research about working students in the philippines

Investigating the relationships among the forced shift to remote learning, employability and work readiness of recent college graduates

• Published: 03 May 2024

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• Celeste Racelis Lucero   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3890-8930 1  

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Since the COVID-19 crisis manifested, it has drastically changed educational landscapes worldwide, with the Philippines grappling with digital disparities exacerbating inequality. Current studies mainly explored the immediate impact of forced remote learning on academic performance and practical skills. However, there was an underexplored area concerning the effect on recent college graduates' perceived employability and work readiness. This study aims to address this gap, focusing on the Philippines context. Responses from 131 recent college graduates were analyzed, revealing that the forced shift to remote learning significantly contributed to perceived employability (R 2  = 0.453) and work readiness (R 2  = 0.440). However, examining the demographic profile variables did not substantially influence these outcomes in the hierarchical regression model. This research underscores the critical role of remote learning in shaping career readiness and challenges educators and policymakers to rethink strategies for integrating it into the broader educational framework, offering a lens to understand its long-term impacts on higher education outcomes.

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Please review each statement below and assess your perception by rating your level of agreement. Use the following scale for your response: 1 = Strongly Agree, 2 = Agree, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Disagree, 5 = Strongly Disagree.

1.1 Forced shift to remote learning

FSRL1: I used effective strategies to cope with the challenges of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which supported my academic success and well-being (Lemay et al., 2021 ).

FSRL2: The sudden shift to remote learning due to COVID-19 did not significantly challenge my academic performance and engagement (Al-Karaki et al., 2021 ).

FSRL3: The quality of my remote learning experiences during COVID-19 varied depending on the discipline or academic subject I was enrolled in (Bilgiç, 2021 ).

FSRL4: The strategies or interventions implemented by my educational institution to support remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic effectively promoted my academic success and well-being (Aguilera-Hermida, 2020 ).

FSRL5: The FSRL during COVID-19 has significantly impacted my employability and work readiness as a graduating college student (Rotas & Cahapay, 2020 ).

FSRL6: The social and emotional impacts of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as isolation and mental health issues, significantly affected my well-being as a college student (Marler et al., 2021 ).

FSRL7: My individual needs were met through remote learning (Parker et al., 2021 ).

FSRL8: I actively engaged in small classes (Parker et al., 2021 ).

FSRL9: I collaborated with classmates to complete individually assigned remote coursework (Parker et al., 2021 ).

FSRL10: My internet access was adequate for remote learning (Parker et al., 2021 ).

1.2 Perceived employability

EMP1: I achieved high grades in my studies (Rothwell & Arnold, 2007 ; Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP2: Employers were eager to employ graduates from my college (Bennett & Ananthram, 2022 ; Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP3: The status of my college was a significant asset to me in job seeking (Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP4: Employers specifically target this college to recruit individuals from my subject area(s) (Bennett & Ananthram, 2022 ; Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP5: My college has an outstanding reputation in my field(s) of study (Bennett & Ananthram, 2022 ; Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP6: A lot more people applied for my degree than there were places available (Gunawan et al., 2019 ; Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP7: My chosen course was ranked highly in terms of social status (Rothwell et al., 2008 ; Tentama & Abdillah, 2019 ).

EMP8: People in the career I aim for were in high demand in the external labor market (Rothwell et al., 2008 ; Gunawan et al., 2019 ).

EMP9: My degree leads to a career generally perceived as highly desirable (Rothwell et al., 2008 ; Tentama & Anindita, 2020 ).

EMP10: There is generally a strong demand for graduates at present (Rothwell et al., 2008 ; Tentama & Anindita, 2020 ).

EMP11: There were plenty of job vacancies in the geographical area where I am looking. (Rothwell et al., 2008 ; Tentama & Abdillah, 2019 )

EMP12: I can easily find out about opportunities in my chosen field (Bennett & Ananthram, 2022 ; Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP13: The skills and abilities that I possess are what employers are looking for (Bennett & Ananthram, 2022 ; Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP14: I am generally confident of success in job interviews and selection events (Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

EMP15: I could get any job if my skills and experience were reasonably relevant (Chen et al., 2023 ; Rothwell et al., 2008 ).

