A Tracer Study of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology ( BSIT ) Graduates of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology ( NEUST ) , San Isidro Campus

It has been a practice of every higher educational institution to follow up on their graduates through tracer studies. This study generally aimed to trace the up–to–date status and employment of the BSIT graduates of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, San Isidro Campus for the Academic Year 2016–2017 and Academic Year 2017–2018. The descriptive method of research was used with a modified questionnaire as the major data-gathering instrument. There were 249 total graduates but only 219 of them responded to the study which involved 122 males and 97 females. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and ranking were used in this study. This study aimed to determine the general profile, educational background, professional examinations passed after college, employment profile, and reasons for unemployment of the unwaged respondents. Based on the tallied results, there is a high rate of employability with regular/permanent status among BSIT graduates. This means that the BSIT curriculum is aligned with the needs of the industry. The researchers have suggested an establishment of a partnership with the Civil Service Commission and other IT companies to assist the BSIT graduates in applying and passing eligibility for them to get the security of tenure and a higher salary. Keywords— Employment, graduates, information technology, tracer study.


INTRODUCTION
In the Philippines, holding a diploma is a huge achievement. It is considered the ultimate dream of every parent for their children. Acquiring that piece of paper reflects one of the parents' hidden desires to be recognized by others (Klein, 2014). It is deemed as a symbol of hard work being paid off. A diploma is more than just a piece of paper; it is the most valuable thing a graduate will receive during his graduation rites. That "simple piece of paper" is a badge and confirmation of a student's success and achievement (Fortich-Poblete, 2019).
The biggest challenge comes after receiving a college diploma; it is employment. Making the shift from university to post-graduation life is one of the most electrifying stages of life (Petersen, 2016). Most of the graduates frequently face difficulties when making the transition from student life to the career world. The workplace is ever-changing. At the current state, employers typically offer short-term contracts and project-based work, while applicants are more particular on job security, higher wages, and better work conditions (Ow, 2019).
Everyone has experienced the complexities in job searching, but it does not end there (Ponce, 2019). When hired, the challenge goes along during training, and the integration into the workforce of your new job arises. But as graduates of higher educational institutions, they must show the world that job-hunting is not a dilemma (Balingbing, 2014).
As there are fewer assurances about what career a college degree will lead to, employers want graduates who are better prepared for the workplace (Docherty, 2014). Studentgraduates are expected to earn a sense of expertise in their chosen field and must build confidence to discover newfound possibilities and brand-new employment especially nowadays that competition has become a daily breakfast (Mathed, 2008).
According to the Philippine Statistics Office (2019), the employment rate in April 2019 was estimated at 94.9 percent. The unemployment rate in April 2018 was 5.5 percent. Among the regions, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (9.0%), National Capital Region (6.3%), Ilocos Region (5.9%), and Bicol Region (5.8%) were the regions with the highest unemployment rates. Luckily, Region III where Nueva Ecija is located was not part of this highest unemployment rate.
From the aforementioned figures, it is evident that every university should conduct a tracer study to assess if the programs being offered are matched within the labor force and at the same time, to verify if the graduates are competent

III. METHODOLOGY
The researchers used the descriptive method of research. Descriptive research can be explained as a statement of affairs as they are at present with the researchers having no control over variables. Moreover, this type of study can be characterized as simply the attempt to determine, describe, or identify what is (Ethridge, 2004). In addition to that, descriptive research is directed at casting light on current issues or problems through a process of data collection that enables them to describe the situation more completely than was possible without employing this method (Fox and Bayat, 2007).
The respondents of the study were the eighty-one (81)  Suggestions for modifications and improvements were done and it was set for a dry run and got tested by selected BSIT students.
The researchers extract the data of BSIT graduates with personal information from the Registrar's Office of the campus.
After getting the list, the link https://tinyurl.com/bsit-tracer16-18 was disseminated to CICT NEUSTSIC closed group, graduates' email account, group chat, and messenger to gather data. Upon completion of the data gathering procedure, responses were tabulated to facilitate the analysis during the interpretation of data. The data gathered were tallied, analyzed, and interpreted. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and ranking were used in this study.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This part provides the presentation of data relevant to the objectives of the study. Corresponding analysis and interpretation regarding the presented data were discussed using the above-cited statistical tools. The distribution of the respondents per academic year is shown in the illustration above. It can be observed from the data above that majority of the respondents who answered the survey were from the graduates of A.Y. 2017-2018 which is 63.00% of the population and it is believed by the researchers that this figure is enough to represent the whole population and give a wellrounded employability results which can be used in the assessment of BSIT curriculum for future improvement and development.
The illustration above has shown the gender of graduate-respondents. It can be noted that majority of the respondents or 56.00% were male but it is also noticeable that the composition of the respondents is favorable as both sexes are sufficiently represented considering that the distribution is almost equal (Sagarino, Moreno, Juan, Langomez, Tagiobon, Palmes and Cabigas, 2017).
The illustration above has shown the civil status of the graduate-respondents. Notably, the majority of the respondents, or 97.00% were still single. The graduates are ruled by singles for the reason that most of them are still in the age bracket of 20 to 30 years old (Sagarino, Moreno, Juan, Langomez, Tagiobon, Palmes and Cabigas, 2017). Since most of the respondents are millennials, it is considered that the reason behind being single is they are focusing on their careers (Lusinski, 2018

