- by Reynaldo N. Dusaran (completed October 2015)
ABSTRACT
This tracer study was conducted to gather relevant information as to the employment of CPU College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences (CARES) graduates from 2006 to 2011 and compare the present findings with the previous findings. Data mere collected through a self-administered questionnaire among 51 out of the 82 (62.2%) graduates of the CPU CARES from 2006 to 2011. Results revealed that except for the single civil status of the respondents in the present study (2006-2011) and married in the first survey (1995-2005). the respondents in both surveys were males, not more than 30 years of age, from Region VI, specifically from Iloilo and residents of municipalities. A greater proportion of respondents in the present than the first survey had acquired professional skills but a greater proportion of the respondents in the first survey had passed any professional examination than those in the present survey. A greater proportion of the respondents in the present survey than in the first survey had attended any training and had advance studies and were employed, however, a much greater proportion of the respondents in the first than in the present survey were regular or permanent. A greater proportion of the respondents in the present survey are working abroad and claimed their present employment as their first job. In both surveys, the respondents claimed that their first job is related to their course. Most of the respondents in the first survey stayed in their first job for one to six months only while most of those in the present survey stayed in their first job from one year to less than two years. In both surveys. the respondents were able to find their first job recommended by someone within six months with a greater proportion of respondents in the present than in the first survey finding their first job as recommended by someone and within six months. The level of the first and present job of the respondents in both surveys is more or less the similar as professional, technical or supervisory. The initial gross monthly earnings of the respondents in the present survey are higher than those in the first survey. In both surveys, the respondents claimed that their curriculum was relevant to their first job and the major competencies they learned in college that they find very useful in their first job included technical skills and human relations skills plus communications skills in the first survey and critical thinking skills in the present survey. Generally, they did not make any suggestions to improve their course curriculum and their program. The respondents in both surveys took their course at CARES because of the quality of its graduates as seen from its alumni, known standard of instruction and performance of its graduates in the field. Among the five major program components, in both surveys, farm practice had the highest mean significance rating while extension had the lowest rating. Overall mean significance rating was slightly higher in the first survey than in the present survey. Among the nine different services/areas of the university/college, in the first survey, highest mean satisfaction rating was on library while the lowest satisfaction rating was on laboratory. In the present survey, highest mean satisfaction rating was on faculty while the lowest rating was on physical plant. The overall mean satisfaction rating has improved.