EMPLOYABILITY SURVEY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

Tracer studies are essential in higher education as they assess graduates’ employability, career outcomes, and the effectiveness of academic programs. These studies provide institutions with valuable feedback for curriculum improvement and quality assurance. This study aimed to determine the employability of Mechanical Engineering graduates of the University of Cagayan Valley. A descriptive research design was employed involving Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering graduates from 2018 to 2024. Total enumeration sampling was used, targeting 299 graduates, of which 156 participated in the survey. Data were gathered using the Commission on Higher Education Graduate Tracer Study (CHED-GTS) questionnaire, enhanced by the researcher and the University of Cagayan Valley. Frequency counts and percentage distributions were utilized to analyze respondents’ profiles, employment status, job relevance, and competencies acquired during college. Content analysis was also applied to determine reasons for job changes. Findings revealed that 69.87% of respondents were employed, 16.03% were unemployed, and 14.10% were self-employed. Most employed graduates held jobs related to their degree, indicating that the curriculum effectively prepared them for professional practice. The study recommends conducting regular tracer studies to continuously monitor employment outcomes and support curriculum enhancement and program effectiveness.