Factors Influencing the Senior High School Students’ Track Choice: A Convergent Parallel Approach

The essential point for any student is deciding what course to choose. Unemployment and underemployment may occur from a career mismatch. As a result, this study investigated the experiences of senior high school students while deciding on a career path. A mixed-method research design was used where 186 respondents were surveyed in the quantitative phase and 14 participants for the qualitative phase. The study revealed that students' track choice indicators were at an agree level with an interpretation of oftentimes manifested. Merging quantitative and qualitative data revealed a confirmation for the theme peer influence; expansion for the limited track offerings, uncertain track choice, and financial issues; and discordance for the themes, Decision-making, and Interest, Consideration about the institution, and future job opportunities. Hence, this study calls upon educators and parents to guide students in choosing their track and for administrators to equip schools to be responsive to students' track choices.