Final Paper Chpater 1 3

i
Job Hunting Dilemma: Employment Challenges of BS

Tourism Graduate Batches 2020 – 2022
A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the

Undergraduate Studies Department
Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY, MANILA
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of
Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management
Borbon, Camille R.
Briones, Jian Mikaela C.
Fernandez, Kyle Crysthel A.
Peralta, Andrew Christian B.
Salvador, Rose Angeline B.
October 2022
1
Table of Content
I. Chapter I………………………………………………………………3-15
1.1. Introduction………………………………………………………3-4
1.2. Background of the Study………………………………………...4-6
1.3. Problem Statement………………………………………………6-7
1.4. Theoretical Framework…………………………………………7-8
1.5. Conceptual Framework………………………………………....9-10
1.6. Research Objectives……………………………………………10-11
1.7. Significance of the Study………………………………………11
1.8. Scope and Limitations………………………………………….12
1.9. Definition of Terms…………………………………………….12-15
II. Chapter II……………………………………………………………16-32
2.1. Local Literature…………………………………………………16-21
2.1.1. The Coronavirus Pandemic………………………….16-18
2.1.2. Education during Pandemic………………………….18-20
2.1.3. Employment Challenges Encountered by the Tourism
Graduates during Pandemic………………………….20-21
2.2.Foreign Literature………………………………………………..22-32
2.2.1. The Coronavirus Pandemic………………………….22-25
2.2.2. Education during Pandemic………………………….25-29
2.2.3. Employment Challenges Encountered by the Tourism
Graduates during Pandemic………………………….29-32
III. Chapter III…………………………………………………………...33-40
3.1. Research Design………………………………………………...33
3.2. Sampling Design………………………………………………..33
FEU/CLRS.C*FRM.05*VER.00/EFF.15NOV2019
2
3.3.Data Collection Method………………………………………...34
3.4.Development of Research Instrument…………………………..34-39
3.5. Statistical Treatment of Data…………………………………..39-40
IV. References……………………………………………………………41-49
3
CHAPTER I
This chapter introduces a brief information about the study. It contains the rationale,
the general objective, the figures and variables, and the setting where the research will
be conducted.
1.1. Introduction
The Coronavirus outbreak has been the first reason why pandemic happened and
gave a big impact globally. In a two-year mark of experiencing pandemic in the
Philippines, there has been closing of schools and challenges to jobholders. The
stimulation of the pandemic has led to a nationwide lockdown and started job closures
and bankruptcies. Reyes et., al. (2021) stated that in 2020 there has been a depletion of
8.8% in working hours and 114 million individuals became jobless. In addition to that,
in education, it also resulted in school closure, in which, the lockdowns have broadened
the imbalance within education and employment.
Online classes have become a primitive method of learning in 2020 in which a
massive number of online graduates has been produced since the pandemic happened.
Francescucci and Rohani (2018), implied that the literature suggests that physical
engagement influences the students' performance outcome. In addition to the above
stated information, A student's involvement improves when there is cooperation and
connection throughout the process of learning and besides, it builds up satisfaction,
collaboration, and commitment. However, according to Alam et., al. (2022) the
challenges concerns have added up since the online-produced graduates lack ability and
further training in which it becomes the reason for students for being inadequate to
attain employment directly after finishing the degree.
4
The researchers aim to know the employment challenges in seeking jobs of
graduates of batches 2020, 2021 and 2022. Tourism’s main product is service which is
more on selling experience. However, because of the pandemic, skills and
competencies of the students were restricted because of the sudden shift to online
learning. This study will give emphasis on the employment challenges of BS Tourism
Management graduates.
1.2. Background of the Study
There is this pandemic that hit the whole world 3 years ago and it has a lot of effect
on the lives of people all over the world and no one is prepared for it. The pandemic
which is COVID-19 is a human-to-human virus transmission that is confirmed by the
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), which is why schools are
one of the most affected. According to the Commission of Higher Education (2020),
the Philippines is in a critical situation during that time. As a result, immediately
suspended face-to-face classes nationwide to lessen the transmission of the virus, and
flexible learning is the only way they can continue studying. It is a new learning
modality during pandemic that connects the student to their teachers or professors
through the internet meeting.
Schools and universities were one of the infrastructures that were shut down when
the pandemic first started. Both leaving the house and attending school are prohibited
for students. Students are required to attend virtual classes rather than physical ones. In
the Philippines, online classes are a preferred method of flexible learning at the moment
in view of the epidemic. Mobile learning is the way to go to keep on studying.
According to De Guzman (2021), after 20 months of lockdown and preventive
measures of pandemic, which resulted into one of the world’s longest lockdowns, the
5
two-month trial program of face-to-face classes in over 100 public schools only
permitted 5,000 students. The Philippines must be one of a very small number of
nations that continue to rely so heavily on distant education. The absence of on-site
instruction has led to a significant experiment in life.
Online classes have a great disadvantage especially for those who are graduating
and fresh graduate students. Being a graduating student is the most crucial part of a
student because it would be the last year for them to get ready to face the reality of the
outside world. Most students are struggling in their online classes, which could leave
them lacking in knowledge. The main reason why fresh graduates are having a hard
time getting jobs is that they lack communication skills that become a problem to the
interviewer that results in rejection of the applicants. That is why fresh graduates need
to enhance their communication skills for them to be able to have the heart of many
interviewers. On the other hand, the problem of online classes is that the online
environment does not have enough body language. Compared to face-to-face classes,
instructors had a hard time because of lack of advantage in using body language and
facial expression which helps in connecting and communicating with their students.
Moreover, with the tourism industry as one of the sectors that had the biggest
impact during the pandemic where it also lost its place as one of the significant
contributors to the economy. Job opportunities for the fresh graduates, who graduated
during the pandemic, became lesser, and travel and tourism companies have completely
shut down (Peek, 2021). The flights are also being banned, and even local transportation
can only operate to a minimal level (Sharma et al., 2022). It became hard for the
companies to balance their profit to their employees’ salary, which eventually led to
mass lay-offs.
6
The researchers sought to explore the challenges of getting employed by the fresh
graduates of BS tourism for batches 2020, 2021 and 2022. This research study will be
able to identify the challenges that the fresh graduates of BS Tourism Management are
facing in getting their specific jobs and what are the skills and requirements needed to
be able to qualify for a job in the tourism industry.
1.3. Problem Statement
This research will further understand and determine the challenges of fresh
graduates for finding a job in the year 2020 to 2022 when Coronavirus Outbreak, which
has a big impact in the tourism industry.
The problem to be addressed in this paper is about the difficulties of finding a job
of BS Tourism Management graduates of batch 2020 to 2022. Due to the Coronavirus
outbreak, many industries have been laying off employees, especially in the tourism
industry. The tourism industry is in the customer service field where one's skills and
experience are an essential and contributing factor in delivering excellent service to
customers which is one of the goals of the industry. Lack of practical skills is also a
problem here because the graduates during that year are not properly learned, especially
the communication skills due to the learning modality which is the online class.
Therefore, companies are rarely accepting employees but actually they lessen the
workers, and the employees couldn’t meet the standards of the companies.
Another problem that needs to be addressed is the lack of job opportunities in the
tourism industry, as most of the tourism-related companies temporarily closed down,
but some were also completely shut down. During this dilemma, Gould and Kassa
(2020) stated that during the pandemic, young workers or the fresh graduates are the
highest number of underemployments in which these workers occupy the ⅓ of the labor
7
market. Most of these young workers also came from the hard-hit industries which the
tourism industry is one of these.
Therefore, if these problems concerning the future professionals and employees of
the tourism industry may lose its competitive advantages, specifically its big
contribution to the local economies, it may lead into slow recovery during the phase of
post-pandemic.
1.4. Theoretical Framework
This theory framework is based on the study of Mokibelo and Seru (2020) in
which it discusses the certain factors that significantly affect the unemployment among
young people. First is economic factors which include the lack of job opportunities or