1.3 Perceived work readiness

WKR1: I can effectively seek work relevant to my studies (Caballero et al., 2011 ; Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ).

WKR2: I can present myself effectively in selection interviews (Caballero et al., 2011 ; Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ).

WKR3: I can evaluate how well my skills and performances fit different employment opportunities (Caballero et al., 2011 ; Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ).

WKR4: I am confident to start a job in my field and be immediately effective as a worker/new professional (Caballero et al., 2011 ; Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ).

WKR5: I am confident that I have overall work readiness confidence (Caballero et al., 2011 ; Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ).

WKR6: I can learn from and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds or viewpoints (Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ; Sultoni et al., 2022 ).

WKR7: I can listen empathetically, sympathetically, and compassionately to colleagues in the workplace (Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ; Sultoni et al., 2022 ).

WKR8: I am confident that I can identify the value of continuing to learn to improve work or professional practice (Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ; Sultoni et al., 2022 ).

WKR9: I can identify the skills I lack/need to improve to be effective in the workplace (Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ; Sultoni et al., 2022 ).

WKR10: I can judge the applicability of knowledge gained in my studies to the workplace (Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ; Irwansyah et al., 2020 ).

WKR11: I can cope with the stress caused by work (Irwansyah et al., 2020 ).

WKR12: I can apply technology that results in a tool that will aid in solving a problem in my discipline (Sultoni et al., 2022 ).

WKR13: I am confident that I can manage multidisciplinary projects (Caballero et al., 2011 ).

WKR14: I have a work ethic (Caballero et al., 2011 ).

WKR15: I can work with a schedule (Caballero et al., 2011 ).

WKR16: I can work with a team or independently (Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ).

WKR17: I understand technology and other resources have limitations (Fraser & Reddan, 2016 ).

WKR18: I can use computer software relevant to my field of discipline (Caballero et al., 2011 ).

WKR19: I can comprehend and write effective reports (Caballero et al., 2011 ).

WKR20: I can receive and give clear instructions and directions (Caballero et al., 2011 ).

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Lucero, C.R. Investigating the relationships among the forced shift to remote learning, employability and work readiness of recent college graduates. Educ Inf Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12672-5

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Balancing job and academics as a working student in the Philippines

May 18, 2018

By : Karl Nicole Nucum

Over the years, the concept of “work-study balance” has been an ongoing struggle for working students . While there can be a number of factors involved, financial crisis is still the primary reason why students take part-time (or full-time) jobs. Running from school to work and juggling academic requirements and side-hustles while keeping your family, social, or love life in check is a truly daunting task.

Here are some ways on how you can emerge victorious at work and in school:

Look for feasible work-study options

Try to look for work opportunities inside your campus. Aside from scholarships, some schools offer financial aids to students by working as a student assistant (SA) in your school’s different departments and faculty. Some benefits of being an SA can include free or discounted tuition fees or school allowances. It also provides you with more time for your academics since you won’t have to travel between classes or shifts .

Keep in mind that most SA programs require certain grade retentions, so you’ve really got to aim high! Working for a company, on the other hand, can provide higher salary, but the demands and stress levels are also higher. Before you go in and sign your contract, it is important to communicate clearly to your employer the flexibility of your schedule. Do they offer work from home options? Are you entitled to leaves? Does your work require overtime? Make sure to know or ask about these things so you can properly adjust and avoid future hassles.

Another option you can also consider is the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) offered by local government units in the country. SPES provides summer job opportunities for students so it doesn’t have to interfere with your regular classes.

Be realistic in planning your schedule

It is important to understand that with so many things on your plate, you do not have the time for everything. Staying true to your goal is the first step in identifying priorities. Find ways on how you can fit your work schedule to your daily classes –but never the other way around! Set a flexible work-study calendar by considering the travel time, exam schedules, extracurricular activities , and other engagements. Make some allowances in case your boss suddenly requires you to extend an hour on your shift or you have to rush a due school project.

