POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

“ANALYZING THE FACTORS AFFECTING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES OF

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION GRADUATES IN LAW OFFICES WITHIN

METRO MANILA”

Presented to the Faculty of Parañaque Campus

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Parañaque City, Metro Manila

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Office Administration

by:

Guillermo, Alona S.

Marañon, Angela Marie B.

Patoc, Charmaine Leigh P.

Urzo, Mariel S.

2025

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Philippine Copyright 2025

by the Authors
and the
Parañaque City Campus
Polytechnic University of the Philippines

All rights reserved. Portions of this manuscript may be reproduced with proper
referencing and due acknowledgment of the authors

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CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

INTRODUCTION

One of the hardest decisions students face in life is choosing a career. This

decision is influenced by many different and interconnected factors. It is not an easy task

and involves a tough decision-making process. For decades now, fast changes have been

taking place in all facets of human life, including the office environment. This is because

of technological advancement. They have found that choosing a career can be a big and

often complex decision. It is not just about financial matters but also about making a long-

term choice that affects a student’s future. The change in the economy has brought about

great diversity in the job market. With the increase of competition in the market, companies

look for the best resources and utilize them effectively to be able to survive. Since the

success of the company lies in its human resources or personnel, the company seeks and

hires applicants who can meet the qualifications and requirements, and employees who

have potential for advancement and promotion.

A bachelor's degree program in office administration covers the practical skills that

one needs to work in an office environment, including the relevant computer software.

Students will learn about proper communication within business, basic budgeting,

financing skills, and general office procedures, among other things. Graduates of the

Bachelor of Science in Office Administration may pursue a career path in various legal or

medical companies. They may apply for roles such as a medical secretary, legal secretary,

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court stenographer, administrative staff, customer service representative, encoder, or

bookkeeper. During the fourth year of the program, students are required to attend an On-

the-Job Training (OJT) in various legal or medical companies. Students are allowed to

apply their knowledge and skills in an actual work setting. Usually, universities require

them to submit a written report on their tasks. learning experiences, and hours rendered.

Their work performance will also be evaluated by their immediate managers and will be

submitted to their respective OJT coordinators. The number of hours required may differ

in each university.

Most courses in a bachelor's degree program in office administration are designed

to teach students specific skills. Some examples of courses that you may take while

enrolled in this program include: Foundations of shorthand, personality development,

Basic Office Administration, Business report writing, Introduction to internet, Word

processing with documents production, Advanced shorthand, Principles of Public and

customer relations, Basic accounting, Basic finance, Principles of management, Principles

of Marketing, Human behaviour organization, Business Communication. In addition to

taking the subjects mentioned above, you may also undergo 600 hours of On-The-Job

Training that is divided into Basic Office, Medical, and Legal at a company or

establishment that can give you opportunities to put what you have learned in school into

practice. The BS in Office Administration does not have a board examination. However,

graduates may option to take the Civil Service Examination (CSE) conducted by the

Philippine Civil Service Commission (PCSC) to qualify for work in government offices.

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Some graduates have an option to take a master’s degree followed by a Doctorate to gain

expertise in the industry.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The study is anchored on Human Capital Theory. This theory was originally

developed by Theodore W. Schultz in 1961 and later expanded by Gary Becker in 1964

(Fadare, 2023). Human Capital theory emerged in response to the growing recognition of

the role of education and training in economic growth. Schultz introduced the concept as

a way of explaining how investments in education, health, and training could enhance

individual productivity and contribute to national development. Becker advanced this

theory by applying economic analysis to human behavior, emphasizing how individuals

and organizations make rational decisions to invest in people much like they would in

physical assets.

The theory gained prominence during the 1960s and 1970s as economists and

policymakers sought to understand the drivers of productivity and long-term economic

performance. Human Capital Theory posits that individuals possess knowledge, skills, and

abilities that can be enhanced through deliberate investment in education, training, and

development (Wuttaphan, 2017). It provides a foundation for understanding the relationship

between education, skills, and career opportunities. This theory can inform the analysis of

factors affecting career opportunities for office administration graduates in law offices.

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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The conceptual framework of this study draws on Becker’s Human Capital Theory,

posits that individuals possess knowledge, skills, and abilities that can be enhanced

through deliberate investment in education, training, and development. Office

Administration graduates seek employment in legal offices that align with their

competencies, while employers evaluate candidates based on how well their skills match

the demands of the organization, particularly in legal procedures, documentation, and

organizational tasks. Graduates who possess not only academic credentials but also

relevant hands-on experience, such as internships in legal settings, are more likely to

meet these core requirements, thus enhancing their employability and career prospects.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This research intends to examine the factors influencing the career opportunities
available to Office Administration graduates in legal offices located in Metro Manila. The
study specifically aims to address the following inquiries:

1. What is the demographic profile of the participants regarding:

- 1.1 Age,
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- 1.2 Gender,

- 1.3 Educational Background,

- 1.4 Years of Professional Experience,

- 1.5 Type of Legal Office,

- 1.6 Job Title?

2. What key skills do Office Administration graduates possess that are necessary for

obtaining employment in law offices, particularly in relation to:

- 2.1 Technical Skills,

- 2.2 Communication Skills,

- 2.3 Organizational and Administrative Abilities,

- 2.4 Legal Knowledge?

3. What challenges do Office Administration graduates face when pursuing careers in law

offices, specifically concerning:

- 3.1 Lack of Experience,

- 3.2 Limited Legal Knowledge,

- 3.3 Competence with Legal Software,

- 3.4 Familiarity with Court Procedures?

4. Is there a significant relationship between the identified factors (demographic profile,

essential skills, and challenges) and the career opportunities of Office Administration

graduates in legal offices within Metro Manila?

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HYPOTHESIS

These are the following hypotheses of the study:

H₀: There is no significant relationship between the identified factors (demographic

profile, essential skills, and challenges) and the career opportunities of Office

Administration graduates in legal offices within Metro Manila.

