STEM Field Interests Among Students

Students are at their best when they are passionate about what they are doing
(Malaguial, et al., 2022). This means that students’ personal interests play a significant
role in selecting their senior high school strand. Laut, Bartolini, and Porfiri (2015) claim
that after participating in the program, students are more interested in pursuing STEM
careers and have a better understanding of the relationship. Students must have a high
level of interest, skills, and a desire for challenges in order to study STEM subjects
(Wang & Degol, 2017, Linnansaari et al., 2015). According to Rafanan, De Guzman, and
Rogayan(2020), the majority of study participants are interested in science-related
disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space sciences.
Furthermore, students’ beliefs that success in science is dependent on exceptional talent
can have a negative impact on their motivation to learn, as well as a lack of enjoyment
and confidence ( Wu, Deshler, & Fuller, 2018; Lin-Siegler, Ahn, Chen, Fang, & Luna-
Lucero, 2016). Students who have a higher level of mathematics self-efficacy and STEM
career knowledge are more likely to pursue a STEM career (Kaleva et al., 2019;
Blotnicky et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2013). However, without adequate encouragement or
knowledge about the educational and career opportunities that STEM skills improve,
students may dismiss a STEM-based career path as a possible future option (Blotnicky et
al. 2018).

Family Influence

Parents have a significant impact on how their children develop their careers and
make career decisions. Parents want the best for their children in life, and one thing that
affects happiness and success is career choice. Study has also shown that students are
more confident in their own capacity to choose a career that would be engaging and
exciting when they feel loved and encouraged by their parents. This is significant because
research indicates that young people who feel capable of making career decisions later in
life likely to do so (Xing & Rojewski, 2018; Keller, 2004). Also, aspects of one’s family
background can be influential in career decision making. In several study for college
students, researchers have found out that parents are the most influential career role
models for students. Mothers in particular seem to exert greater influence during their
children’s high school years and fathers seem influential in college aged children’s
decision making (Gavo 2014; Sear and Gordon 2002). Likewise, environment are
essential for evolving abilities to heights close to capacity heights and if teenagers are
raised in a home with a healthy environment and that parents live in harmony and are
caring and helpful to their children, a child is therefore destined to take orders from his
parents. Hence their career choice aspiration is influenced by their parent’s occupational
status (Jahoda 2016; Herbart 2006).

Finlayson (2009) also mentioned that Respect for family is one of the most
influential factors that impact Filipino students’ career decision. It is concurred that “Out
of respect and loyalty, it may not be appropriate to express personal desires; rather, one
may alter one’s interests to maintain harmony.” As a sign of respect, Filipino children
want to do well for the sake of the family, follow parents’ advice about choosing a job or
major in college and lastly, make sacrifices. As stated by (Saysay, 2011) for the family
for practicality reasons, it is also reported that parents usually encourage careers that will
not cost much money, but at the same time, are stable sources of income. Careers in
nursing, accounting, and engineering are highly popular for Filipino families.

Family Income

Family income appears to be an issue when one chooses a career. Education is regarded
by many as an investment and requires financial resources. Greenbank and (Royo &
Lamela, 2021; Hepworth, 2008) investigated the career decision making of students from
working class. Family income was also identified as highly influential factor in students'
choice of track. Kusumawati (2013) also noted that students gave much consideration on
the cost and affordability of the course by considering their socio economic factor before
making a career choice. Thus, the lack of financial capability can have a negative impact
in the educational choices of students. When they know their family has no financial
capacity to support the track they want to pursue, they will likely to enroll in in a track
they are not personally interested. Lack of financial resources can also result to limited
career options.
Influence of External Factors Career Track Choice

External factors, such as the availability of scholarships, the school’s proximity to

the residence, the popularity of the school, and the popularity of the track/strand, were
considered by a student when choosing a strand/track (Nazereno et al, 2020). Similarly,
Kitsawad (2013) discovered that students tend to select a school that is conveniently
located and requires few financial resources.

Furthermore, students choose their profession based on the high demand for the
specific course or program in society ( Manea and Malbas, 2019). As a result of the
current time, students choose the career that best suits them and requires most of their
time. This due to their increasing awareness that the unemployment rating the country has
increased, which gives them the confidence to seize the opportunity.

Gender Distribution

Gender differences in students' interest in various fields of study, according to

Kaleva et al(2019), were especially significant. As claimed by Wang, et al. (2013),
compared to men, women may have a greater range of employment options in both
STEM and non-STEM professions as a result of the pattern of gender disparities. Due to
the gender differences in linguistic and mathematical aptitude, women may have more
employment alternatives than males in both STEM and non-STEM fields. Furthermore,
female students are more likely to have better verbal skills than male students.