Eisenhower Decision Matrix

One effective method of prioritizing things is the use of Eisenhower Decision Matrix which distinguishes daily tasks as important (activities that lead to achieving your goals) and urgent (activities that require immediate attention).

The matrix uses a quadrant where the 1st is labeled as Important and Urgent (things that you have to do immediately and helps you achieve your goals);

2nd as Important but Not Urgent (things that are essential to you but you can schedule);

3rd Not Important but Urgent (things that other people commonly request from you which you can reschedule or delegate);

and the 4th quadrant is Not Important and Not Urgent (things that you need to completely have to get rid of your system).

Work hard, but most importantly, work smart

Working hard can get you where you want to be, but working smart will take you further. Find ways to accomplish a certain task on time so that you won’t have to spend extra hours finishing one. While it may seem impressive to do a lot of things all at the same time, the reality is that multi-tasking has a bad countereffect on your productivity.

A research from Stanford University reveals that multi-taskers are found to be less productive than people who prefer to do one thing at a single time. This is because multitasking prevents you from organizing your thought, and filtering unnecessary information. Using the prioritizing techniques provided above, you can manage your daily work-study activities efficiently.

Communicate your struggles

As you face the burdens of working while studying, it is important to communicate your situation to your professors, employers, and parents. Doing so will not only help you plot your schedule properly but also it can help other people know what you’re up to and help them manage their own expectations from you. When everything feels quite overwhelming, just remember that you are not alone. You can always find support and encouragement from your loved ones, mentors , and friends who are all rooting for you to succeed!

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Karl has been in the writing industry for more than five years now. She finished Bachelor of Arts in English Major in Broadcast Journalism. Aside from happily doing household chores, her most productive spare time includes reading tech articles and learning more about digital marketing.

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Challenges Encountered By Working Students that Affect their Academic Performance

• Andrea Faye Coral
• Erica Dawn Atillo
• John Jericho Baldoviso
• Ruel Binigay Jr.
• Jesserel Bugtong
• Geovannie Bernales Jr.

A working student is a person who works and goes to school as a student at the same time. Being a working student needs considerable effort not only in his work but also in his studies. Being a working student is extremely hard because they need to give 100% of their attention when they are in school and give 100% of their strength when they work. This research used quantitative research and descriptive method to describe the characteristics of a population being studied. Survey questionnaires were administered to 50Grade 12 Performing Arts students who were chosen through purposive sampling. The survey questionnaire was constructed to determine the challenges encountered by the working students that affect their academic performance. The result of the study showed that in terms of working students, the weighted mean of the respondents was 3.7, which strongly agreed that the financial aspect is the major challenge encountered by working students that affect their academic performance. Meanwhile, the weighted means of the respondents was 3.1, which agreed that time management is a minor challenge encountered by working students that affect their academic performance. The weighted mean of the respondents was 3.25, which agreed that priorities are also a minor challenge encountered by working students that affects their academic performance. The researchers recommended the following in terms of time management. If you are a working student, then you should know how to manage your time. A working student should know how to spend his or her time equally between study and work., plan everything, and do plan strategies. In terms of priorities, there will be a moment that working students have to choose between work and school; working students should know what is more important to prioritize; even if you are tired, you have to push yourself and be determined regarding the things that you need to do. One should prioritize their goal to achieve their dreams. In terms of the financial aspect, working students should save more for future expenses, use their money on things that they need and not on things that they want, know how to budget their money, practice effective strategies to save money.

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Home ⇛ convergence multidisciplinary student journal ⇛ vol. 1 no. 1 (2015), working scholars: life as a worker and an academic performer.