the limited creation of jobs. This depends on the area and the industries that a place has.
Demographic factors are the different cultural and social differences amongst
individuals. This can be the lack of work experience of individuals since each individual
has different career training and practice. Educational factors focus on the different
educational qualifications which are the skills that a fresh graduate and an employee
should possess to achieve work success. Attitudinal factors are the perspective or the
attitude one has in terms of job employment or finding a job.
8
This theory model framework is from a study of Hosain, Mustafi, Parvin (2021)
whereas the overall graduate employability are the skills and capabilities that
companies mostly look for in new workers as well as their employees. These variables
are a mix of individual or personal and employment performance. Personal skills are
the abilities and traits of an individual for their career development namely the
academic performance, personality and technical skills. Employment performance is
influenced by social traits and skills such as the communication skills, leadership and
motivational skills, teamwork and problem-solving skills. The overall graduate
employability skills will be the ground to know which causes the difficulties that fresh
online-graduates face in seeking for a job.
9
1.5. Conceptual Framework
This concept framework of this research will help the researchers identify what
difficulties do BSTM graduates of 2020-2022 experience when finding a job.
Employment challenges would be divided into four namely the 1) technical or practical
skills, 2) critical thinking or problem-solving skills, 3) communication skills, and 4)
limited job opportunities.
Technical skills is the digital illiteracy as well as lack of practicum of BSTM
graduates which is an ineffective learning process that results in lack of customer
service skills. It focuses on one’s expertise or capacity to effectively and efficiently
understand and perform tasks and job activities.
Critical thinking skills or problem-solving skills is one’s ability to think, handle,
and solve situations and come up with solutions on their own.
Communication skills are the interpersonal skills which would focus on the lack
of clear and direct communication with others because of limited social engagement or
interaction between people.
10
The pandemic has an adverse effect on the supply and demand of the economies
which translates to an economic crisis that resulted in the closure of businesses
especially in the tourism industry. These business closures have greatly affected those
graduates of BSTM who are seeking a job since the businesses and the industry itself
is still recovering from the impact brought by the pandemic.
These will be the focus and basis for the survey questionnaire to be answered
by the respondents as it will determine what challenges are the most experienced by
BSTM graduates as well as determine the abilities and overall performance of a BSTM
graduate in being fully prepared and ready in the career world.
1.6. Research Objectives
The following are the goals and objectives of the researchers needed to achieve in
the end of this study:
● To identify the factors contributing to the dilemma of the BS Tourism Graduates
of Batch 2020 to 2022.
● To assess the employment challenges faced during the job hunting in the
tourism industry.
● To determine the demographic profile of BS Tourism Graduates Batch 2020 to
2022.
a. Age
b. Gender
c. Track
d. Batch
e. Current Employer
f. Civil Status
11
● To generate recommendations according to the results that will be gathered from
the respondents.
1.7. Significance of the Study
This research is made with the aim to produce information, understanding, and
consideration with regards to employment challenges of fresh graduates. Through this
research, this will benefit the following:
Tourism Graduates. The main respondent of this study wherein this paper
could benefit them through further knowledge, specifically to those who are still
struggling to enter the tourism industry in the present.
Employers. The results gained in this study will be the guide of the employers
in the tourism industry as a basis for considerations on fresh graduates.
Higher Educational Institution. The data gathered from the respondents in
this study will serve as an evaluation from the online learning set up and the internships
of college students based on the guidelines that these institutions made during the
pandemic.
Future Researchers. The collected data in this research will add up to the area
of study that other researchers can make use of as a reference material to establish more
studies.
12
1.8. Scope and Limitations
This research study will be conducted in Far Eastern University-Manila, with a
span of 3 months. The researchers will gather the respondents who graduated in the
year 2020, 2021 and 2022 with a degree of BS Tourism Management.
The data gathering of respondents will be done online, through Google Form
links, with a total of 100 respondents. This study is a quantitative study in which
numeric data and percentage of the respondents’ answers will be the basis of the
researchers in the interpretation and analysis of data, as well as its results and
discussion.
1.9. Definition of Terms
The researchers defined the following terms as conceptual:
Anxiety - somewhat persistent feeling of concern and unease that can accompany a
number of mental diseases. It is frequently accompanied by obsessive behavior or panic
episodes (Definition.net, n.d.).
Attitudinal Factors - The principles, views, beliefs, and values that affect a person's
propensity to act in an environmentally meaningful way as well as their actual conduct
(Definition.net, n.d.).
Bankruptcy - is typically imposed by a court order that is frequently requested by the
debtor (Definition.net, n.d.).
Body Language - is the method that the body uses to communicate (Definition.net,
n.d.).
Career Skills - it compiled one's professional knowledge, abilities, and experience.
They determine how effective someone is in making choices, impacting results,
bringing about change, and performing well (Definition.net, n.d.).
13
Career Development - refers to how companies structure people' career advancement;
typically organizations attach it to performance appraisal (Definition.net, n.d.).
Critical Thinking - is the evaluation and deliberation of claims, opinions, and
problems using logical concepts, strict criteria for information, and critical reasoning
Communication Skills - the qualities individuals engage when offering and receiving
various types of information (Definition.net, n.d.).
Competitive Advantages - are the quality that enables an organization to outperform
its rivals (Definition.net, n.d.).
Closure of Businesses - the process of forcing a company or organization to cease
operations permanently (Definition.net, n.d.).
Demographic data - information about the population and individual characteristics of
a given place or group of people, particularly in terms of age, wealth, and spending
patterns (Definition.net, n.d.).
Demographic Factor - are used to describe a specific individual or a population's
features (Definition.net, n.d.).
Economic Factor - which include education, employment status, and income, can have
an impact on and influence a person's financial situation (Definition.net, n.d.).
Educational Factors - are essential for education in understanding and building
knowledge (Definition.net, n.d.).
Employability Skills - transferable talents that are helpful in almost every employment.
They entail the acquisition of skills, information, or attitudes that increase your
attractiveness to employers (Definition.net, n.d.).
Employers - are individuals or businesses that hire employees (Definition.net, n.d.).
14
Employment - is a just, equitable, and sustainable work with a clear duty, obligation,
job description, person specification, and contract terms and agreements, as well as a
salary and a right to annual leave (Definition.net, n.d.).
Employment Performance - is determined by how successfully employees carry out
their obligations and responsibilities (Definition.net, n.d.).
Illiteracy - a term, phrase, or grammatical construction regarded to be indicative of
illiteracy (Definition.net, n.d.).
Job Closure - this indicates that you are not capable of continuing on with this
particular job (Definition.net, n.d.).
Job Hunting - is the process of trying to get a job interview with a potential employer.
Typically, a job seeker or job hunter starts by looking for open positions or employment
possibilities (Definition.net, n.d.).
Job Opportunities -a specific job that could serve as a springboard for bigger goals
Knowledge Skills - credentials and character traits that a person requires in order to
successfully carry out the responsibilities of a certain job (Definition.net, n.d.).
Laying Off - terminating a worker either temporarily or permanently due to a lack of
work (Definition.net, n.d.).
Leadership Skills - the qualities and skills people show to manage operations, direct
initiatives, and motivate their teams toward achieving goals (Definition.net, n.d.).
Mobile Learning - refers to instruction or training delivered through movable
computing tools, such as smartphones or tablets (Definition.net, n.d.).
Motivational Skills - actions or tactics that persuade a stakeholder to exhibit a desirable
behavior or attitude (Definition.net, n.d.).
15
Online Graduates - an individual who has just graduated is referred to as an online
graduate. This person possesses very few or no skill sets (Definition.net, n.d.).
Practical Skills - methods and techniques for self-help and life-saving situations that