In addition, female students are more likely to pursue STEM careers due to
gender barriers that male students do not face (Wang and Degol, 2013). Female students
explained that they felt compelled to pursue STEM education because it is a male-
dominated field in order to change the status quo and gender stereotypes associated with
STEM education. However, in the current study, the male students indicated that gender
had not influenced their decision to pursue a career in STEM, but rather their passion for
STEM. Wang and Degol (2016) demonstrate that gender stereotypes and biases have
influenced students’ motivation to pursue STEM education, particularly among female
students.

According to Wang and Degol (2016), in lowering the gender gap in STEM, the
focus should be paid to the contributing social, psychological, and cognitive factors
aspects, especially by increasing the number of career solutions that women believe are
attainable and compatible with their skills, preferences, and objectives.

Work Opportunities

For any career one want to pursue, there are several opportunities here. Some
people may be fortunate enough to discover greater employment opportunities as a result
of the strategies and techniques they employ. It is certainly worth the time to look into
job prospects, as mentioned by (Mind Tools, 2014). One can do this to find chances that
are perfectly matched to his or her interests or skills, learn about promotions and job
vacancies before anybody else, and figure out how to increase the knowledge and skills
required for that vocation. The earning potential of the chosen job is likely to be a factor
influencing the career choice, Ambong (2017) emphasized. One area of a student’s
profession can prove to be more financially rewarding than another, or moving up the
corporate ladder may prove to be a better financial decision than sticking with one
position. Their financial demands may also have an impact on the careers they choose.
Academic settings, technical schools, entry-level positions, work shadowing, career
counseling, job placement, and industry are examples of places where one could find
professional opportunities.

Synthesis of Related Literature and Studies

The literature and studies cited in this chapter tackle the different concepts,
understanding, ideas, generalizations or conclusions, and different development related to
study of the enrollment from the past up to the present and which serves as the
researcher's guide in developing the project. Those that were also included in this chapter
help in familiarizing information that is relevant and similar to the present study.

STEM is one of the strands that the K12 program introduces. Due to factors
including their field interest, family influence, family income, the influence of external
factors on career track choice, gender distribution, and job opportunities impacting their
decision to choose a strand. To great understand, students’ interests play a significant role
in selecting their senior high school strand. Students must have a high level of interest,
skills, and a desire for challenges to study STEM subjects. In addition, students are more
confident in their capacity to choose a career that would be engaging and exciting when
they feel loved and encouraged by their parents. Moreover, students' limited financial
capacity will have an impact on their commitment to learning, which will affect their
choosing their strand. Additionally, students choose the career that best suits them and
requires most of their time. External factors such as the availability of scholarships and
financial resources were considered by a student when choosing a strand/strand.
Furthermore, with gender differences in students' interest in various fields of study,
female students are more likely to pursue STEM careers due to gender barriers that male
students do not face. Gender stereotypes and biases have influenced students' motivation
to pursue STEM education.

it's important to consider the environment, which includes learning opportunities,

social influences, and media. To increase student interest in STEM education and careers,
it is important to consider these factors when planning STEM events. This will affect
students' commitment to learning, which will affect their academic performance.
Additionally, students' limited financial means will have an impact on their commitment
to learning, which will have an effect on choosing their strand. Additionally, institutional
support from the academic community and/or departments, together with a shared
institutional vision, can aid in overcoming these obstacles.
Conceptual Frameworks

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Socio-demographic profile in terms of: Profile and factors

 Age  Survey questioners influence/affects one’s career
 Sex
 Online and Face to Face choice are determined.
 Economic Profile
Distribution
Factors influence/affects one’s career
 Collection of Data
choice:
 Statistical Analysis of
 Parental Influence;
Data
 Family Influence;
 School Influence;
 Gender Influence;

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework of the Study

The conceptual frameworks above outline the key elements of this study, the data
the researcher is seeking, the methods for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting the data,
as well as the study goal and desired outcomes. By gathering information on the socio-
demographic profile of the incoming Senior High School students in terms of age, sex,
and economic profile, the researcher expects to determine the factors that influence the
decision of incoming students to take their strand in Juan Basangan National High School
through the use of the Input- Process- Output (IPO) model. Additionally, it will be
determined which factors, such as parental influence, family influences, school influence,
and gender influence, affect a person's decision regarding their career. The researcher will
collect these data using a survey questionnaire and online distribution. After gathering the
data, the researcher will analyze and interpret it using Microsoft Excel to calculate the
percentage, weighted mean, and standard deviation. A conclusion and suggestion will be
made after a statistical analysis of the outcome. The findings and recommendations of
this study are expected to have a significant impact on how incoming senior high school
students choose and complete their preferred and desired strands.