Abstract
The study focused on the self-concept and career interests of 260 Grade 9 students at San Roque National High School during the 1st Quarter of the 2023-2024 school year. The respondents' demographic details included age, sex, sibling position, parents' educational attainment, and monthly family income. The self-concept was assessed across various dimensions, while career interests encompassed academic, technical vocational, sports, and arts tracks. Descriptive research methods, including a questionnaire checklist, provided insights into students' self-concept and career interests. Findings indicated that most students were aged 14 or 15, predominantly female, and often from families with monthly incomes of 10,000 pesos or below. Parental educational backgrounds varied, with implications for students' self-concept across different dimensions. Additionally, students preferred arts and sports tracks in their career interests. Significant differences were noted in perceived self-concept across various demographic and socio-economic factors, including family income, sex, and parental educational attainment. Similar distinctions were observed in career interests, particularly regarding arts, academic track, and technical-vocational-livelihood options. Correlations between self-concept and career interests were identified, highlighting the importance of perceived self-concept in shaping career aspirations. Based on the findings, recommendations include enhancing students' exposure to real-world career activities aligned with their interests, providing guidance and career assessment tests to aid in decision-making, and implementing a Career Orientation Program to foster students' career interests effectively. Further studies incorporating additional variables are suggested to enrich understanding in this area.