Melody Escabusa Villahermosa | Wahlenlou Caneda Oba-o | Jemimah Bagabaldo

This article discusses the likely reasons for the poor academic performance of student assistants (SAs). It is typical nowadays for students to work while studying to pursue their dreams in life. Expenses for college education` are never cheaper as generation passes by. Some families can afford tuition fees; however, most of the families cannot afford to send their children to pursue a college degree. Hence, one of the best ways to earn a degree and to fulfill dreams is to work while studying. Some of the working students are employed in the fast food chain as service crew. Some, especially those with capital, invest in small businesses. Some serve as student assistants in colleges and universities, and this is a common strategy.

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Sun Times Philippines

Working Students in the Philippines: The Life and Challenges They Have

Education in the Philippines doesn’t only require excellence in academic aspects but also endurance from all sorts of problems while studying like emotional problems, social problems, and the most common problem is money. Underprivileged students need to overcome not only their academic requirements but also to hurdle the financial aspect which is why many have opted to become working students.

According to the 2022 survey of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), about 216,000 students in the country from graduating senior high school to college are still juggling school and work. These students are not only striving in their studies but also in their work to gain money to support their selves financially.

Filipino Working Students

The problem was dated years back to the beginning of education in the Philippines from the Spaniard Colonization ‘till this present generation. According to the Working Student (2016), to set down the job options of Filipino working students namely online jobs, paid corporate internships, fast-food crews, and salesman and sales lady just to cope up with their work and studies. These Filipino working students face the struggle of meeting the standards of their work while studying so that they will not lose their jobs.

This causes the working students to face a great problem with their time management. In the study conducted by Lederman (2009) working students mostly work at night and study at day. This daily routine causes the working students to feel stressed and lack in rest and family time.

In the study of Travail (2012), he asserts that the well-being and academic achievement of students can be affected by part-time jobs. He also adds that the effect of part-time jobs on working students is depending on the nature of the job and the number of working hours the student engages physically and mentally.

Academic Performance

In his study, he concluded that working students who work at night are the ones who were negatively affected by their jobs in terms of their academic performance, and it is because of the lack of sleep and rest these working students have. While on the other hand, students who work on weekdays were not negatively affected by their part-time jobs in terms of their academic performance.

Studies conducted about the life and challenges of working students show very alarming information. As poverty rises today many students are suffering from their studies financially. Some, in order to continue their studies they unintentionally destroy both their mental and physical aspect by doing excessive things at the same time. Parents who can’t support their students financially must at least know how to show emotional support to their children who are working students. Suicide reports that students who commit suicide are most likely to suffer from a lack of emotional support from their families.

Let’s always remember that the most important thing that a pressured and stressed person needs is an individual that they can lean on and families must be the important person to do such thing.

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Benjie P. Autida

Benjie P. Autida Teacher III, Tungawan National High School [email protected]

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'Step Up sa Pangarap' – Introducing a movement for working students in the country 

Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC), together with IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and McDonald’s, has launched Step Up sa Pangarap – a pioneering movement that brings together the academe and industries to celebrate, support, and empower working students across the country.

Formally unveiled at a media event held at 205 Coffee and Cocktails in Bonifacio Global City on February 16, 2023, Step Up sa Pangarap kicks off with a series of stories of working students to inspire the community. 

The main highlight of the campaign will gather working students from across the country for a three-day virtual summit to be held on May 10-12, 2023. Featuring a roster of speakers composed of industry leaders, influencers, and former working students who found success in their respective careers, the event will empower the working student community on how to achieve their goals and provide them with access to coaches and mentors who can help further prepare attendees for the real world.

The online summit will particularly discuss three key areas where our working students can be successful:

·   Step Up sa Career – A deep discussion on the skills to acquire and steps to be taken towards further career development

·   Step Up sa Buhay – A comprehensive talk that tackles the importance of work-school-life balance and how to achieve it

·   Step Up sa Pera – An in-depth session that covers all the bases of how individuals can stay on top of their finances and make smart investments towards their future

Watch out for the full lineup of inspiring and noteworthy speakers. 

Following the summit, the movement challenges working students on how they can best apply their learnings. Participants will be encouraged to join the “Step Up sa Tagumpay” Awards by submitting entries on how they plan to apply their learnings from the virtual summit and“Step Up” in their careers, lives, and finances. The most compelling stories stand to win MMDC scholarships and other awards at the awards night to be held online on May 25, 2023.

