The Career Readiness of Criminology Graduates in University of Eastern Pangasinan: An Evaluation

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the perceived level of career readiness of criminology graduates from the University of Eastern Pangasinan in terms of self-information, career information, decision-making, and career planning. By understanding their readiness, they can identify the challenges faced when transitioning from university to employment. This helps ensure they possess the necessary skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen fields. These insights can guide better support for their career development and decision making. The study employed a mixed-methods approach. A descriptive quantitative design was used to examine career readiness at the University of Eastern Pangasinan, with participants drawn from the CCJE Department. All fourth-year criminology graduates, participated in in-depth surveys and document reviews providing a comprehensive understanding of career readiness. To enrich the data, researchers conducted one-on-one interviews with respondents, generating qualitative data that addressed the research questions. Data collection stopped once new information no longer provided insights. The Average Weighted Mean served as the analytical tool for determining the perceived level of career readiness across self-information, career information, decision-making, and career planning. The key findings from this analysis are detailed next.
The findings revealed very high perceived level of career readiness among criminology graduates at the University of Eastern Pangasinan. The overall weighted mean was 4.29, indicating strength in self-information, career-information, decision-making, and career planning.
The study concluded that criminology graduates rated their readiness as very high in self-information, career-information, decision-making, and career planning.
However, they faced challenges such as time management during career preparation, emotional struggles in board exam preparation, and financial constraints. It is recommended that measures be implemented to further enhance the career readiness of these graduates at the University of Eastern Pangasinan.