H₁: There is a significant relationship between the identified factors (demographic profile,

essential skills, and hindrances) and the career opportunities of Office Administration

graduates in legal offices within Metro Manila.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on identifying the factors that influence the career opportunities

of Office Administration graduates working in law offices located in Metro Manila. It aims

to explore areas such as the graduates' skills, education, work experience, and the

specific demands of legal environments. This will serve as the foundation for developing

a career opportunities program tailored for Office Administration graduates aspiring to

succeed in law offices.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will benefit the following group of people.

Administrator: This study is to ensure the efficient performance of all departments in an

organization. Acting as a connecting link between the senior management and the

employees.
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BSOA Graduates: It helps graduates understand their skills and qualifications law

offices want, so they can better plan their careers.

Employees: This study will greatly benefit them to easily adjust themselves to the duties

and responsibilities they must accomplish, specifically during work hours.

Future Researchers: This study gives future researchers useful information to explore

what helps Office Administration graduates get jobs. It can guide them in looking at other

factors that affect career success and help improve job opportunities for graduates.

Policy Makers and Training Providers: This study will help to design upskilling and

certification programs aimed at bridging gaps.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The essential terminologies used in this study were defined operationally in this

section.

Career Opportunities. It is the chances and possibilities for Office Administration

graduates to find, secure, and grow in jobs within legal environments.

Office Administration Graduates. These are individuals who have completed/

graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Office Administration.

Legal Knowledge. It is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of basic legal terms,

procedures and documents which are required through experience or education by

perceiving, discovering or learning.

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Technical Skills. It is the skill of a person that is proficient in using office and legal

software applications.

Organizational and Administrative Skills. It is the ability of a person to manage

schedules, files and legal documents.

Law Offices. It refers to the offices or organizations where the Office Administration

graduates can work and provide legal services, such as transcribing and recording legal

documents.

Lack of Experience. The limited or no practical exposure to legal office work, affecting

job readiness.

Legal Knowledge. Understanding of legal terms, documents, and basic law office

procedures.

Legal Software. Computer programs are used in law offices for managing legal

documents and client records.

Court Procedures. Standard processes followed in court, such as filing, documentation,

and hearings.

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CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Essential Skills for Law Office Employment

Technical proficiency is a fundamental requirement for Office Administration

graduates aiming to work in law offices. Dih (2023) highlights the evolution from manual

business tasks to the use of digital tools like spreadsheets, Excel, and specialized office

software. Alshammari (2022) emphasizes the importance of digital literacy and technical

skills, advocating for education and training programs that incorporate evolving

technologies. Kim (2020) found that graduates with strong technical skills have better job

prospects, indicating that office administration programs should prioritize digital literacy to

enhance employability. In legal settings, technical skills also include proficiency in

document processing, transcription, and record management (Journal of Organizational

and Human Resource Development Strategies).

Effective communication is crucial in law offices, where confidentiality and

accuracy are paramount. Keller and Martin (2020) stress that, while technical knowledge

is important, soft skills such as interpersonal and emotional intelligence are essential for

navigating the dynamic environment of law firms. Brown (2020) further emphasizes the

need for strong communication skills to maintain positive client relationships and facilitate

smooth workplace interactions. Idike (2022) notes that managing phone calls, calendar

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scheduling, and written correspondence are key communication tasks for office

administrators.

Organizational and administrative competencies are vital for managing the

complex workflows of legal offices. Office administrators must be adept at scheduling,

budgeting, and information management (Careercitystg, 2024). Joefer identifies

organizational skills, problem-solving, and technological proficiency as critical for Filipino

office administration graduates. Document management, record keeping, and efficient

handling of legal documents ensure that law offices operate smoothly and maintain

compliance with regulatory requirements. Law offices need admin and organizational staff

with top-notch skills in managing time and setting task priorities. These roles must handle

case files well, juggle various duties, and keep schedules on track. Lawyers rely on these

abilities to deal with legal papers, set up client meetings, and hit court deadlines. The

knack for handling heavy workloads under pressure and zeroing in on crucial tasks helps

keep the law office running while meeting the needs of clients and the firm(Prospects,

2021).

Legal knowledge, though not always a core component of general office

administration programs, is increasingly important for those seeking employment in law

offices. The American Bar Association (2022) and NALS (2022) highlight the growing

demand for office administrators skilled in areas like e-discovery, legal document

management, and court procedures. Understanding legal terminology, processes, and the

use of legal software are now considered essential competencies for office administrators

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in legal environments. Bryan (2022) emphasizes the essential skills in legal knowledge

that a law office employment should possess such as understanding legal terminology,

handling- case related paperwork, conducting research into laws and regulations, and

ability to write, read, and understand legal documents like affidavit and trial briefs.

Hindrances in Pursuing Law Office Careers

A major barrier for graduates is the lack of practical experience. Anjum (2020)

found that insufficient internship opportunities hinder the transition from academic learning

to professional practice. Internships serve as a bridge, connecting theoretical knowledge

with real-world applications, and are crucial for skill development and professional

readiness.

Many graduates lack specialized legal knowledge required by law offices. The

need for legal expertise, such as understanding court procedures and legal

documentation, is often unmet by general office administration curricula (Padilla, 2020).

This gap can limit employability in legal settings. Pursuing law office careers is challenging

due to lack of experience because of limited exposure to practical world, leaving them

unprepared for legal practices such as negotiating salaries, coping work- life stresses, and

networking (I, P., 2023)

Proficiency in legal software is increasingly important as law offices adopt

specialized tools for document management and e-discovery. Jackson (2022) notes that

graduates often face challenges in meeting industry expectations regarding technology

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and data analysis. Legal Support World (2024) highlights that one of the hindrances of

graduates is struggling to navigate the advanced digital tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis,

which are essential to legal endeavors. The ABA (2022) stresses the necessity for office

administrators to be skilled in using legal software to manage electronic evidence and

maintain data integrity.