The Challenges of Today’s Working Students  

According to a report from the World Economic Forum, data analytics, information security, software development, and business development are among the top industries where the demand for professionals will grow significantly by 2025. While these statistics are indicative of emerging workforce trends brought on by rapid digitalization across the world, many real-world challenges stand in the way of today’s learners hoping to begin or advance their careers. Skills gaps exist between industry needs and the technical skills that graduates have, and in the case of non-graduate undergrad employees, options for career advancement remain limited due to the lack of a college diploma.

In a survey conducted by MMDC through TheNerve on what students looked for in a college, career opportunities emerged as the top reason for potential returnees to enroll. While many working adults may express the desire to finish their college education, factors such as the inability to balance work, personal life, and school, the lack of time to commute to a physical campus, and the availability of funding prevent them from doing so.

“At McDonald’s, we are committed in fostering a working environment where everyone is supported, empowered, and enabled to reach their full potential. It starts with job security. As a company with close to 50,000 employees, and the first QSR that has practiced direct hiring (no contractualization) since we began operations in 1981, we have seen how this, together with development opportunities like the Step Up sa Pangarap Program , allows our crew to grow and develop to become future leaders. At McDonald’s, we believe that providing the best employee experience results in a better experience for all.” says McDonald’s Philippines Corporate Relations Director Adi Hernandez.

A Better College Experience for Future Working Students 

For many Filipino working adults, getting a chance to finish a college degree to become more competitive in the workplace might seem like a goal that’s out of reach. With so many responsibilities to juggle and so little time to spare between them, going to a physical campus to sit in class and devoting the energy to study seems almost close to impossible.

Recognizing these and other considerations of working students, as well as the growing opportunities in today’s in-demand industries, MMDC leads the celebration of our working students across the country. Together with IBPAP and its employer partners, MMDC is rallying a community of employers and industry associations to ensure that working students become successful in the fields of Business Administration and Information Technology. 

“The Philippines is a global leader in IT-BPM services for a reason—the Filipino talent,” said Celeste Ilagan, IBPAP Chief Policy & Regulatory Affairs Officer. “In turn, the sector has become one of their biggest champions and through the years, we’ve worked with the government and the academe to ensure that they are provided every opportunity to develop their skills and remain competitive. With our goal to grow Philippine IT-BPM into a US$59 billion industry with 2.5 million full-time employees (FTEs), the plan is to further accelerate our efforts in talent development through more initiatives like Step Up sa Pangarap and stronger collaborations with partners like MMDC.”

Grounded on the Mapúan brand of academic excellence, MMDC’s innovative Projects, Problems, and Cases educational model and digital-first approach to learning are designed for flexibility. This model also equips students with real-world experience as well as the technical and soft skills needed in the workforce. All these at a very affordable and competitive price to ensure that the majority of the working students will have access to this relevant and effective learning experience. 

“Returning students need to understand, just getting a degree may not help you.  Writing a paper about theories from 50 years ago isn't going to open new career opportunities.  Instead, getting a degree that delivers competencies in demand today and tomorrow will unlock opportunities to further one’s career. As an outcomes based and digital-first college, the MMDC educational model was designed to be flexible and accessible to address the factors keeping potential working students from coming back to school, said Derrick Latreille, Chief Learning Officer of MMDC and Co-founder of Ayala Education. “Since we opened our doors, almost 60% of our learners are currently working students. Through this campaign, we aim to empower more potential returnees across the country to pursue a college degree that will make a difference in their career, at an institution that supports their needs."

