Work competencies and job satisfaction levels among psychology graduates from 2010-2015 : a tracer study

This study aimed to investigate on the dynamics affecting the job satisfaction of psychology graduates of Cebu Institute of Technology ? University. This study also probed into the factors affecting job satisfaction, and the competencies learned and not learned in school that were essential in the workplace, with the objective of coming up with programs to be proposed for the development of the BS Psychology curriculum.
The method that was used in this study was descriptive method using convenient non-random sampling. There were 93 research participants who were psychology graduates of Cebu Institute of Technology ?university from Batch 2010 ? 2015; Graduate tracer survey instrument, job satisfaction questionnaire, and competencies checklist had all been distributed to the graduates and data were gathered through the internet. There were also follow-up questions that further supported the discussion.
Results showed that the research participants with non-psychology jobs had higher satisfaction with a total mean of 4.03 in terms of the factors of general working conditions (hours worked for each week and amount paid for vacation time/sick leave offered),supervision (mutually setting goals with direct reports,addressing performance problems, and ensuring sufficient rewards) and pay and promotional potential (salary, opportunities, and benefits),job security, and recognition for work accomplished. While research participants with psychology ? related jobs had higher job satisfaction with a total mean of 4.0 in terms of work relationships (relationships with co-workers supervisors, and relationships with subordinates),use of skills and abilities (opportunity to learn new skills and to utilize skills and talents), and work activities (variety of job responsibilities and degree of independence associated with work roles). Both groups had satisfactory rating. On the other hand, there were also competencies that they had learned (adaptability/flexibility/agility,etc.) and not learned (balancing personal and professional, etc.) in school that were essential in the workplace.
Based on the findings that were drawn from the study, a proposed intervention program entitled ?METAMORPHOSIS? was conceptualized for the present psychology students if Cebu Institute of Technology ?University, addressing the needs which were the competencies the research participants did not learn in school that were essential in the workplace, and enabling the present psychology students to be ready and more equipped to face the real-work setting.

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