Figure 1. Distribution of Respondents per Academic Year
Male 56% Female 44%

Figure 4. Present Location
The illustration above has shown the present location of the graduate-respondents. It is noteworthy that the majority of the respondents or 93.00% are currently staying in the country. It is revealed that there is a huge increase in IT opportunities in the country (McAuliffe, 2015). Results of an online survey showed that three out of four locally employed Filipinos would accept jobs in their home region rather than work in another part of the country (Uy, 2016).
The illustration above has shown the professional examinations passed by the graduate-respondents. A great number of graduates or 88.00% did not take or pass any professional examinations. It is advised by the university that graduates take professional examinations that may be used for securing employment in the government (Balingbing, 2014 The illustration above has shown the employment profile of the graduate-respondents. The majority of the graduates or 72.00% are currently employed. This implies that the majority of the graduates tried their very best to employ themselves after receiving their college diploma (Galila-Infante, Junco and Marquez, 2014).
The illustration above has shown the duration before the graduate-respondents got hired in their first job. The majority of the graduates or 45.00% had to wait 7 to 11 months before they finally get hired. Graduates took a long time before they landed on their first job. In this case, it can be inferred that the period of seeking a job depends also on the availability of vacancies and the industry (Aydinan, 2019).

Figure 6. Employment Profile
Less than a month 40% 7 to 11 months 45% 1 year to less than 2 years 11% 2 years to less than 3 years 4%

Figure 7. Duration to Land Their First Job
Casual 4% Temporary 11% Contractual 18% Selfemployed 5% Regular/perma nent 62% The illustration above has shown the status of employment of the graduate-respondents who are presently employed. The majority of the 157 employed graduates or 62.00% are currently in permanent/regular status. This denotes that majority of them are enjoying the regular status or full-time job (Laguador and Dotong, 2013).

Figure 8. Status of Employment
The illustration above has shown the present monthly salary of the graduate-respondents who are presently employed. The majority of the 157 employed graduates or 41.00% are receiving a monthly salary which is ranging from P 10,000.00 to P 15,000.00. These results imply that these employed-respondents are currently receiving a meager salary, compensation, and other privileges that cannot cover all their daily expenses. As quoted, "a family of five needed at least P 5,590.00 on the average every month to meet basic food needs last year, and at least P 8,022.00 on the average monthly to meet both basic food and nonfood needs, for the current year" (Rappler, 2014). When the unemployed graduates were asked for their reasons why they were not employed at the time of the conduct of this study, the majority of them mentioned family concern related reasons (17.74%). This was followed by advance or further study; health-related reasons and lack of work experience (14.52%). It was also stated by some unwaged that having their own business (12.90%), did not look for a job (9.68%), no job opportunity and end of the contract (6.45%), and just recently left their last job to pursue better opportunity abroad (3.23%) as other reasons why they were unemployed. This implies that those who were unemployed cannot perform dual-tasks and they need to prioritize one from the other (Galila-Infante, Junco and Marquez, 2014).
It's impossible to be a great parent and a great employee or entrepreneur at the same time. One should pick either a career or a family (Financial Samurai, 2020). This is true to everybody unless one is capable of paying a caregiver. In reality, there are many difficulties every graduate may come across in their quest towards landing in a job related to their field of specialization. What is sure about it is that graduates are ought to meet these challenges along the way.

V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The employment rate of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at San Isidro Campus is a great Below 5,000 6% 5,000 to less than 10,000 37% 10,000 less than 15,000 41% 15,000 less than 20,000 8% 20,000 less than 25,000 4% 25,000 above 4% manifestation of the effectiveness of the program being offered by the university. BSIT graduates are found to be employable and this study aimed to enhance the program to increase the future employment rate of the students who are also taking the same course. After collecting all the data needed, the researchers found out that the majority of the graduates were male, single, locally employed, and did not take or pass any professional examinations. It was also realized by the researchers that the majority of them landed their job seven to eleven months after graduation. It is also good to know that employed graduates were regular/permanent in their current job. Unluckily, a great number of respondents were just earning P 10,000.00 to P 15,000.00 monthly salary. It was also understood that some respondents were unemployed and most of them gave family-related concerns as their reasons.

Figure 9. Present Monthly Salary
It is therefore recommended that the campus specifically the College of Information and Communications Technology must strengthen the functions of the existing student organizations to boost student's participation and cooperation in taking the lead to plan, organize, direct and implement programs that are essential for the growth and development of the students (Mina and Aydinan, 2019) as a preparation for their future employment. It is also suggested by the researchers to create career guidance and placement program for students before taking up to their major fields and initiate forums with the students before admission together with their parents and teachers for the right career choice. The university should establish a partnership with the Civil Service Commission and other IT companies to assist the BSIT graduates in applying and passing eligibility for them to get the security of tenure and a higher salary. Also, a qualitative tracer study for purposively chosen (Subia, 2020) participants who rise from rags to riches may be conducted to further strengthen the research output in this program. Lastly, the university should continue conducting grand alumni homecoming and per campus alumni homecoming to consistently keep in touch, to enhance the interests (Subia, 2019) of the graduates andbe updated on the alumni of the BSIT program consistently.