Students’ Mobility in University of Eastern Pangasinan: Basis for Guidance Placement Service Plan

Abstract

This study determined the status, profile, and major factors of students’ mobility at the University of Eastern Pangasinan as basis for a Guidance Placement Service Plan. It used a descriptive research design involving 400 former students from five colleges who transferred out from Academic Year 2019 to 2023. Data were gathered through a researcher-made survey checklist, institutional records from the Registrar and Guidance Office, and enrollment data from the university information systems. Descriptive statistics summarized the respondents’ profiles, mobility status, and mobility factors, while correspondence analysis examined associations between student profiles and mobility factors. Findings showed that most respondents were 17–19 years old, female, residents of Pangasinan, first-year students, and enrolled mainly in business-related courses. Mobility was highest in 2019 at 23.90% and lowest in 2020 at 4.44%. Academic factors emerged as the leading overall reason for mobility, followed by economic, sociocultural, and environmental factors. Preferred course was the top academic reason, religious and spiritual belief was the leading sociocultural reason, insufficient household income was the dominant economic reason, and the desire to become independent was the major environmental reason. Correspondence analysis indicated that age and course had significant correspondence with mobility factors. Based on the findings, a Guidance Placement Service Plan was proposed to strengthen career guidance, multi-faith support, student assistance, and counseling services for student retention and institutional support.