someone may learn, impart to others, and use every day to get ready and safeguard both
health and that of others (Definition.net, n.d.).
Practicum - is intended to provide students with guided practical experience in a
subject they have previously studied in theory (Definition.net, n.d.).
Personal Skills - person's aptitudes that are seen as either their strengths or limitations
Problem-Solving Skills - include the capacity to recognize issues, generate and
evaluate solutions, and apply the most effective ones.
Social Skills - abilities that let people connect and communicate with one another and
develop, communicate, and alter social norms and relations in spoken and unspoken
ways (Definition.net, n.d.).
Qualifications - a trait or achievement that qualifies a person for a specific position or
task (Definition.net, n.d.).
Social Traits - one's attitudes or views toward other individuals (Definition.net, n.d.).
Teamwork - act of cooperating with a group of individuals to accomplish a task
Underemployment - is defined as a worker's employment condition that, in
comparison to a standard, falls short in some significant ways (Definition.net, n.d.).
16
CHAPTER II
This chapter includes review of related literature that contains information and data
related to the study.
2.1. Local Literature
2.1.1. The Coronavirus Pandemic
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic started in Wuhan City,
Province of Hubei in China, in December 2019 the outbreak of the Virus severely
affected human health. The virus spread in a short period and crossed all over the world.
The people exposed to the virus will experience Fever, loss of taste and smell, and any
respiratory illness and recovery without treatment. Most people infected by the disease
have a weak immune system and underlying medical conditions just as Diabetic,
Cardiovascular disease, or cancer are the most easily affected by the virus. Anyone can
get the COVID-19 disease; they can die anytime and at any age.
The first COVID-19-positive patient was from Wuhan, China on December 8,
2021, and spread easily to the cities and nearby places and internationally that is why it
was declared a global pandemic because it spreads throughout the whole globe. The
Philippines was infected by the virus on January 21, 2020, and the first patient is also
from Wuhan China a 38-year-old female and a Chinese national, she experiences a mild
cough but was still asymptomatic and was admitted to the country’s government
hospital which is San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) and that is when the COVID-19 Started
in the Philippines (Department of Health, 2020).
17
As a result, it is useful since students can get in touch with their instructors and
classmates whenever they want to. The adaptability of this system allows students to
study whenever they want and professors to teach from the comfort of their own homes
without having to worry about getting dressed or finding a way to get to
school. Additionally, because students don't have to leave their homes and run the risk
of contracting a virus, it is the safest approach to learning. Finally, students can spend
more time and connect with their families more frequently. However, the struggle to
obtain school supplies, mobile devices, a stable internet connection, cash to pay bills,
and other necessities is too much for parents who are genuinely suffering to give. This
is particularly valid for low-income families and children.
However, Metro Manila’s Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ) was lifted
on June 1 and placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) that is the time
when some activities and transportation are back in operation, however, some places
are still not required to change quarantine policy. Only the teachers are back to school,
and they conduct their online classes in the classrooms. Modular learning is also still
implemented. However, it is much easier for the teachers because either the students or
their parents will now be the one to pick-up the modules, rather than the teachers
delivering it personally to every home of the students.
After a long battle against COVID-19, most of the places in the country are
placed under Modified Community Quarantine (MGCQ) it is the phase where
businesses and activities are finally open but still have protocols to follow the other
thing is the school still not available for face-to-face classes until the school year 2022.
18
Last February 2022, big universities have already started to open their school
for a limited face-to-face class, including Far Eastern University, in which they offered
physical classes to 3rd year to 5th year. Not until the mid-year term, wherein FEU is one
of the universities that implemented a full face-to-face class, starting from July 4, 2022
(FEU, 2022). This was a big adjustment for the students who transitioned from online
class to physical class, specifically for the tourism students, who have a class that
requires presence and enhancing practical skills. It made a big impact for them as
practical classes play a critical role in their future service jobs.
2.1.2. Education during Pandemic
With the several industries closing and shutting down due to the effects of the
pandemic, universities and schools are no exemption. Last March 12, 2020, former
President Duterte announced Metro Manila to be under lockdown from March 12 until
April 14, 2020, as a way of fighting Covid-19 (CNN Philippines, 2020). In relation to
this proclamation is the announcement of the Department of Education (DepEd) and
Commission in Higher Education (CHED) about the suspension of classes wherein
classes in all levels and school activities are therefore suspended until April 14, 2020.
They informed and advised their students, faculty, and staff to immediately depart to
their hometowns, specifically those who live outside the Luzon region, because of the
strict implementation of the enhanced community quarantine which might lead them to
be stranded (Commission on Higher Education, 2020).
Despite the inevitable situation in which everyone is locked in their respective
homes, and imposing strict guidelines and implementations, the university and schools
19
are still needed to operate, and students are needed to be educated. This is why the
Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) has put online and technologically
supported remote learning options into place to maintain learning continuity. Teachers
are regarded as important employees in the Philippines because, despite the nation's
ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases, they were compelled to continue attending schools
and universities to plan the modules for online learning (Oscena, 2021).
As a result, many universities and colleges have also introduced flexible
learning methods as part of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The
dramatic changes made to the educational system both during and after the epidemic
are provided by these strategies. Numerous educational institutions offer a wide range
of solutions and materials to encourage teaching and learning in a more engaging setting
According to Petrie (2020), teachers are using online educational platforms such as
Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, and Canvas to create educational and training
courses, and skill enhancement initiatives. Word, PDF, Excel, audio, and video files are
just a few of the many types of content that can regularly be sent.
Teachers also provide communication tools to maintain classroom organization
and ease of use. These also make it feasible to monitor the progress of students' learning
through the use of tests and the evaluation of submitted tasks using a rubric. Online
learning, in contrast to traditional classroom environments, has provided educators and
students the possibility to teach and learn in novel and engaging ways. Because of this
approach, not only children but also teachers and professionals have been safeguarded
from COVID-19 infection (DepEd, 2020). During the first phase of lockdown, teachers
are only required to conduct online classes from their respective homes. As for those
20
who are modular, teachers print the modules individually for the students who live in
the remote areas and delivers it personally to their homes.
Due to the hard situation for both the teachers and students, a concerningly high
proportion of Filipino students are currently unable to attend online classes and must
therefore give up their education. However, in order to feed their family and cover the
cost of their children's education, parents are still required to work hard to acquire a job
and a reliable source of income. 4 million students were reportedly unable to enroll for
the previous school year, according to Senator Sonny Angara. This number will keep
rising unless the educational system is reformed or the government acts to give funds
for children's mobile learning.
2.1.3. Employment Challenges Encountered by the Tourism Graduates during
Pandemic
The years 2020-2022 were the peak years of which the pandemic escalated,
thus, affecting 220 countries around the world. Tourism industry being a widely diverse
industry is greatly impacted by it. Although, the Philippines is faced with employment
challenges even before the pandemic as there were already limited job opportunities
offered in the country. The still ongoing crisis has posed much greater challenges in the
business world making it harder for aspiring tourism professionals to secure and get a
job in the industry.
As per the Philippines Statistics Authority, the unemployment rate in the
Philippines as of July 2022 has decreased to 5.2 percent from 7.2 percent in July 2021.
The aftermath of the economic crisis is the main cause of the decline in the
21