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FACTORS AFFECTING THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE WORKING

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Most existing research indicates that working students perform more poorly than do full-time students on standardized achievement tests. However, we know there are wide international variations in this gap. This article shows that national and international contexts help to explain the gap in the academic performance between working and nonworking middle-school students. We combined data from the 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study eighth-grade assessment with the countryspecific information on socioeconomic and educational conditions, as well as the timing of each country’s ratification of an international treaty regulating child labor. Our multilevel analyses show that, while student employment is generally negatively associated with academic performance, this negative association is smaller in countries that by 1995 had ratified the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 138 on child labor. These findings highlight the role of national and international policy in structuring the consequences of student employment for academic performance.

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Former University of Southern Mindanao professor apologizes for plagiarizing her student’s thesis

By Yoniel Acebuche Published May 08, 2024 12:46 am

It's hard to imagine having someone claim your research work as their own—even more so if that someone is your adviser.

That's what happened to an AB English graduate named Jemima Atok, whose adviser Riceli Mendoza—former professor at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM)—issued a public apology on social media for plagiarizing her thesis. It's been making the rounds online since it was posted on the USM Department of English Language and Literature's Facebook page on Monday, May 6.

In the viral letter, she said sorry to Atok for the "emotional pain" she caused her and her family.

"I am very sorry to publish your thesis in my name. I am truly sorry that I failed to recognize you as the author and the owner of the published paper/article. Instead, I claimed it as my own," she wrote. "I honestly acknowledge my fault and rest assured that this may never happen again in the history of academic endeavor. I earnestly implore your forgiveness. Please accept my sincere apology, Jemima and family."

How the incident happened remains unclear, though it's evident in the scanned document that Mendoza is no longer part of the USM faculty.

What is plagiarism?

Citing Black's Law Dictionary, the Supreme Court defines plagiarism as the "deliberate and knowing presentation of another person's original ideas or creative expressions as one's own." 

Among the most common types of plagiarism, according to research platform Research Square , are direct plagiarism with and without citation, self-plagiarism, single and multiple source plagiarism, blended plagiarism, wholesale or partial plagiarism of ideas, unoriginal work as plagiarism, incidental plagiarism, and accidental plagiarism.

Thesis work as intellectual property

Chapter 10, Section 193 of the Republic Act No. 8293 , known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, discusses the right "to require the authorship of the works be attributed to him, in particular, the right that his name, as far as practicable, be indicated in a prominent way on the copies, and in connection with the public use of his work."

In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe , intellectual property lawyer Daniel Fordan said the law clearly provides that the author's name should be prominently mentioned when his or her work is used publicly.

"Thesis advisers should know that their advisee's works are not theirs. Should they wish to publish it, the most that they can be is a co-author subject to the rules of the institution in which the same would be published. In any case, it cannot be published without the consent of the advisee," Fordan noted.

"Nothing prevents students, of course, from indicating their adviser's name in the publication as an adviser. But if they want to make them co-authors, there may be certain requirements that they would need to comply with. Otherwise, there may be academic dishonesty again for misattribution," he added.

What can you do when someone claims your research work as their own?

When someone steals your research work, Atty. Susan Villanueva, an IP lawyer and professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, advised filing a complaint with the university so that the professor can be sanctioned in accordance with their policy on plagiarism of the university."

Atty. Emerson Cuyo, the IPOPhl's Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights director, said whenever someone exercises any of your economic or moral rights as copyright owner, the law provides remedies for copyright infringement.

"We often advise that they first write a demand letter letting the 'infringer' know of your demands. Should the first demand fail, we suggest another demand this time coming from your legal counsel," he said.

If nothing happens, Villanueva and Cuyo suggested pursuing legal action. "The author can file administrative (with the Bureau of Legal Affairs of the Intellectual Property Office), civil (with prayer for injunction and damages), or criminal cases against the infringer," said Villanueva. "It's up to the copyright owner which remedy she thinks is appropriate."

TAGS: research plagiarism Thesis intellectual property copyright infringement

Yoniel Acebuche

Yoniel Acebuche is a journalist by profession and a beauty queen by passion. She has constantly joined beauty pageants in different cities and fiestas across the Philippines ever since she was 15. Writing and pageantry are her empowering ways to connect to other people as well as to understand herself.