糖心原创

HomeJournal of Interdisciplinary Perspectivesvol. 4 no. 3 (2026)

Employability, Job Satisfaction, and Economic Status Among Teacher Education Graduates: Tracer Study

Richard B. Estrella | Christian S. Candontol | Kristine Joy E. Quindica | Vilma G. Bermoy

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

Teacher education graduates often face challenges in translating their academic preparation into stable employment and financial security—an issue that remains understudied in provincial contexts. This study explored the employability, job satisfaction, and economic status of teacher education graduates from BISU–Candijay Campus using a descriptive-correlational design and validated survey measures. Findings revealed that graduates consistently applied their professional competencies, particularly in content knowledge, communication, and classroom management, and generally reported positive job satisfaction across workplace domains. Despite this, many experienced extended delays before securing their first teaching position and faced financial limitations that constrained responsibilities beyond basic needs. Mediation analysis indicated that Skills and Work Values contributed to graduates’ economic well-being only through their influence on Job Satisfaction, underscoring the critical role of supportive and fulfilling work environments in shaping economic outcomes. Overall, the results highlight the interconnectedness of competencies, workplace experiences, and financial stability. The study recommends strengthening career preparation, enhancing professional development systems, and integrating financial literacy initiatives to support the long-term employability and economic resilience of teacher education graduates.



References:

  1. Abdulpatta, A., Pelotos, L., & Segundo, T. (2024). Exploring factors influencing job satisfaction among public school teachers: A comprehensive study. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(9), 494–508. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.809045 
  2. Aclan, E., Fameronag, J., Francisco, R., & Saban, G.A. (2018). Tracer study of AUP BEEd and BSEd graduates from 2012-2016. Journal of Education, Psychology, and Humanities, 1(1), 15–19.
  3.  Akdogan, E. (2021). Life and education built on trust. Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Language, 1(2), 128–137.
  4. Berkowitz, M., Bier, M., & McCauley, B. (2017). Toward a science of character education: Frameworks for identifying and implementing effective practices. Journal of Character Education, 13(1), 33–51. https://tinyurl.com/vmppt329 
  5. Bernardo, A., Wong-Fernandez, B., Enteria, C., Macalaguing, M., & Magat, H. (2021). Perceived demand experienced by new Senior High School teachers in the Philippines: A mixed methods study on the microlevel novel obligations of national education reform. Journal of Research in Education Sciences, 66(2). https://doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202106_66(2).0009  
  6. Chen, Y., Feng, S., Heckman, J., & Kautz, T. (2020). Sensitivity of self-reported noncognitive skills to survey administration conditions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(2), 931–935. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910731117  
  7. Collie, R. (2023). Teacher well-being and turnover intentions: Investigating the roles of job resources and job demands. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(3), 712–726.  https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12587 
  8. Commission on Higher Education. (2022). Updated guidelines on the conduct of graduate tracer studies. CHED. 
  9. Cornillez, E.E., Jr., Caminoc, S.R., Basas, B., Militante, B., Jr., & Paler, R. (2021). Tracer study of teacher education graduates of the Eastern Visayas State University-Tanauan Campus, Philippines. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 2(3), 186–193. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2021.2.3.143 
  10. Fuentes, C.A., Maestre, A.J., Rivas, A.M., Barreto, A.J., & Alarcón, R.K. (2023). Job satisfaction and teacher education: Correlational study in postgraduate graduates in education. Education Sciences, 13(2), 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13020198 
  11. Ginoy, M., Rosales, E., Martelino, I., Malonisio, C., Ruance, C., Beltran, L., Nabayra, J., Ampoyos, R., Dalida, R., & Opinion, B. (2023). Examining the professional profile and employment status of teacher education graduates from 2010–2015. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice. https://tinyurl.com/5n6ey2ta 
  12. Gnambs, T., & Kaspar, K. (2015). Disclosure of sensitive behaviors across self-administered survey modes: A meta-analysis. Behavior Research Methods, 47(4), 1237–1259.  https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-014-0533-4 International Monetary Fund. (2020). Unemployment: The curse of joblessness.  
  13. Jackson, D., & Bridgstock, R. (2021). What actually works to enhance graduate employability? The relative value of curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular learning and paid work.  Higher Education, 81(4), 723–739. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-020-00570-x 
  14. Judge, T.A., Zhang, S., & Glerum, D.R. (2020). Job satisfaction: A review and future directions. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 7, 1–25. 
  15. Kidd, L. (2018). Career journeys of initial teacher education graduates (Doctoral dissertation, University of Tasmania).
  16. Koehler, M. J., & Mishra, P. (2018). What is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK)? Journal of Education, 193(3), 13–19.
  17. Lippman, L., Ryberg, R., Carney, R., & Moore, K.A. (2015). Key “Soft Skills” that foster youth workforce success: Toward a consensus across fields. Child Trends.  https://tinyurl.com/28a2h3wa 
  18. Lortie, D.C. (1975). Schoolteacher: A sociological study (2nd ed.). University of Chicago Press. 
  19. Mandinach, E., & Gummer, E. (2016). Data literacy for educators: Making it count in teacher preparation and practice. Teachers College Press. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED572674
  20. Misra, R.K., & Khurana, K. (2017). Employability skills among information technology professionals: A literature review. Procedia Computer Science, 122, 63–70. Pentang, J.T., Perez, D., Cuanan, K., Recla, M., Dacanay, R., Bober, R., dela Cruz, C., Egger, S., Herrera, R., Illescas, C., Salmo, J., Bucad, M., Jr.,
  21. Agasa, J., & Abaca, N.- a. (2022). Tracer study of teacher education graduates of Western Philippines University - Puerto Princesa Campus: Basis for curriculum review and revision. International Journal of Multidisciplinary:  Applied Business and Education Research, 3(3), 419–432. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.03.03.12 
  22. Posadas, K., Osabel, A., Dela Cruz, M.T., Villafor, M.R., Suarez, N., Flores, J., Maňas, J., Yago, C., & Adrales, D. (2021). Employability of teacher education graduates of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, San Isidro Campus. International Journal of Applied Research, 7(6), 159–164. https://doi.org/10.22271/allresearch.2021.v7.i6c.8650  
  23. Rafiq, I.M., Zafar, H., & Fakhar-e-Alam, S.M. (2025). Training and development as drivers of organizational success: Examining the mediating effect of job satisfaction in the banking sector of Karachi, Pakistan. Dialogue Social Science Review (DSSR), 3(3), 585–612. https://dialoguessr.com/index.php/2/article/view/400 
  24. Ryan, R., & Deci, E. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a Self-Determination Theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, 101860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860 
  25. Sebastian, M., Banate, R., & Saquin, M. (2022). Gender roles among public elementary teachers: Basis for gender-responsive intervention activities. International Online Journal of Primary Education (IOJPE), 11(2), 401–411. https://doi.org/10.55020/iojpe.1222199 
  26. Selda, G., & Galicia, R. (2025). Employment outcomes and program relevance: A tracer study of Bachelor of Elementary Education graduates. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(9), 391–400. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.307 
  27. Seligman, M., Ernst, R., Gillham, J., Reivich, K., & Linkins, M. (2019). Positive education: Positive psychology and classroom interventions. Oxford Review of Education, *35*(3), 293–311.  https://doi.org/10.1080/03054980902934563 
  28. Tatto, M.T. (2021). Developing teachers’ research capacity: The essential role of teacher education. Teaching Education, 32(1), 27–46.
  29. Tomlinson, M., & Jackson, D. (2022). Professional identity formation and employability outcomes of graduates. Studies in Higher Education, 47(6), 1247–1260. Westland, J.C. (2015). Structural equation models. Stud. Syst. Decis. Control, 22(5), 152.