Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Employment as a Career Pathway Among Senior High School Students: Perceptions from Urban Economies

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66133/3w240d03

Keywords:

career guidance, migration risks, Overseas Filipino Workers, student perceptions, urban economies

Abstract

This study examines the perceptions of senior high school students in urban economies towards Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) employment as a modern career pathway, considering the perceived conflicts between institutional messaging and documented migration risks. A quantitative correlational survey was conducted in two schools in Metro Manila migration hub cities selected through multi-stage cluster sampling, analyzing relationships in the domains of student perceptions, curricular, and reconciliation narratives involving risk acceptance.  The results reveal that students have a strong agreement that OFW work is both a proactive career choice (m = 3.58) and an economic necessity (m = 3.84). A strong correlation was revealed between school messaging, “heroism” framing, and global skills curricula (r = .58- .68). However, the agreement significantly declines when personal costs arise, involving contract risks, family strain, and underemployment (m = 2.77). Further analysis revealed that conditional endorsement is manifested in the normalization of migration, albeit accepted hesitantly.  The study recommends integrating Critical Migration Literacy into career guidance, as revealed by the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF). The Department of Education (DepEd) is positioned to be the policy entrepreneur to facilitate the bridging of ambivalence gaps without weakening OFW narratives. From here, a Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) theory-based career program is further proposed that covers five modules involving discussions of self-awareness, options (including both OFW benefits and risks), and CASVE-cycle decision-making, culminating in a career portfolio for individual counselling among students. Lastly, replication with larger urban-based samples is also recommended to validate and extend the conclusion.

Author Biographies

  • Kevin John Maddela, De La Salle University

    Kevin John A. Maddela, LPT, MA, MPA, is currently serving as a full-time faculty member of De La Salle University – The Academy (Philippines). He is a PhD Candidate in Development Studies at the same university with research interests in Public Policy, International Relations, and Social Science Education.

  • Jhon Mark Rosales, De La Salle University

    Jhon Mark M. Rosales, LPT is a faculty member and Service-Learning Mentor at De La Salle University – The Academy (Philippines), with teaching experience in social sciences, values education, and service-learning. His research interests include International Relations, Service-Learning, and Political Science, reflecting his commitment to integrative and transformative education.

  • Candice Chelsea F. de Castro, De La Salle University

    Candice Chelsea F. de Castro, RPm, RGC, is a Counselor of De La Salle University (Philippines) for Senior High School. In line with her research interests, she specializes in using evidence-based approaches in helping adolescents with mental health concerns such as emotion regulation, burnout, anxiety, academic motivation, and depression.

  • Sarah Bless Sanchez-Maddela, National University-MOA

    Sarah Bless C. Sanchez-Maddela, RPm, RGC, currently serves as the Guidance Senior Supervisor at National University-MOA (Philippines). She is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Far Eastern University with research interests in counselling and psychotherapy. She is currently affiliated with PGCA, PAP, and ECPA Inc.

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Published

2025-12-31

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Employment as a Career Pathway Among Senior High School Students: Perceptions from Urban Economies. (2025). Science & Technology Journal, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.66133/3w240d03