A lack of familiarity with court procedures can be a significant obstacle. Padilla

(2020) emphasizes that deficiencies in transcription and listening skills can undermine the

credibility of legal proceedings. Graduates must be able to accurately follow and document

court processes to be effective in legal environments. The Harvard Business Review

(2022) focal points that limited exposure to real- world court procedures and training are

one of the significant barriers, leaving graduates and young lawyers to experience burnout

and stress due to inadequate mentorship and high- performance expectation in court

proceedings.

Synthesis of the Reviewed Literature and Studies

For graduates coming out of law school who are looking to find a job in law offices,

they need to develop certain combinations of technical skills, communication skills,

organizational skills, and legal skills that will enable them to fit in and be successful within

that unique environment. These technical skills have evolved from being manual to now

digital applications, including spreadsheets, document management systems, and law-

specific software (Dih, 2023; Alshammari, 2022; Kim, 2020). They are required both for

general office management and legal functions, including transcription, record keeping,
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and electronic discovery management (Journal of Organizational and Human Resource

Development Strategies; ABA, 2022).

Communication plays an important role in law offices dealing with matters of

confidentiality and precision. Soft skills, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills

should aid in developing efficient relationships with the clients and completing the loop

around the office (Keller& Martin, 2020; Brown, 2020; Idike, 2022). Moreover, constant

administrative excellence enables the staff to take on this heavy scheduling, budgeting,

and task prioritization under pressure, ensuring smooth operations of the whole office as

a team toward achieving deadline compliance (Careercitystg, 2024; Joefer; Prospects,

2022).

Furthermore, office administrators have to deal with an ever-increasing demand

for legal principles and procedures. Beware that knowledge of legal terminology, court

rules, and legal software such as Westlaw or LexisNexis will definitely be assets to

candidates and help keep the office going (ABA, 2022; NALS, 2022; Bryan, 2022).

Knowledge of law assists in the other functions of managing case pleadings, legal

research, and legal document drafting.

Traveling the narrow road of career options in law offices is fraught with the kind

of disadvantages that can blight a graduate's way toward success. Among these

disadvantages is the limited number of hands-on training and internship opportunities that

integrate academic study with practical training (Anjum, 2020). Some have faced the

hurdles of insufficient exposure to trial and courtroom settings along with experience in
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real working settings and modern legal technologies, which seem to undermine their

readiness and confidence (Padilla, 2020; Jackson, 2022; Legal Support World, 2024). All

the above refer to such blocks as contributing to the difficulty in learning. It gives rise to

another headache, that of negotiating the conditions of work, managing stress, and

meeting tremendous expectations, which might eventually lead to burnout (Harvard

Business Review).

Graduates are better placed to succeed in entry-level jobs in law offices if they are

trained in a comprehensive manner that includes technical knowledge, communications,

organization skills, and legal know-how, complemented by practical experiences involving

specialized legal tools and court practices.

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CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter explains the methods used to study what are the factors affecting

the career opportunities of Office Administration graduates in law offices within Metro

Manila. This study aims to collect information and ideas that will help create a program to

improve career opportunities for these graduates, specifically for those working in legal

offices. It aims to give a brief overview of the research design, the population and sample

size, sampling technique, statistical treatment, the profile of the respondents, instrument

used and data collection process.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This study used a descriptive quantitative research design to collect and

analyze numerical data collected from the survey questionnaire. This study will employ a

descriptive approach to give concrete pictures of situations and explain the difference in

responses based on the demographic profile, so that the Bachelor of Science in Office

Administration graduates can describe those factors affecting career opportunities within

law firms. The goal of descriptive research, according to McComber (2022), is to

characterize a population, situation, or phenomenon correctly and thoroughly.

POPULATION, SAMPLE SIZE, AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

The respondents/participants of this study are office administration graduates who

have tried to apply and are currently working in law offices. The study employed a

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purposive sampling technique. This non-probability sampling method was used to select

respondents who met specific inclusion criteria.

Thus, this research technique involved a high amount of ambiguity. The researchers

used sampling techniques to select a population who are office administration graduates

who have tried to apply and are currently working in law offices. The researchers used

380 people and added 100 for the possible quantity of uncertainty in survey questionnaire

responses. A total of 480 office administration graduates were the participants of this study

to identify the factors influencing the career opportunities of Office Administration

graduates in law offices within Metro Manila.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS

The respondents of this study were carefully selected to align with the objectives

of identifying factors influencing the career opportunities of Office Administration

graduates in law offices within Metro Manila. The respondents were the graduates of the

Bachelor of Science in Office Administration who have tried to apply and are currently

working in legal offices. These respondents were chosen as they had recently completed

their academic training and were entering the workforce, making their perspectives on

employability, preparedness, and career opportunities highly relevant.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

The researchers utilized a survey questionnaire as a research tool. The survey

questionnaire is made up of a series of questions that are arranged according to the

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variables of this study to collect information from the office administration graduates who

have tried to apply and are currently working in legal offices.

The researchers used a Likert Scale to evaluate the respondents’ assessment of the

factors affecting career opportunities, the skills, qualifications, and employment

hindrances required by legal offices, perception of graduates regarding the preparedness

for employment, and potential strategies to enhance employability. It provides five options:

strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree.

To sum up, the research questionnaire that was used in this study consists of 40

questions. The data has been evaluated by researchers to analyze the factors affecting

the career opportunities of office administration graduates in law offices within Metro

Manila.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

This study focuses on the factors affecting the career opportunities of office

administration graduates in law offices within Metro Manila. The researchers also reviewed

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relevant studies, literature, and articles to provide supporting context for the research.

Permission to conduct the survey was requested from the selected law offices via a formal

letter. After obtaining approval, the researchers distributed the survey questionnaires to the

chosen respondents. The data collected from the questionnaires were then tallied, analyzed,

and statistically evaluated to identify key factors affecting employability in the law offices.

