved+from+Philippine+Statistics+Authority+(psa.gov.ph)&cvid=8b750c990127480aa89f38980d8589fa&aqs=edge.69i57.2704j0j9&FORM=ANAB01&PC=DCTS
Quario, Felicidad D. (2004). Status of Architecture Education in Colleges and Universities in Region I. Unpublished Dissertation, University of Northern Philippines, Vigan City.
Quinto, L. & Posada, A. (2020). A Tracer Study among Medical Technology Graduates of LPU-St. Cabrini School of Health Sciences, Inc. LPU-Laguna Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 4(1). https://lpulaguna.edu.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2021/09/5.-Quinto-Posada_GTS-Medtech.pdf
Ramirez, T. (2014). Tracer study of RTU graduates: an analysis. Journal of art science and commerce, Vol. 5, No. 1.
Robinson, J. & Garton, B. (2007). An assessment of the employability skills needed by graduates in the College of Agriculture, food, and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. Journal of Agricultural Education. Vol. 49, No. 4, pp.96–105.
Saong, S., Bonifacio, J., & Gili, K. (2023). The Role of Higher Education Curriculum in the Employability of Health Science Graduates. International Journal of Academe and Industry Research. https://iiari.org/journal_article/the-role-of-higher-education-curriculum-in-the-employability-of-health-sciences-graduates/
Schomburg, H. (2003). Handbook for Graduate Tracer Studies.
Tayco, R., Supat, P., & Estrope, C. (2022). Employability of a State University Graduates in the Philippines. Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Sustainable Development, 10(2).
Toogood, C. (2018). What makes graduates choose self-employment? Luminate. https://luminate.prospects.ac.uk/what-makes-graduates-choose-self-employment
Tutor, M., Orbeta, A., & Miraflor, J. M. (2019). Philippine Graduate Tracer Study 4. https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/240977/1/pidsdps1926.pdf
University of Reading. (2019). Why Undertake Curriculum Review? Curriculum Framework. https://sites.reading.ac.uk/curriculum-framework/why-undertake-curriculum-review/
Uy, J. (2016, March 29). 3 out of 4 Filipinos prefer to work in their hometowns. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/776677/3-out-of-4-filipinos-prefer-to-work-inhometowns
Van Deuren, R., Kahsu, T., Mohammed, S. and Woldie, W. (2016). Ethiopian new public universities: Achievements, challenges, and illustrative case studies. Quality Assurance in Education. Vol. 24, No. 2, pp.158–172.
Wagani, R., & Marathe, A. (2021). Role of Passion in Career Choices of University Students: A Mixed Method Study. Retrieved March 12, 2024, from https://journalppw.com/index.php/jppw/article/view/864
Wijngaards-de Meij, L., & Merx, S. (2018). Improving curriculum alignment and achieving learning goals by making the curriculum visible. International Journal for Academic Development, 23(3), 219–231. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144x.2018.1462187
Williams, S. (2002). Making better business decisions: Understanding and improving critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Sage.
Wilson, D. (2012). A review of Business - University Collaboration. Available at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/32383/12-610-Wilson-review-business-university-collaboration.pdf (accessed 18th February 2016)
Zambas, J. (2021). The Importance of Effective Communication in the Workplace.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 John Eric Estrellado, Corazon Austria, Jammie Lee Gregorio

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The Diversitas Journal expresses that the articles are the sole responsibility of the Authors, who are familiar with Brazilian and international legislation.
Articles are peer-reviewed and care should be taken to warn of the possible incidence of plagiarism. However, plagiarism is an indisputable action by the authors.
The violation of copyright is a crime, provided for in article 184 of the Brazilian Penal Code: “Art. 184 Violating copyright and related rights: Penalty - detention, from 3 (three) months to 1 (one) year, or fine. § 1 If the violation consists of total or partial reproduction, for the purpose of direct or indirect profit, by any means or process, of intellectual work, interpretation, performance or phonogram, without the express authorization of the author, the performer, the producer , as the case may be, or whoever represents them: Penalty - imprisonment, from 2 (two) to 4 (four) years, and a fine. ”