Career Awareness and Workforce Preparedness of Marketing Management Graduating Students

The transition from higher education to professional employment remains a critical challenge for business graduates, particularly in aligning academic preparation with labor market demands. This study examined the level of career awareness and workforce preparedness of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) major in Marketing Management graduating students at the Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST). Employing a descriptive-correlational quantitative research design, data were collected from 120 graduating students using a validated, researcher-developed questionnaire that measured career awareness and workforce preparedness across multiple dimensions. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product–Moment Correlation were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that students demonstrated a neutral to high level of career awareness, particularly in industry trends, career options, and academic preparation. In contrast, awareness of required skills, information sources, and mentorship remained moderate. Workforce preparedness was rated high in terms of self-perceived skills and job search readiness, but only neutral in practical exposure, workplace expectations, and access to career guidance. Correlation results indicated a very strong positive relationship between career awareness and workforce preparedness, highlighting that a greater understanding of career pathways and skill requirements significantly enhances students' readiness for employment. The study concludes that strengthening experiential learning, industry collaboration, and structured career guidance programs is essential in bridging the gap between academic instruction and workforce expectations. A Career Intervention Plan is recommended to enhance graduate employability and professional readiness further.