STATISTICAL TREATMENT

1. Descriptive Statistics (Frequency)

The researchers used the frequency distribution method to display data that specifies

the percentage of responses that exist for each data point.

The percentage frequency is when the frequencies are shown as the percentage of the

overall frequency averaged to 100. This treatment is useful for measuring the response

of the participants in the researchers’ survey questionnaire.

Percentage formula:

Where:

p= percentage of quantity

x= quantity given

n= amount in total

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2. Weighted Mean

The weighted means will be employed to provide a more detailed understanding of the

respondents' ratings on various factors influencing employability among Office

Administration graduates. Unlike a simple mean, which treats all data points equally, the

weighted mean assigns different weights to each factor based on its relative importance

or influence on employability. This method ensures that more significant factors, such as

qualifications, skills, and work experience, have a greater impact on the final analysis,

leading to more reliable and valid conclusions about the perceived employability of

graduates in selected law offices within Parañaque City.

Formula for Weighted Mean:

Where:

W= Weighted Average

n= the total of items that will be averaged

ω_i= weights applied to x values

х_i= to be averaged data values

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3. Correlation

In this research, correlation analysis plays a pivotal role in understanding the

relationships between various factors that influence the career opportunities of Office

Administration graduates in law offices within Metro Manila. By employing Pearson’s

correlation coefficient, the study aims to quantitatively assess how demographic

variables—such as age, years of professional experience, and educational background—

correlate with the graduates' perceived employability in the legal field. Additionally, the

analysis will explore the connections between essential skills, including technical

proficiency, communication abilities, organizational skills, and legal knowledge, and the

challenges faced by graduates, such as inadequate experience and limited familiarity with

legal processes. By systematically analyzing these correlations, the research intends to

uncover critical insights that can inform educational strategies and professional

development initiatives, ultimately enhancing the employability of Office Administration

graduates in law offices.

VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY

To maintain the validity and reliability of the research instrument, the questionnaire

used in this research was validated through an extensive validation process. Content

validity was ascertained through expert review by Office Administration and legal practice

experts to ascertain if the items in the survey were clear, relevant, and in line with the

research goals. Pilot testing was also conducted using a few Office Administration

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graduates who were not part of the study sample. The feedback received helped clean up

ambiguous questions and improve clarity overall.

To ensure reliability, Cronbach's Alpha method was employed in the assessment of the

internal consistency of the survey items. For this study, a Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.70

and above was employed to ensure that the items in each of the survey sections all

measured the same things consistently. All these ensured the research instrument was

reliable and valid to measure the factors affecting career opportunities of Office

Administration graduates in law firms in Metro Manila.

Table 2. Reliability Test Result

VARIABLE NO. OF ITEMS CRONBACH RESULT

ALPHA

TECHNICAL SKILLS 3 0.843 GOOD

COMMUNICATION 3 0.774 ACCEPTABLE

SKILLS

ORGANIZATION AND 3 0.907 EXCELLENT

ADMINISTRATIVE
SKILLS

LEGAL 3 0.846 GOOD

KNOWLEDGE

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VARIABLE NO. OF ITEMS CRONBACH RESULT

ALPHA

INADEQUATE 3 0.846 GOOD

EXPERIENCE

LIMITED LEGAL 3 0.784 ACCEPTABLE

EXPERTISE

LEGAL 3 0.745 ACCEPTABLE

SOFTWARE
PROFICIENCY

COURT 3 0.842 GOOD

PROCEDURES

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Based on the results of the Cronbach Alpha Test that the researchers gathered from

their respondents, the survey questionnaire they used is ACCEPTABLE.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION

Throughout the research on the factors affecting the career opportunities of office

administration graduates in law offices within Metro Manila, the highest regard for the

participants was upheld. Before their involvement, respondents were provided with

comprehensive information about the study’s objectives, methods, and potential

outcomes, ensuring that their consent was obtained. Participation was entirely voluntary,

and participants’ freedom to withdraw at any time without facing any negative

consequences. Only those who volunteered to participate were included, ensuring no one

felt coerced into responding. Data collection was concluded once the required sample

size was achieved, preventing unnecessary accumulation of data. All personal information

collected during the study was managed with strict confidentiality and in full compliance

with relevant privacy laws and ethical guidelines established by the overseeing institution.

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CHAPTER 4

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

In accordance with the research questions, the collected data and evidence for the

study were presented, examined, and debated in this section after being subjected to

statistical measurements.

A. Demographic Profile

TABLE 4. AGE

Table 4 shows the age of the respondents, the majority of respondents (60.3%) are

between the ages of 20 and 29, indicating a youthful workforce mostly made up of recent

graduates or professionals in their early careers. This implies that many are still in the

process of accumulating experience and becoming used to the legal office work

environment. There are a considerable number of respondents with a few years of work

experience, as seen by 28.9% of respondents who are between the ages of 30 and 39.

The remaining responders, who are between the ages of 40 and 49 (5.8%) and 50 and

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59 (5.0%), are a smaller group of more seasoned workers. These numbers suggest that

although youthful talent is drawn to the sector, there are also a small number of senior

people doing office administration work in legal settings or changing careers. Anjum

(2020) claims that younger graduates frequently struggle with applying their skills and

adjusting to the demands of the workforce, which could account for some of the

employment issues discussed in later chapters.

TABLE 5. GENDER

The gender profile, as presented in Table 5, indicates the majority of female

respondents, with 77.4% identifying as female and only 22.6% as male. The tendency for

Office Administration programs to be dominated by women is reflected in this. According

to Albina and Sumagaysay (2020), office administration and related business programs

in the Philippines are generally dominated by women. This is consistent with their findings.

The high percentage of women in legal office administration may have an impact on

workplace dynamics and expectations, particularly in positions that call for strong

organizational, communication, and multitasking abilities—qualities that are frequently

culturally associated with female employees in Filipino office settings.

