The Employability of Accounting Technology Graduates of the University of the Immaculate Conception Davao City Philippines

Abstract

Academic institutions must track their graduates to establish their employment status and identify areas for improvement. As a result, this study among accounting technology graduates from the University of the Immaculate Conception was done to determine their profile, labor market information, job-related competencies, level of satisfaction at UIC, and insights into the elements that contribute to their employability. This is a descriptive study that made use of a survey and a focus group discussion (FGD). The research was carried out in Davao City and focused on the city's various industries. It covered 95 graduates from the academic years (AY) 2013–2014 to 2018–2019, 89 in the survey, and six in the FGD. The quantitative data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and the mean. In addition, some qualitative data was embedded into the discussion to help triangulate the quantitative findings, and the insights into their employability were thematized. Most survey respondents are females who are single and graduated in the AY 2017–2018. Almost half of the survey participants are already regular employees, and more than a third are managers or supervisors. Communication skills are the most important and beneficial in their first employment followed by human relations, entrepreneurial abilities, critical thinking, and IT skills. Some qualitative participants believe that entrepreneurial skills, along with adaptability, flexibility, and dependability, were valuable in their first job. The participants are highly employable considering that the majority obtained their first job within one to six months, while more than 40% were hired within a month of applying. The top five industries where they are employed include retail, government agencies/LGUs, banking, BPO, and agribusiness. The employment they got is aligned with their college preparation. The participants found the UIC administration, ABA program, faculty, school facilities, and student services very satisfactory. The qualitative participants appreciate the responsiveness of the administration to the concerns of the students vis-à-vis its mission of providing quality education. Professional competence and good grades, on-the-job training, UIC graduates’ satisfactory job performance, and Christian values are among the elements they believe have greatly helped their job search. Some participants value the Catholic education they received at the university.