Linking Education and Career Readiness - Employment Outcomes of Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration Graduates of UC LM: A Tracer Study

Sep 26, 2026

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Many recent graduates struggle to find jobs aligned with their discipline, including in the Philippines, where graduate employability remains a significant concern. This study assessed the employability of Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration graduates of the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (S.Y. 2021-2024). Using a descriptive correlational design and the modified Graduate Tracer Study survey, responses from 232 graduates showed generally employed outcomes and curriculum relevance, with significant relationships between graduate attributes, PEO, and PO competencies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages42

Reading Time1 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Methodology

Participant Profile and Employment Outcomes

Skills, Curriculum Relevance, and Findings

Linking Education and Career Readiness: Employment Outcomes of Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration Graduates of UC LM: A Tracer Study Kent P. Cosido, Ily E. Abella, Judy Ann Ong Ferrater-Gimena, Yolanda C. Sayson University of Cebu, Cebu City, Philippines DOI: [https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100701103](https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100701103) Received: 06 August 2026; Accepted: 11 August 2026; Published: 21 August 2026 ABSTRACT Many recent graduates struggle to find jobs aligned with their discipline, including in the Philippines, where graduate employability remains a significant concern. One of the most persistent challenges is underemployment, in which college graduates are employed in roles that do not fully utilize their qualifications or skills. Hence, this study assessed the employability of Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration graduates of the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, S.Y. 2021-2024. The results of the study were used to formulate the intervention program. This study employed a descriptive correlational research design and the modified Graduate Tracer Study (GTS) survey questionnaire of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) . The respondents of this study were the two hundred thirty-two (232) Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration (BSCA) graduates from the University of Cebu – Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) who completed their degree during the period. This study employed a descriptive correlational research design and the modified Graduate Tracer Study (GTS) survey questionnaire of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) . The respondents of this study were the two hundred thirty-two (232) from the University of Cebu – Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) who completed their degree during the school years 2021 to 2024. Percentage, rank, weighted mean, the Chi-square test of independence, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (Pearson’s R) were used for data analyses. This investigation observed the ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy. The results show that the majority of the respondents were single, males, from Region 7, Cebu, lived in the city, did not graduate from another course or program, and did not pursue graduate studies. More of them were 26 years old and did not take training or advanced studies. The respondents’ reason for taking the Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration program was the prospect of immediate employment. The majority of respondents were employed, held regular or permanent status, worked locally, were in their first job after college, were rank-and-file in both their first and current jobs, and a few were self-employed. More of them were in customs brokerage firms; responding to advertisements was their means of looking for jobs, and they earned Php 10,000.00 to less than P15,000.00 . The majority of the respondents disclosed that the Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration (BSCA) curriculum is relevant to their first job, the learned communications skill was useful in the first and ccurrent job, the hard skill that they learned in college was customs documentation and processing, while the soft skills that they learned in college was communications and negotiation skills as weiilas problem solving and decision-making skills, strongly manifested the competencies stipulated in the Science in Customs Administration (BSCA) graduate attributes in terms of life long learning, effective communicator, ethically responsible, socially-collaborative, team player, technically-competent and service-oriented and strongly manifested the competencies stipulated in the Science in Customs Administration (BSCA) Program Outcomes (PO) in terms of becoming successful customs brokers practitioners and/or tariff specialist, developing into champions in the pursuit of lifelong learning and upholding the standards of professionalism, corporate conduct and the University of Cebu and College of Cust

FAQs

What was the main purpose of this tracer study?

To assess the employability and employment outcomes of Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration graduates from the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue for S.Y. 2021-2024.

How was the study designed and what tool was used?

It used a descriptive correlational research design with the modified Graduate Tracer Study (GTS) survey questionnaire from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

What relationships did the study report between graduate attributes and program objectives/outcomes?

It reported significant relationships between graduate attributes and the competencies in the BSCA Program Educational Objectives (PEO), and between graduate attribute responses and BSCA Program Outcomes (PO), including significance between PEO and PO competencies.

Sep 26, 2026

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