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TABLE 6. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

When it comes to education as shown in table 6, 95.8% of the respondents

have a bachelor's degree, whereas only 4.2% have a master's degree. As a result, a

bachelor's degree is typically required for employment in legal office administration. In

order to prepare students for law office positions, the Bachelor of Science in Office

Administration program usually incorporates hands-on training in office equipment,

communication, and administrative duties (King’s College of the Philippines, 2024).

However, the small proportion of people with graduate degrees also implies that office

administration graduates do not frequently pursue advanced legal education, perhaps

because access to or perceived necessity of such education is limited.

TABLE 7. YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

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Table 7 shows most respondents (71.3%) have less than three years of

professional experience, indicating that they are still learning about the industry. This

could be a factor in their difficulties applying their skills, confidence, and legal

knowledge. A smaller percentage (21.8%) have three to five years of experience,

suggesting that they are in a transitional stage and may be looking for more

specialization or advancement. The workforce is more stable and experienced, as only

a small percentage of respondents said they had seven years or more of experience.

The fact that many graduates are still developing the skills necessary to succeed in law

offices is supported by these statistics. Amoguis et al. (2020) highlighted the value of

On-the-Job Training (OJT) in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and

workplace competence, and this supports their findings. Additionally, the significant

number of early-career professionals emphasizes the importance of guidance and

opportunities for continuous learning.

TABLE 8. TYPE OF LEGAL OFFICE

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Table 8 shows that the respondents are widely distributed throughout different

legal offices. Most of them work in Regional Trial Courts (23.7%), followed by Law

Firms (12.4%), Court of Appeals (12.9%), and Municipal Trial Courts (17.6%). The

Supreme Court (5.5%), Corporate legal offices (3.7%) and private legal offices (4.5%)

have significantly fewer placements than law firms (12.4%) and notary offices (13.7%),

which show significant representation. The private sector's stricter hiring requirements,

which frequently call for specialized legal knowledge, familiarity with proprietary legal

software, and improved documentation accuracy, could be the cause of this (Legal

Support World, 2024). According to Bryan (2022), competitive legal workplaces are

increasingly seeking candidates with support skills that go beyond general office

administration.

TABLE 9. JOB TITLE

Table 9 shows the job titles of the respondents, and the majority (43.4%) are

administrative assistants, a role that demands excellent multitasking and organizing

abilities. Stenographers (11.1%) and legal secretaries (21.8%) also account for a large

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percentage, reflecting occupations that require knowledge of legal documents and

terminology. Receptionists, clerks, encoders, and a few paralegals are among the other

positions. Most graduates are assigned to support positions, which are crucial for the

smooth operation of law offices but may not always require in-depth legal knowledge,

according to this distribution, indicating possible areas for skill development.

Jobs like paralegals and legal researchers frequently call for extensive legal

knowledge or certification, which most office administration graduates might not have

unless they receive additional specialized training (Bryan, 2022).

B. Key skills do Office Administration graduates possess that are necessary for obtaining

employment in law offices, particularly in relation to:

TABLE 10. TECHNICAL SKILLS

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Table 10 shows the technical skills of office administration in a law office.

According to statistics, the respondents' knowledge in legal document preparation

received a higher weighted mean of 4.42 and interpreted as “Strongly Agree”. The next

highest weighted mean is 4.22, the proficiency in managing filing systems and utilizing

legal software and it is interpreted as “Strongly Agree”. The respondents reported

proficiency in using office productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, Google Suite) with a

weighted mean of 4.02 and interpreted as “Agree”.

Overall, there are 385 respondents who answered this survey and the weighted

mean for all technical skills is 4.22 which is interpreted as “Strongly Agree”. Technical

competence is important in law firms. Dih (2023) and Alshammari (2022) contend that

digital literacy, particularly in applications such as spreadsheets and document creation

software, enhances employability. In legal practice, this encompasses familiarity with

document management programs and case tracking software (Bryan, 2022). Your

findings indicate that your respondents have a solid technical background consistent

with these requirements.

TABLE 11. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

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Table 11 shows communication skills of office administration graduates in law

offices. Based on the gathered data the highest indicator is the ability to have strong

verbal communication skills when dealing with legal professionals and clients received

a weighted mean of 4.11 and interpreted as “Agree”. Next is the ability to draft clear

and concise legal correspondences with a weighted mean of 4.09 and interpreted as

“Agree”. The lowest indexes with the weighted mean of 3.89 are derived from handling

sensitive legal information and communication with professionalism which under

“Agree”. Overall, the weighted mean is 4.03, with a verbal interpretation of “Agree”.

Communication in legal environments has to be professional and accurate.

Keller & Martin (2020) point out that emotional intelligence and communications are

central to surviving delicate legal environments. Brown (2020) points out that clarity and

confidentiality are paramount in client-facing positions. Self-ratings by respondents

validate a good, not excellent, level of confidence in this area, indicating a requirement

for further polishing via workplace experience or soft skills training.

TABLE 12. ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITIES

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Table 12 shows the organizational and administrative abilities of office

administration graduates in law offices. Based on the data gathered, the indicator with the

highest weighted mean is managing schedules and appointments efficiently with a score

of 4.42 and interpreted as “Strongly Agree”. The next one which follows closely is

multitasking and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced legal environment with a weighted mean

of 4.36 and also interpreted as “Strongly Agree”. The lowest indicator that received a

weighted mean of 4.26 but still interpreted as “Strongly Agree” is the processing of legal

paperwork and filings within deadlines. The overall weighted mean is 4.35 which is

interpreted as “Strongly Agree” from the respondents regarding their organizational and

administrative abilities/skills in law offices.

Administrative proficiency is one of the essential demands in law firms, where

timely compliance with legal obligations is highly important. Prospects (2021) state that

legal staff support starts with efficient task prioritization and document management.

Joefer (2024) further notes that Filipino graduates from OA are supposed to handle time-

critical documents and client orders in a timely manner. The consistently high grades here

suggest that graduates are highly competent in this area.

