Abstract
This study aimed to determine the factors affecting high school track preferences of grade 10 students: a basis for career guidance plan. This study was utilized descriptive method of research to determine the factors, and figure out if the dependent variables were related to personality, family/relatives, interests and job opportunities influencing the track preferences of the respondents. The descriptive research used quantitative methods to assess the feedback from the respondents. A research- made survey scale/questionnaire was given to the respondents to determine the factors that affect career preferences/choices, of the respondents in terms of personality, family, interests and job opportunities, which would specialize in high school of the k-12 curriculum. Results of the study revealed that Grade 10 students in terms of age were still young and comprises of male and female, The parents of the students are high school levels/ graduates, majority of them having non-professional, Majority of the students belong to families with an average or middle-class family. Majority of the students would pursue a career in Engineering, followed by Social Science, management and other fields. In the area of Personality factors, fitting the personality to career is the leading factor. The same goes for awareness of the family support on the area of family factors, particular interest on the career among interest factors, and awareness of the opportunities surrounding the chosen career among the factors regarding job opportunities. The students are influenced by Personality, Interests and Job Opportunities factors in choosing their Track preference. Family/Relatives factors somewhat influence the students in choosing their Track preference. As a recommendation a career guidance program is to be developed, aiming at the student's self-awareness of their personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, among others. From that, the guidance counsellor can provide guidance towards orientation and choice of Track, a precursor towards pursuing chosen careers then career and Track course options are to be provided to the students as early as possible so that they will not be misled with information that they will acquire in choosing their future career. Also, Competency-based curriculum that responds to industry's needs is to be implemented so that students are guided in their career choice. And lastly Information seminar is to be developed so that the students may know essential information regarding careers, annual incomes, personal information awareness and the like.
