Abstract
Many senior high school graduates are struggling to land a job relevant to their area of specialization, which contradicts the promise of the K-12 curriculum. DepEd ORDER (2019) states that K–12 graduates should be equipped with the requisite skills right away to enable them to handle challenges and take advantage of possibilities presented by the 21st century. However, minimal attention was given to this phenomenon which is ironic because this should be given close attention as this has become rampant among Filipino senior high school graduates. In fact, according to Padios et al. (2021), more than half of the K-12 completers claimed that their jobs are not in line with the strand that they took when they were in school. In this study, the lived experiences of the chosen senior high school graduates as they applied for a job will be given a clear focus. This study utilizes the Phenomenology method, which is a systematic approach that enables us to be well-acquainted with the engagement of the samples in a phenomenon in a realistic way. A face-to-face interview with the participants was conducted following the standard protocols set by the barangay. The research subjects in this probe were chosen using a purposive sampling technique, which is the most suitable sampling technique allowing us to choose the subjects that meet the standards being set. A Modified Van Kaam Technique-based Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), made popular by Moustakas, was used in this investigation. The accuracy of this study was founded and strengthened through time bracketing done by the researchers. Furthermore, to ensure validity and reliability, the probable responses of the participants were already foreseen. The researchers yield the following themes: Theme 1: Disconnecting Lines, Theme 2: Debugging Negativities, and Theme 3: Directing to Possibilities. In conclusion, the K-12 curriculum contributed to the struggles faced by senior high school graduates, especially in looking for a job that is related to their strand. They are often discriminated against, stereotyped, and offered very limited job opportunities. Thus, this study recommends more research and a thorough reassessment of the K-12 curriculum to tackle the problems senior high school graduates encountered.