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TABLE 13. LEGAL KNOWLEDGE

Table 13 shows legal knowledge of office administration graduates in law offices.

According to the data, the indicator with the highest weighted mean is assisting in

preparing, proofreading, and organizing legal documents with attention to confidentiality

and compliance with a score of 4.39 and interpreted as “Strongly Agree”. It is followed by

understanding and accurately using common legal terms and phrases relevant to office

documentation with a weighted mean of 4.34 which is interpreted also as “Strongly Agree”.

The lowest weighted mean at 4.29 but still interpreted as “Strongly Agree” is being familiar

with the standard procedures and workflows in legal settings. Overall, the weighted mean

for the legal knowledge is 4.34 which corresponds to “Strongly Agree”.

Bryan (2022) stipulates that knowledge of legal jargon, court procedures, and

document style is more and more demanded even for entry-level positions. Your

conclusion validates that the respondents perceive themselves to be competent in this

area, most probably because of their OJT exposure and curriculum learning, as

underscored by the American Bar Association (2022).

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C. Challenges of Office Administration Graduates in Law Office Careers

TABLE 14. LACK OF EXPERIENCE

Table 14 shows the challenges of office administration in terms of lack of experience

in pursuing a career in law offices. The highest indicator is the feeling of unpreparedness

for the demands of working in a law office upon graduation which has a weighted mean of

3.51 and interpreted as “Agree”. The next one is the lack of prior legal office made job

hunting difficult, it has a weighted mean of 3.22 which falls under “Neutral”. Legal offices

prefer candidates with prior legal specific training or experiences that have the lowest

weighted mean with a score of 3.12 but are still interpreted as “Neutral”. The overall

weighted mean for the lack of experience is 3.28 which is interpreted as “Neutral”.

Anjum (2020) emphasizes that a lack of practical exposure can hinder settling into

employment. Most respondents validate this by noting uncertainty in translating theoretical

knowledge into legal practice. The comparatively neutral response suggests mixed

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experiences, where graduates managed through internships, while others encountered

challenges.

TABLE 15. LIMITED LEGAL KNOWLEDGE

Table 15 shows the challenges of office administration in terms of limited legal

knowledge in pursuing a career in law offices. Based on the data, the highest indicator is

the struggle to understand legal terminologies and procedures due to limited background

in law with a weighted mean of 3.79 that falls under “Agree”. The next indicator is finding

it challenging to perform complex legal tasks confidently because of lack of training in legal

concepts with a weighted mean of 3.12 and interpreted as “Neutral”. The lowest indicator

shows that it is difficult to keep up with the specific legal requirements expected in law

office settings with a weighted mean of 2.36 which falls under “Disagree”. The overall

weighted mean of limited legal knowledge is 3.09 which corresponds to “Neutral”.

This suggests a deficit in specialized legal knowledge, even with assurance in core

terms. Padilla (2020) sees that most office administration curriculum do not include

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specialized legal topics. Therefore, graduates are comfortable at a core level but less so

with more specialized legal processes.

TABLE 16. COMPETENCE WITH LEGAL SOFTWARE

Table 16 shows the challenges of office administration in terms of competence

with legal software in pursuing a career in law offices. According to the data, the highest

weighted mean is 4.22, which needed additional training to improve legal administrative

skills and interpreted as “Strongly Agree”. The next highest indicator is learning legal-

specific software (e.g., case management, billing software) was challenging, it has a

weighted mean of 3.52 and interpreted as “Agree”. And the last indicator is gaining

sufficient legal knowledge for this role through undergraduate studies which has a

weighted mean of 3.20 and interpreted as “Neutral”. The overall weighted mean of

competence with legal software is 3.65 with a verbal interpretation of “Agree”.

Computer law software such as LexisNexis or e-filing systems are now the norm.

Jackson (2022) and Legal Support World (2024) emphasize that most graduates are

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inadequately equipped for these systems. The findings point out that there is some

awareness, but further training would be ideal.

TABLE 17. FAMILIARITY WITH COURT

Table 17 shows the challenges of office administration in terms of familiarity with

court procedures in pursuing a career in law offices. According to the data gathered, the

highest weighted mean is 4.38 which indicates that the respondents need extra training to

understand court documentation processes, the verbal interpretation for this is “Strongly

Agree”. The next with the highest weighted mean is the respondents were knowledgeable

about court filing and case tracking procedures with a score of 4.26 and interpreted as

“Strongly Agree”. The lowest indicator that has 3.85 weighted mean and interpreted as

“Agree” is handling legal paperwork required by courts and government agencies. The

overall weighted mean for familiarity with court procedures is 4.16 and interpreted as

“Agree”.

Courtroom effectiveness relies on comprehension of documentation and

procedural sequencing. Etulle et al. (2023) reinforces the importance of procedural insight
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for stenographers and legal assistants. Harvard Business Review (2022) cautions that

unfamiliarity can result in stress and mistakes. Respondents clearly identify their

requirement for greater exposure, specifically through internships or simulation learning.

D. Correlation Analysis

TABLE 18. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Table 18 presents the possible relationship between demographic profile and

career opportunity of office administration graduates in law offices. Results showed that
most of these demographic variables have no statistically significant relationship with
career opportunities. Particularly, age (r = .031, p = .547), educational background (r = -
.029, p = .576), organizational position (r = .041, p = .425), work experience (r = .096, p =
.060), and legal office type (r = -.054, p = .291) all showed negligible correlation
coefficients. The one demographic variable that returned a statistically significant outcome
was gender (r = .102, p = .046), but the strength of this relationship was small. These
findings would indicate that demographic attributes generally do not significantly influence
the career opportunity of Office Administration graduates within legal offices. For example,

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Aguilar and Torres (2023) reported a trend towards Philippine employers preferring
competency- and performance-based assessing techniques over age or education. The
same was observed by JobStreet Philippines (2022), which stressed that employers are
increasingly looking for job-ready skills instead of falling back on static demographic
variables. Such trends affirm that individual background factors are no longer leading
predictors of success, particularly in skill-intensive sectors such as legal administration.