unemployment rate in the country because most of the businesses in the tourism
industry have shut down due to the diminishing spending and availing of people of
tourism products and services.
Those jobs in the agriculture and service industry were considered the most
greatly affected by the employment losses. Most tourism establishments have fired
employees, filed a bankruptcy, and stopped hiring industry workers (Benaraba, et al.,
2021). Dismissing workers is one of the first actions that a business would do when
they are in a decline stage because there is no income and when there is no income,
there is not enough money to pay for the workers.
The thought of being able to work and converse with different people every day
may be hard for tourism people to take in because of many matters at stake which is
why many businesses have also closed. Many are afraid of the further risk that the
pandemic would bring not just to the situation of their business but also their people.
Some chose to leave their work while some do not have other choice but to really leave
their current work in the industry because of the vast closures of establishments. This
shows that the Philippines is still struggling to recover from the adverse effects caused
by the crisis.
According to the research of Bernabe, et al. (2021), the pandemic has caused
such changes and adjustments in the teaching styles, expectations and perceptions in
the industry, and required skills in the tourism field. It is also a given fact that the
graduates do not have ample practice of what the real-life work in their field is because
of no practical assessments in online learning. Internships and apprenticeships were
restricted due to the distance and limited learning that the DepEd and CHED
implemented.
22
2.2. Foreign Literature
2.2.1. The Coronavirus Pandemic
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic started in Wuhan City,
Province of Hubei in China, in December 2019 the outbreak of the virus severely
affected human health. The virus spread in a short period and crossed all over the world.
The people exposed to the virus will experience Fever, loss of taste and smell, and any
respiratory illness and recovery without treatment. Most people infected by the disease
have a weak immune system and underlying medical conditions just as diabetic,
cardiovascular disease, or cancer are the most easily affected by the virus. Anyone can
get the COVID-19 disease; they can die anytime and at any age.
The only way to decrease the cases from time to time is the mandatory home
quarantine to protect ourselves from the virus. One meter apart is the range of social
distancing for the people and proper wearing of face masks because the virus can spread
from the infected person’s small liquid particles just like when they are sneezing,
speaking, and coughing,
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) and
European Countries have worked together to make a vaccine for the whole world. Many
vaccines are made with different brands such as Pfizer, Sinovac, and AstraZeneca
(WHO, 2022). However, although they made a vaccine for the people, the vaccine is
still not the only way to stop the virus outbreak. These vaccines are still in the
experimental stage, and there is no hundred percent assurance that these vaccines could
really protect people from obtaining the virus.
23
As of October 6, 2020, around 36 million people had contracted the disease, and
over a million had passed away (Magtoto, 2020). The mortality rate comprises all
deaths related to COVID-19, whether they are caused directly by the illness or
indirectly by the pandemic’s effects on social structures and healthcare. Deaths that are
indirectly related to COVID-19 are caused by other medical complications for which
people were unable to receive preventive treatment due to the pandemic’s load on health
service facilities. Lockdown and homebound restrictions have been put in place to
reduce the curve and stop the disease's transmission (Sintema, 2020).
In the majority of the countries, people of all ages were advised to refrain from
direct personal interaction and take part in collective and social events, family get-
togethers, and public events. Nation governments swiftly mandated self-isolation with
few exceptions, especially for people leaving more badly affected areas, the elderly,
and people with pre-existing medical issues. While it has always been believed that
self-isolation is a social duty, a number of countries have recently enacted new laws
that prohibit outdoor activity and demand the wearing of face masks, and they have the
authority to fine or imprison anyone who disobeys them (Department of the Interior
and Local Government, 2020). The use of face masks might be most successful at
halting the spread of the virus when adherence is high amongst bigger groups, claim
Howard et al. (2020). The lower transmissibility could significantly diminish COVID-
19's number of deaths and potential economic effects. This was a huge adjustment for
everyone, as the first phase of the lockdown were the hardest part of this pandemic, as
everyone quickly shifted to a whole new lifestyle, needing to abandon some of the
activities that used to do before.
24
Humans are primarily social creatures, so engaging with others and forging
various sorts of bonds with them comes naturally to us. Both a truth and a subjective
reality that has an impact on people have been classified as social isolation. Lack of
interpersonal interaction, a genuine lack of social relationships, and societal
estrangement are some aspects of social isolation (Hamming O., 2019). It is
understandable how extensive mandatory movement limitations and isolation inside the
home result in physically isolated individuals who are severely limited in their ability
to engage directly with others outside the home. Social isolation and legislation limiting
travel have profoundly altered traditional educational methods to limit the spread of the
virus.
The closing of educational establishments was implemented due to COVID-19's
global spread. Online education has expanded quickly in response to the pandemic
issue, distance learning, and the internet's rapid expansion and usage. A routine shift
that calls for international cooperation, such as the exchange of published materials, is
different from the urgent shift to e-learning and faculty improvement. It puts into
practice the capacity of institutions to handle a situation that demands the engagement
of trying to eliminate physical interaction to enable efficient online learning. The
creation of online learning environments was hastened in response to this shutdown to
ensure that education would not be interrupted. Many institutions are now looking for
the best methods for involving students, offering the course online material, and
conducting assessments. COVID-19 poses a threat to humanity, yet it has prompted
institutions to adopt digital learning. Suresh (2018) asserts that the pandemic had an
effect on institutions in a number of study areas; gatherings, global mobility, and
learning output. According to statistics, the closing of schools, establishments, and
other learning facilities has an impact on 94% of students globally (UNESCO, 2020).
25
It also affected the school closures and resulted in students experiencing an extended
period of social isolation. It is estimated that 94% of students worldwide are affected
due to the closure of schools, institutions, and other learning facilities (UNESCO,
2020). More than 28 million Filipino students at all educational stages are obligated to
abide by the Philippine government's quarantine regulations by remaining at home
(UNESCO, 2020).
As a result, all aspects of our lives have undergone significant changes. The
majority of universities claimed that adopting online learning was required of them and
that they faced numerous difficulties in terms of having access to technology and having
teachers who could teach online. Mulla et al. (2020) define the transition to e-learning
as the entire process of transformation, including the actual conversion of each course
in an institution, staff preparation, and professional program completion and migration
to the new online environment. Even under normal circumstances, switching from in-
person instruction to online instruction is reportedly time-consuming and alters the
function and duties of the faculty. As a result, Almaiah et al. (2020) argue that readiness
should be considered as a key component in assessing implementation success. al. To
ensure that online learning is properly implemented, it is also necessary to ensure that
instructors are prepared. Since several new SOPs have been implemented, reopening
schools once a limitation has been raised is difficult. As a result, academic institutions
adopted online learning as an alternative to the traditional pedagogical technique during
the COVID-19 epidemic (Dhawan, 2020).
2.2.2 Education during Pandemic
Everything started in December 2019 in the country Wuhan, China, where there
has been a virus that has spread all over the world and the pandemic happened. The said
26
pandemic has concerned all sectors of life, which includes education. When the
condition of every part of the world has worsened, the worldwide lockdown ended up
in a lockdown of educational institutions. The closure of schools and universities has
turned out to have only limited options. (Khalil, et., al. 2020)
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, students and educators in the
Philippines have been compelled to make significant modifications to the educational
system to abide by the new educational setup and strict implementation laws of the
World Health Organization. Due to continuous growth of cases of the virus during