TABLE 19. ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Table 19 presents the possible relationship between essential skills and career
opportunities of office administration graduates in law offices. Results show that the study
highlights the important impact that essential skills can have on the career opportunities
of Office Administration graduates. The four dimensions of key skill areas investigated—
technical, communication, organizational and administrative, and legal knowledge—were
all found to have positive, strong, and statistically significant correlations with career
opportunities. Among these, organizational and administrative skills were most strongly
correlated with (r = .800, p < .01), followed by technical skills (r = .754, p < .01),
communication skills (r = .610, p < .01), and legal skills (r = .572, p < .01). These results
support that acquisition and utilization of these mandatory skills contribute importantly to
the employability and professional development of a graduate in legal office settings. The

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strong correlation with organizational and administrative skills highlights the need for good
document handling, time management, and multitasking in legal administration. Technical
skills in office software and equipment, effective verbal and written communication, and
basic legal knowledge together support higher career progression. These findings confirm
that proficiency in core skills is a significant predictor of work success and should be
prioritized in academic education and training courses.

These findings are supported by research from Baguio Central University (2023),
which indicated that graduates with high ICT, communication, and workplace
management competency were most likely to be employed in office-based occupations.
Similarly, Torres et al. (2022) recognized communication and digital literacy as essential
employability skills for administrative support professionals in Metro Manila's legal
industry. Literature from around the world, including from the Legal Assistants Association
of Western Canada (2022), also underscores the significance of good technical and legal
writing skills in facilitating legal office operations.

TABLE 20. CHALLENGES AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Table 20 presents the possible relationship between challenges and career

opportunities of office administration graduates in law offices. The analysis also showed

that all identified workplace challenges had statistically significant relationships with career

opportunities. Inadequate experience showed a low correlation (r = .247, p < .01), implying

that while practical experience is important, its absence can be offset by strong skills.

Limited legal expertise demonstrated a substantial correlation (r = .549, p < .01),

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highlighting the importance of basic legal knowledge. More prominently, legal software

proficiency (r = .666, p < .01) and court procedures (r = .725, p < .01) both showed high

correlations, indicating that familiarity with digital legal tools and procedural understanding

greatly enhances job readiness. These findings reinforce the need for curricular

improvements, simulation-based learning, and legal office exposure to help graduates

overcome these challenges and succeed in the workplace.

According to Dizon and Magpantay (2023), graduates who undergo simulation-

based training and use actual legal office tools (e.g., LexisNexis, eCourts) report higher

employment success rates. Similarly, Reyes (2021) found that legal administrative support

staff who are familiar with court filing protocols and legal calendaring are significantly more

likely to be retained and promoted.

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CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary of findings based on the data gathered from the

study, the conclusions drawn, and the future direction offered by the researchers. The

research question for this study will be to determine the factors affecting career

opportunities of Office Administration graduates in law offices. The problem statement

seeks to explore the following questions: The problem statements seek to explore the

following questions:

1. What key skills do Office Administration graduates possess that are necessary for

obtaining employment in law offices, particularly in relation to:

1.1 Technical Skills

1.2 Communication Skills
1.3 Organizational and Administrative Abilities
1.4 Legal Knowledge

2. What challenges do Office Administration graduates face when pursuing careers in law

offices, especially concerning:

2.1 Lack of Experience

2.2 Limited Legal Knowledge
2.3 Competence with Legal Software
2.4 Familiarity with Court Procedures

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3. Is there a significant relationship between the identified factors (demographic profile,

essential skills and challenges) and the career opportunities of Office Administration

graduates in legal offices within Metro Manila?

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Office Administration is a vital field that ensures the smooth functioning of

organizations. Office administrators manage daily operations and facilitate

communication, serving as the backbone of any successful enterprise (Jill Wells, 2024).

This summary sought to explore and analyze the various factors that influence the career

opportunities of Bachelor of Science in Office Administration graduates.

1. Demographic Profile

The findings of the demographic characteristics of Office Administration graduates,

specifically their age, gender, educational level, work experience in years, type of legal

office, and job title with the following data:

Age

The study found that most of the respondents with the highest percentage of 60.3%

were between 20 to 29 years old, showing that most Office Administration graduates in

law offices are young professionals in the early stages of their careers. This group of age

groups indicates recent graduates with limited work experience may influence their

preparedness and adaptability to a legal setting.

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Gender

Based on the findings that the majority of the respondents with the percentage of

77.4% in terms of gender distribution were female, while the 22.6% were male. This

significant majority highlights the gender composition typical of Office Administration

programs in the Philippines, where female enrollees consistently outnumber their male

counterparts. It also mirrors the observed preference in some clerical roles that are often

female dominated in office settings.

Educational Background

Based on the findings, the study found that almost all the respondents (95.8%) had

completed a bachelor’s degree in office administration, while only a small portion (4.2%)

pursued further studies like a master’s degree. This suggests that a bachelor’s degree is

generally the standard educational requirement for entry-level positions in legal offices,

although having a higher degree may help in advancing career development.

Years of Professional Experience

The study found that a significant portion of the respondents (71.3%) had less than

three years of work experience, suggesting that many Office Administration graduates are

still new to the legal profession and are in the early stages of gaining the specialized

knowledge and skills needed for success in this field. Also, the data showed that only a

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small minority had more than five years of experience, indicating limited long-term

retention in legal office roles among the participants.

Type of Legal Office

The findings show that graduates were employed in a range of legal settings, with the

majority working in public organizations such as Regional Trial Courts (23.7%) and

Municipal Trial Courts (17.6%). Other significant workplaces included the Court of Appeals

(12.9%), Law Firms (12.4%), and Notary Offices (13.7%). These findings suggest that

government legal offices are the most common employment goal for graduates, possibly

due to the availability of civil service positions and the consistent need for administrative

support in the judicial system.