2020, lockdowns are extended. This only means that schools and universities are also
expected not to conduct classes on site which can also contribute to the spread of the
virus. However, students have the right to education and the end of this pandemic is
uncertain, so the country cannot wait for the pandemic to end just to continue to educate
the students. Thus, an alternative was given which is conducting a distance learning
which includes online class and modular (UNICEF, 2020).
According to Petrie (2020), teachers are using online educational platforms such
as Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, and Canvas to create educational and training
courses, and skill enhancement initiatives. Word, PDF, Excel, audio, and video files are
just a few of the many types of content that can regularly be sent. However, there are
students who are in the remote areas that cannot acquire any signal or there is no
sufficient financial to sustain online learning, which led to having a modular mode of
learning, in which the lessons and modules are printed and brought to the students.
Though, online class is considered as the most used mode of learning during the
pandemic. A new environment and adjustment were done by the students, which
brought both positive and negative impact.
27
School closures due to pandemic has produced certain issues in concern with
the access of education. The Corona Virus has led to a large number of children and
young adults being unable to attend school. (UNESCO, 2020) During the time when all
of the countries are at their own points where they are experiencing their COVID-19
infection rates, the school closures have been affected globally in 186 countries where
a total of 1.2 billion students have experienced it because of the pandemic. Due to the
sudden change with the online learning set up where students are away from the
classroom, adoption of online classes has been continued as an alternative for the
students during lockdowns (World Economic Forum, 2020). While encountering
lockdowns, students tend to have more screen time than usual. With this, it may seem
strange since after a long day of virtual meetings students feel that they can hardly keep
their eyes open, this condition is digital fatigue. It is also known as a situation of
mentally draining due to the immoderate and simultaneous use of numerous digital
tools, particularly apps and screens (Lixar, 2021).
According to National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine (2018)
Even if online learning set-up gives out capability for more convenience,
communication, and reflective educational awareness, various challenges are being
recognized as potential components in prohibiting learning. Distance learning
environments produce students with an opportunity to interconnect, be in touch with
the people, have the option to adjust when it comes to using technologies in every
individual interest, and linked presentations through different modes of medium. Online
class is done with the use of the internet and gadgets, but there are students who are in
the remote areas that cannot acquire any signal or there is no sufficient financial to
sustain online learning, which led to having a modular mode of learning, in which the
lessons and modules are printed and brought to the students. Though, online class is
28
considered as the most used mode of learning during the pandemic. A new environment
and adjustment were done by the students, which brought both positive and negative
impact. According to the study conducted by Baber (2020), online class perceives
students' interaction and engagement just for the sake of learning. Students are able to
education and lifestyle, but only limited within home.
However, the advantage of online learning remains uncertain to individuals who
have different access, previous experiences, and choice when it comes to online set-up.
Students seeking graduate degrees could have had significantly different past online
learning experience because of lacking technical groundwork, insufficiency of
affordability, or shortage of digital literacies. (Gargano & Throop, 2017). When a
student is not an easy learner and lacks social interaction in which this study surrounds
tourism graduates, whose practical skills are critically needed.
When it comes to the internships and some other modes of work-based learning,
they are progressively viewed as a required and crucial experience for college students.
Also, it assists students in broadening transferable skills, establishing academic
knowledge to actual situations, building up professional networks, and making the
students be easier in associating, and access to their profession (Hora et., Al. 2021)
While dealing with the online classes, for students who are graduating and need an
internship, virtual training has become an alternative in which a job experience
arrangement can be done at home. With the use of Skype, Microsoft Teams, Emails,
Zoom, Google Meet and Webinars, students can communicate with their employers
using these. The face-to-face internships of some individuals are no longer an option
for them since the online internship has become a great replacement due to the
coronavirus pandemic. (Lane, 2022)
29
As explained by Feldman (2021) The virtual internship can help out trainees or
students to attain work experience with their preferred employers regardless of their
location, possible disabilities that will place limits and barriers on their mobility and
further obligations.
2.2.3. Employment Challenges Encountered by the Tourism Graduates during
Pandemic
Students have already anticipated the chances of having limited job hirings,
unsafe security in career, and even slim chances of getting a position in the tourism
companies (Shah et al., 2021). The supply and demand aspect of the economy has been
greatly affected which resulted in the slow-down of economic activities of the people
which eventually led to the closure of most businesses and establishments in the
Philippines. Many people have also lost their jobs and as well as the fresh graduates
who are struggling to seek a job in the market.
The youth, specifically the fresh graduates are the ones who are vulnerable in
the workforce as they are directly affected by this economic crisis (Khan, 2020).
Distance learning is different from having actual learning since students do not get to
receive practical experience. Students who have studied and graduated online have not
fully received quality learning. Thus, they are most likely to have limited understanding
and mastery in their workplace. Receiving poor quality education can lead to inadequate
skills and capabilities of future workers (Fajaryati et al., 2020).
One of the goals of educational institutions is to be able to produce graduates
who are work-ready and would be instrumental in the growth of a nation. Hence,
educational institutions should produce graduates who are smart, talented, and assertive
30
that would make them successful in their field (Refugia, 2021). Schools and universities
are considered as the last stage of students before entering the career world. It is
important that their students have gained professional skills to be qualified in the job
that they are aiming for.
Skills is the expertise of one with regards to performing a task. It is considered
as the attributes that one has that would make them be proficient in doing their work.
Employability or occupational skills are the kind of work that should be executed during
the whole work term. These are the skills and abilities that an employee should possess
in the job in order to excel and achieve work success. These will also be the standards
of every business and company in looking for their workers.
Most companies focus on the hard skills in job qualifications and when
recruiting workers in the past, now even soft skills can be used in the market (Subedi,
n.d.). These two are considered very essential requirements in entering jobs because it
can be an asset of every company as it gives equal growth and success. Soft skills are
the traits and skills that are widely relevant in most areas such as the personal qualities,
behaviors, and attitudes. Hard skills on the other hand, are less applicable to different
areas such as one’s focused knowledge and abilities.
The tourism industry, considering that it is a wide and diverse industry, has a
lot of jobs to offer. Thus, quality workers are really needed since tourism is in the
customer service field. Quality workers are those who are knowledgeable, skillful, and
equipped to be in the position. However, the youth which includes the fresh graduates
are facing difficulty in acquiring jobs despite having several job offerings in the
industry now since they are unqualified and unskilled for the job (Mokibelo & Seru,
2020).
31
Good service is not about not encountering mistakes but rather how great a task
is being delivered and managed (Gottwick, n.d.). Technical, communication, and
critical thinking skills are only some of the important employability skills that are in
demand and have a huge influence in the tourism industry. Technical skills are the core
skills that are acquired through extensive training and learning. Examples of these in
the field of tourism are marketing, cooking, bartending, managing reservations, and
assisting passengers. Hence, without proper practice and application of these skills can
cause hardships and drawbacks in one’s work performance which is one of the problems
that students have since they do not get to undergo practicum or have first-hand
experience in online classes.
Communication skills is one’s ability to converse with others. It is essential for
people who work in the tourism industry to have communication skills as they are
mostly in the frontline of businesses. They get to communicate with people from
different nationalities and works of life every day. Communication skills can be
enhanced and practiced through everyday face-to-face interaction with people which is
limited to students since their social engagements are restricted and controlled.
Although students get to communicate with their professors and other students
virtually, it still does not give students that confidence that they acquire when they get
to talk with people personally.
Critical thinking is one’s personal problem-solving skill that is very important
in any person’s undertaking. It contributes to the understanding of one with regards to
different matters. As for the tourism people, being able to think critically is very
beneficial since there is no certainty as to how things in the work would happen every
day. Therefore, being able to think and come up with ideas and solutions fast would
32
help tourism workers to be efficient and effective in their workplace. Being a worker is
different from being a student since workers have more tasks and responsibilities.
Students have critical thinking skills but not all students can apply this skill when faced
with a different environment.
Fajaryati et al., (2020) stated in their research that honing these employability
skills to the students is not only an obligation but a necessity for schools and
universities. It should be embedded in every education system as it should give students
a thorough and lasting learning that mirrors the real and accurate problems in a new and
interdisciplinary way. Such environmental and ecological factors can influence the
young individuals’ perspective of work (Mahmud et al., 2020). Thus, different career
programs should be administered to the students to further develop and prepare them
for their lives (Nightingale et al., 2020). Their views with regards to their job have a
huge impact on their future career plans and through this career programs offered by
universities, students would be able to choose the right career path and opportunities to
take that is suitable to their core skills. Having these programs will also ease the stress
and worry of students with their future career in the tourism industry.
33
CHAPTER III
In this chapter, the researchers will present the methods to be used in the data
gathering, along with its research question, and how the data will be interpreted after
data gathering processes.
3.1. Research Design
This study uses a quantitative descriptive research method which aims to gather
quantifiable data from a population sample for statistical analysis. The goal of the
descriptive design is to identify and describe the traits of the respondents and their
perspectives in light of the research being done by the researchers. The objective of this
study is to determine the employment difficulties that job seekers in the tourism
industry encounter. Therefore, the researchers will gather this information in order to
develop a conclusion that could help students in improving their job-hunting skills or
perhaps may even help other research studies for the future's use.
3.2. Sampling Design
The sampling technique to be used in this study will be probability sampling,
specifically, the cluster quota sampling. The cluster was picked out according to the
degree graduated in, which is BS Tourism Management, and the year they graduated
in, year 2020 to 2022 respectively. Therefore, the sample population from which the
respondents are taken is only limited to the BS Tourism Management graduates of
batches 2020-2022 enrolled in Far Eastern University, Manila. A total of one hundred
(100) respondents are needed for the researchers to meet the quota number of sampling
that will represent the whole population of BSTM graduates in Far Eastern University.
34
3.3. Data Collection Method
The research will be done through the utilization of survey questionnaires. The
questionnaires that the researchers will be using contain a cover letter indicating the
title and purpose of the research, this will be shown to the respondents in order to ask
permission and cooperation for the success of the study. In addition, the questionnaires
will be done through online platform, Google Forms. It is easier to conduct and collect
data from the respondents through online for the convenience of both researchers and
the respondents.
3.4. Development of Research Instrument
In this study, the researchers will use survey questionnaires for data gathering.
The questionnaire is composed of 3 parts, in which Part I is the demographics of the
respondents and the terms and conditions. This part will assure and confirm the
credibility of the respondents. The FEU student number of the respondents will be
required to fill-up in this part. For Part II, are the main questions and statements, divided
according to the factors presented in the conceptual framework of Chapter I, which are
the technical skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, work availability, and
with an addition of their current employment. Lastly, Part III would be the
recommendations.
The 4-point likert scales questionnaires are composed of 4 choices which are:
Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (DA), and Strongly Disagree (SDA).
The following are the research questions crafted by the researchers for the
respondents to answer:
35
Terms and Conditions:
Dear Respondent;
Greetings of Fortitude, Excellence and Uprightness!
We, the 3rd year BS Tourism Management students from Far Eastern University, are
currently conducting our research study entitled, “Job Hunting Dilemma: Employment
Challenges of BS Tourism Graduate Batches 2020 – 2022,” as a course requirement for
Research Writing Tourism 1.
In connection to this, we are humbly requesting a few minutes of your time to
respond in this only survey questionnaire. Rest assured that the information gathered
will be treated with utmost confidentiality and will only be used for academic purposes
only.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely yours,
Researchers
o I agree to the terms and conditions stated above.
Part I: Demographics
1. Name (optional):
2. FEU Student Number:
3. Program Taken:
o BS Tourism Management Major in Travel and Tours
o BS Tourism Management Major in Events Management
4. Year Graduated:
36
o 2020
o 2021
o 2022
5. Current Employment Status:
o Unemployed
o Part-time
o Full-time
o Others (Please Specify): _________________
Part II: Factors of Job-Hunting Dilemma
Instructions: Please answer the questions based on your degree of agreement.
4 – Strongly Agree (SA), 3 – Agree (A), 2 – Disagree (DA), 1 – Strongly Disagree
(SDA)
1. Work Availability
SA A DA SDA
(4) (3) (2) (1)
I was able to apply for the job that I
wanted after I graduated.
I am very much aware of the several
employment opportunities offered
in my industry.
There were a lot of job hirings in the
tourism industry when I graduated
despite being in a pandemic.
I managed to apply for a job
efficiently regardless of the new
37
employment processes because of
the pandemic.
2. Technical/Practical Skills
SA A DA SDA
(4) (3) (2) (1)
I am confident enough to work in the
hospitality industry that requires
practical skills.
I am prepared enough to collaborate
with co-workers.
My experience in taking online class
helped me improve my computer
and technology-related skills.
I can be able to perform tasks in a
specialized technical area.
3. Critical Thinking Skills
SA A DA SDA
(4) (3) (2) (1)
I am ready to help and solve a
problem that occurs at any time.
I am ready to present new ideas or
techniques to my peers or co-
workers.
38
I am confident that I'm capable of
the industry based on my critical
thinking skills.
I am ready to handle unexpected
situations e.g. complaints, criticisms
etc.
4. Communication Skills
SA A DA SDA
(4) (3) (2) (1)
My ability to communicate in the
tourism industry is affected by my
anxiety and nervousness.
I am comfortable and confident in
expressing my thoughts and ideas
with others.
I have strong listening skills and can
apply others' suggestions.
I can communicate and speak
smoothly even if during tough
situations
39
5. Current Employment
SA A DA SDA
(4) (3) (2) (1)
The knowledge I gained during the
online class was enough for me to
perform well at my current job.
The distance learning had a huge
impact on my performance in my
current job.
I am satisfied that I graduated
through online class.
The internship experience I had
during the pandemic was useful in
my current job.
Part III:
1. Recommendations/suggestions for the researchers for future studies.
___________________________________________________________
3.5. Statistical Treatment of Data
For the researchers to be able to analyze and interpret the data gathered that will
be conducted in chapter 4, the mean formula will be used to statistically analyze the
data. Therefore, each scale presented in the questionnaire has a corresponding
numerical values and verbal interpretations, whereas: 4 – Strongly Agree; 3 – Agree; 2
– Disagree; and 1 – Strongly Disagree.
40
Numerical Values Verbal Interpretation
3.50 – 4.00 Strongly Agree
2.50 – 3.49 Agree
1.50 – 2.49 Disagree
1.0 – 1.49 Strongly Disagree
With the corresponding codes and interpretation presented above, the
researchers will use the following weighted mean formula to calculate its interpretation,
in accordance with the results of the data gathered.
𝛴(𝑤𝑥)
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛 =
𝛴𝑤
Where:
𝛴 = 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑤 = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒
𝑥 = data in the sample
Or
𝑤1 𝑥1 + 𝑤2 𝑥2 + 𝑤3 𝑥3 + 𝑤4 𝑥4
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛 =
𝑤1 + 𝑤2 + 𝑤3 + 𝑤4
Where:
𝑤𝑖 = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒

𝑥2 = 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
41
References
Alam, Md et., al. (2022, August 11). Importance of Skills Development for Ensuring
Graduates Employability: The Case of Bangladesh. Social Sciences 11: 360.
Retrieved October 3, 2022 from https://mdpi-
res.com/d_attachment/socsci/socsci-11-00360/article_deploy/socsci-11-
00360-v2.pdf?version=1660545117
Baber, H. (2020). Determinants of Students’ Perceived Learning Outcome and
Satisfaction in Online Learning during the Pandemic of COVID19. Journal of
Education and E-Learning Research, 7(3), 285–292.
https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.509.2020.73.285.292
Benaraba, C. M. D., Bulaon, N. J. B., Escosio, S. M. D., Narvaez, A. H. G., Suinan,
A. N. A., & Roma, M. N. (2022). A Comparative Analysis on the Career
Perceptions of Tourism Management Students Before and During the COVID-
19 Pandemic. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport &Amp; Tourism
Education, 30, 100361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2021.100361
CNN Philippines. (2020, March 3). Metro Manila to be placed on “lockdown” due to
COVID-19. CNN Philippines.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/3/12/COVID-19-Metro-Manila-
restrictions-Philippines.html
Commission on Higher Education. (2020). Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and
Mitigation of the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs). In Commission on Higher Education (CHED
COVID ADVISORY No. 5). https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/CHED-
HEI-COVID-19-Advisory_No.5_15Mar2020.pdf
42
Commission on Higher Education. (2020). Guidelines on the Implementation of
Flexible Learning (CHED Memorandum Order No. 04). Retrieved October 5,
2022, from https://chedro3.ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CMO-
No.-4-s.-2020-Guidelines-on-the-Implementation-of-Flexible-Learning.pdf
Commission on Higher Education. (2020, October 15). Online Public Consultation on
the Proposed Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Learning.
https://chedro3.ched.gov.ph/2020/10/15/online-public-consultation-on-the-
proposed-guidelines-on-the-implementation-of-flexible-learning/
De Guzman, C. (2021, December 1). The Philippines Still Hasn’t Fully Reopened Its
Schools Because of COVID-19. What Is This Doing to Children? TIME.
Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://time.com/6124045/school-closures-
covid-education-philippines/
Definitions.net. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://www.definitions.net/
Department of Education. (2020, July 1). DepEd prepares Self-Learning Modules for
education’s new normal [Press release].
https://www.deped.gov.ph/2020/07/02/deped-prepares-self-learning-modules-
for-educations-new-normal/
Department of Health. (2020, January 30). DOH CONFIRMS FIRST 2019-NCOV
CASE IN THE COUNTRY; ASSURES PUBLIC OF INTENSIFIED
CONTAINMENT MEASURES [Press release]. https://doh.gov.ph/doh-press-
release/doh-confirms-first-2019-nCoV-case-in-the-
country#:~:text=The%20confirmed%20case%20arrived%20in,She%20is%20c
urrently%20asymptomatic.
43
Dhawan, S. (2020). Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of COVID-19 Crisis.
Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(1), 5–22.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018
Fajaryati, N., Budiyono, Akhyar, M., & Wiranto. (2020). The Employability Skills
Needed To Face the Demands of Work in the Future: Systematic Literature
Reviews. Open Engineering, 10(1), 595–603. https://doi.org/10.1515/eng-
2020-0072
Francescucci, A., & Rohani, L. (2018, December 13). Exclusively synchronous online
(viri) learning: The Impact on Student Performance and Engagement Outcomes.
Sage Journals. Retrieved September 13, 2022, from
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0273475318818864
FEU. (2022, June 6). Mode of Classes and Alert Level Protocols for Mid-year Term
and first semester of SY 2022-2023. Far Eastern University.
https://www.feu.edu.ph/index.php/2022/05/mode-of-classes-and-alert-level-
protocols-for-mid-year-term-and-first-semester-of-sy-2022-2023/
Gould, E., & Kassa, M. (2020, October 14). Young workers hit hard by the COVID-19
economy: Workers ages 16–24 face high unemployment and an uncertain
future. Economic Policy Institute. Retrieved October 3, 2022, from
https://www.epi.org/publication/young-workers-covid-recession/
Hämmig, O. (2019). Health risks associated with social isolation in general and in
young, middle and old age. PLOS ONE, 14(7), e0219663.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219663
Han, Y., Chang, Y., & Kearney, E. (2021). “It’s Doable”: International Graduate
Students’ Perceptions of Online Learning in the U.S. During the Pandemic.
44
Journal of Studies in International Education, 26(2), 165–182.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10283153211061433
Hosain, M. S., Mustafi, M. A. A., & Parvin, T. (2021, June 2). Factors affecting the
employability of private university graduates: an exploratory study on
Bangladeshi employers. PSU Research Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/prr-01-
2021-0005
Hossain, M. I., Yagamaran, K. S. A., Afrin, T., Limon, N., Nasiruzzaman, M., & Karim,
A. M. (2018, October 2). Factors Influencing Unemployment among Fresh
Graduates: A Case Study in Klang Valley, Malaysia. International Journal of
Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(9).
https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v8-i9/4859
Howard, J., Huang, A., Li, Z., Tufekci, Z., Zdimal, V., van der Westhuizen, H. M.,
von Delft, A., Price, A., Fridman, L., Tang, L. H., Tang, V., Watson, G. L.,
Bax, C. E., Shaikh, R., Questier, F., Hernandez, D., Chu, L. F., Ramirez, C.
M., & Rimoin, A. W. (2021). An evidence review of face masks against
COVID-19. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(4).
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2014564118
Khalil, R., Mansour, A. E., Fadda, W. A., Almisnid, K., Aldamegh, M., Al-Nafeesah,
A., Alkhalifah, A., & Al-Wutayd, O. (2020). The sudden transition to
synchronized online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi
Arabia: a qualitative study exploring medical students’ perspectives. BMC
Medical Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02208-z
Khan, M. R. (2020). Covid-19’s impact on Fresh Graduate’s Job Market in
Bangladesh: An observational study. Journal of Business and Management
Studies, 2(1), 40–48.
45
Lane, C. (2022, May 9). Everything Students Need to Know About Virtual Internships.
Top Universities. https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-
advice/everything-students-need-know-about-virtual-internships
Lixar. (2021, February 4). Managing Digital Fatigue | How to Balance the Benefits &
Struggles of the Digital Day-to-Day. BDO Lixar. https://lixar.com/lixar-
blog/community/managing-digital-fatigue-balance-benefits-struggles-digital-
day-day/
Magtoto, K. (2020). Back-to-School: Challenges for the Philippines and responses
from around Asia. Asia Society. https://asiasociety.org/philippines/asian-
perspective
Mahmud, M. S., Talukder, M. U., & Rahman, S. M. (2020). Does ‘Fear of COVID-
19’ trigger future career anxiety? An empirical investigation considering
depression from COVID-19 as a mediator. International Journal of Social
Psychiatry, 67(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020935488
Mishra, N. P., Das, S. S., Yadav, S., Khan, W., Afzal, M., Alarifi, A., kenawy, E. R.,
Ansari, M. T., Hasnain, M. S., & Nayak, A. K. (2020). Global impacts of pre-
and post-COVID-19 pandemic: Focus on socio-economic consequences.
Sensors International, 1, 100042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2020.100042
Mokibelo, E., & Seru, L. (2020). Learning for Employment: Challenges Encountered
by Students. OALib, 07(07), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106549
National Economic and Development Authority. (2022, September 8). PH RECORDS
LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SINCE COVID-19 ONSET—NEDA
[Press release]. https://neda.gov.ph/ph-records-lowest-unemployment-rate-
since-covid-19-onset-neda/
46
Nightingale, M., Nightingale, M., Iakovidou, E., & Janta, B. (2020). Research with
schools and providers of career guidance services in Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough. Career Guidance in Schools. https://doi.org/10.7249/rr4491
Oscena, J. A. (2021, January 4). Transitioning to online learning in the Philippines
brings a world of challenges. ICF Foundation.
https://foundationoficf.org/transitioning-to-online-learning-in-the-philippines-
brings-a-world-of-challenges/
Peek, S. (2021, May 14). How the Travel Industry Is Pivoting During the Pandemic.
https://www.uschamber.com/co. Retrieved October 2, 2022, from
https://www.uschamber.com/co/good-company/growth-studio/travel-
companies-pivoting-in-pandemic
Petrie, C. (2020). Spotlight: Quality education for all during Covid-19 crisis. In
hundrED.
https://cdn.hundred.org/uploads/report/file/15/hundred_spotlight_covid-
19_digital.pdf
Refugia, J. (2021). Employment Status and the Challenges Encountered by
Criminology Graduates. International Journal of Educational Management
and Development Studies, 2(3), 101–120. https://doi.org/10.53378/348743
Reyes, Jerica et., al. (2021, December 16). COVID-19’s impact on jobs and education:
using data to cushion the blow. World Economic Forum. Retrieved October 3,
2022, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/12/this-is-how-to-use-data-
to-manage-covid-19-s-impact-on-jobs-and-education/
Shah, C., Chowdhury, A., & Gupta, V. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on tourism and
hospitality students’ perceptions of career opportunities and future prospects in
47
India. Journal of Teaching in Travel &Amp; Tourism, 21(4), 359–379.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15313220.2021.1924921
Sharma, N., Yadava, A. K., Aarif, M., Anandaram, H., Alalmai, A., & Singh, C. (2022).
Business Opportunities And Challenges For Women In The Travel And
Tourism Industry During Pandemics Covid-19. Journal of Positive School
Psychology, 6(6).
https://journalppw.com/index.php/jpsp/article/view/7157/4678
Subedi, N. B. (n.d.). Soft Skills as Employability Skills: Fundamental Requirement
for Entry-level Jobs. KMC Journal.
https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/kmcrj/article/download/29956/24041/8843
Suresh, M., Priya, V., & Gayathri, R. (2018). Effect of e-learning on academic
performance of undergraduate students. Drug Invention Today, 10, 1797–
1800. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327202545_Effect_of_e-
learning_on_academic_performance_of_undergraduate_students
UNESCO. (2020, August 7). UN Secretary-General warns of education catastrophe,
pointing to UNESCO estimate of 24 million learners at risk of dropping out.
https://en.unesco.org/news/secretary-general-warns-education-catastrophe-
pointing-unesco-estimate-24-million-learners-0
UNESCO. (2022, February 23). Global Education Coalition.
https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse/globalcoalition
UNICEF. (2020). GUIDANCE ON DISTANCE LEARNING MODALITIES. In TO
REACH ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH DURING SCHOOL CLOSURES.
UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia.
48
https://www.unicef.org/rosa/media/7996/file/Guidance%20Continuity%20of%
20Learning%20during%20COVID-1
WHO. (2020, January 10). Coronavirus. World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
WHO. (2022, October 13). COVID-19 vaccines. World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines
World Economic Forum. (2020, April 29). The rise of online learning during the
COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-
education-global-covid19-online-digital-learning/

Final Paper Chpater 1 3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Final Paper Chpater 1 3

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Final Paper Chpater 1 3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

i

Job Hunting Dilemma: Employment Challenges of BS

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

1.2. Background of the Study………………………………………...4-6

1.3. Problem Statement………………………………………………6-7

1.4. Theoretical Framework…………………………………………7-8

1.5. Conceptual Framework………………………………………....9-10

1.6. Research Objectives……………………………………………10-11

1.7. Significance of the Study………………………………………11

1.8. Scope and Limitations………………………………………….12

1.9. Definition of Terms…………………………………………….12-15

II. Chapter II……………………………………………………………16-32

2.1. Local Literature…………………………………………………16-21

2.1.1. The Coronavirus Pandemic………………………….16-18

2.1.2. Education during Pandemic………………………….18-20

2.1.3. Employment Challenges Encountered by the Tourism

Graduates during Pandemic………………………….20-21

2.2.1. The Coronavirus Pandemic………………………….22-25

2.2.2. Education during Pandemic………………………….25-29

2.2.3. Employment Challenges Encountered by the Tourism

Graduates during Pandemic………………………….29-32

III. Chapter III…………………………………………………………...33-40

3.1. Research Design………………………………………………...33

3.2. Sampling Design………………………………………………..33

3.3.Data Collection Method………………………………………...34

3.4.Development of Research Instrument…………………………..34-39

3.5. Statistical Treatment of Data…………………………………..39-40

gave a big impact globally. In a two-year mark of experiencing pandemic in the

the imbalance within education and employment.

Online classes have become a primitive method of learning in 2020 in which a

engagement influences the students' performance outcome. In addition to the above

stated information, A student's involvement improves when there is cooperation and

connection throughout the process of learning and besides, it builds up satisfaction,

attain employment directly after finishing the degree.

The researchers aim to know the employment challenges in seeking jobs of

more on selling experience. However, because of the pandemic, skills and

1.2. Background of the Study

which is COVID-19 is a human-to-human virus transmission that is confirmed by the

the Philippines is in a critical situation during that time. As a result, immediately

through the internet meeting.

in view of the epidemic. Mobile learning is the way to go to keep on studying.

According to De Guzman (2021), after 20 months of lockdown and preventive

instruction has led to a significant experiment in life.

be able to qualify for a job in the tourism industry.

1.3. Problem Statement

has a big impact in the tourism industry.

of BS Tourism Management graduates of batch 2020 to 2022. Due to the Coronavirus

experience are an essential and contributing factor in delivering excellent service to

tourism industry, as most of the tourism-related companies temporarily closed down,

tourism industry is one of these.

Therefore, if these problems concerning the future professionals and employees of

1.4. Theoretical Framework

attitude one has in terms of job employment or finding a job.

academic performance, personality and technical skills. Employment performance is

motivational skills, teamwork and problem-solving skills. The overall graduate

online-graduates face in seeking for a job.

1.5. Conceptual Framework

difficulties do BSTM graduates of 2020-2022 experience when finding a job.