Job Title

As the data gathered, the most common job title among respondents was

Administrative Assistant (43.4%), followed by Legal Secretary (21.8%) and Stenographer

(11.1%). These positions are mainly administrative and support-oriented, requiring

competencies in scheduling, documentation, communication, and knowledge of basic

legal procedures. The data indicates that Office Administration graduates typically enter

the legal workforce through support roles that match the skills and training provided by

their academic background.

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2. SKILLS FOR LEGAL EMPLOYMENT

Technical Skills

The data found out of the total number of the respondents the highest indicator comes

from “I am knowledgeable in legal document preparation and formatting.” with a weighted

mean of 4.42 and a verbal interpretation of Strongly Agree. Followed by the weight of 4.22

which is “I am proficient in managing filing systems and utilizing legal software.” with a

verbal interpretation of Strongly Agree. The lowest indicator comes from “I am proficient

in using office productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, Google Suite).” with a verbal

interpretation of 4.02. In overall there are 380 respondents who answer this survey among

those respondents the overall weighted mean is 4.22 with a verbal interpretation of

Strongly Agree.

Communication Skills

Based on the gathered data the highest indicator comes from “I have strong verbal

communication skills when dealing with legal professionals and clients.” with a weighted

mean of 4.11 with a verbal interpretation of Agree. Followed by the “I can draft clear and

concise legal correspondences.” with a weighted mean of 4.09 and a verbal interpretation

of Agree. The lowest indicators with a weighted mean of 3.89 come from “I handle

sensitive legal information and communication with professionalism.” with a verbal

interpretation of Agree. In overall the total weighted mean is 4.03 and a verbal

interpretation of agree.

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Organizational and Administrative Abilities

The findings shows that the highest weighted mean 4.42 comes from “I can

manage schedules and appointments efficiently” with a verbal interpretation of Strongly

agree. Followed by “I can multitask and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced legal environment.”

with a weighted mean of 4.36 as verbal interpretation of Strongly Agree. The lowest

indicator is “I can process legal paperwork and filings within deadlines.” with a weighted

mean of 4.26 as the verbal interpretation of Strongly agree. The overall weighted mean is

4.35 with a verbal interpretation of Strongly agree.

Legal Knowledge

As the data gathered the highest weighted mean of 4.39 comes from “I can

assist in preparing, proofreading, and organizing legal documents with attention to

confidentiality and compliance” with a verbal interpretation of Strongly agree. Followed by

the indicators of “I understand and can accurately use common legal terms and phrases

relevant to office documentation.” with the weighted mean of 4.34 with a verbal

interpretation of Strongly [Link] lowest weighted mean of 4.29 comes from the

indicator that is “I am familiar with the standard procedures and workflows in legal settings,

such as filing court documents and managing case files.”with a verbal interpretation of

Strongly [Link] total weighted mean of the data is 4.34 with a verbal interpretation of

Strongly Agree.

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3. CHALLENGES IN PURSUING CAREER IN LAW OFFICES

Lack of Experience

Based on the data gathered the highest indicators come from “I felt unprepared for

the demands of working in a law office upon graduation.” with a weighted mean of 3.51

and a verbal interpretation of Agree. Followed by the weighted mean of 3.22 and a verbal

interpretation of Neutral as the indicator of “Lack of prior legal office experience made job

hunting difficult.” The lowest indicator comes from “Legal offices prefer candidates with

prior legal-specific training or experience.” with a weighted mean of 3.12 and a verbal

interpretation of Neutral. The overall weighted mean is 3.28 and a verbal interpretation of

Neutral.

Limited Legal Knowledge

The findings show that the highest weighted mean of 3.79 comes from “I sometimes

struggle to understand legal terminologies and procedures due to my limited background

in law.” with a verbal interpretation of Agree. Followed by “I find it challenging to perform

complex legal tasks confidently because I lack formal training in legal concepts.” with a

weighted mean of 3.12 as verbal interpretation Neutral. The lowest indicator is “I find it

difficult to keep up with the specific legal requirements expected in law office settings.”with

a weighted mean of 2.36 as the verbal interpretation of Disagree. The overall weighted

mean is 3.09 with a verbal interpretation of Neutral.

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Competence with Legal Software

Based on the findings the highest indicators come from the “I needed additional

training to improve my legal administrative skills.” with a weighted mean of 4.22 and a

verbal interpretation of Strongly agree. Followed by “Learning legal-specific software (e.g.,

case management, billing software) was challenging.” with a weighted mean of 3.52 and

a verbal interpretation of Agree. The lowest indicator comes from “I gained sufficient legal

knowledge for this role through my undergraduate studies.” with a weighted mean of 3.20

and a verbal interpretation of Neutral. In overall the weighted mean is 3.65 and a verbal

interpretation of Agree.

Familiarity with Court Procedures

As the data gathered the highest weighted mean of 4.38 comes from “I need extra

training to understand court documentation processes.” with a verbal interpretation of

Strongly agree. Followed by the indicators of “I am knowledgeable about court filing and

case tracking procedures.” with a weighted mean of 4.26 with a verbal interpretation of

Strongly agree. The lowest weighted mean of 3.85 comes from the indicator that “I can

handle legal paperwork required by courts and government agencies “with a verbal

interpretation of Agree. The total weighted mean of the data is 4.16 with a verbal

interpretation of Agree.

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3. CORRELATION ANALYSIS

Significant relationship between the identified factors (demographic profile,

essential skills and challenges) and the career opportunities

According to the results of the correlation analysis, the computed Pearson correlation

coefficient (r) is -0.438. This means there is a moderate inverse (negative) relationship

between the two variables being studied. The correlation is negative, indicating that as

one variable increases, the other tends to decrease. Since the absolute value of r = 0.438

is closer to 0 than to 1, this tells us that the association between the variables is moderate

to weak.

Relationship of Demographic Profile and Career Opportunities

According to the correlation analysis, gender demonstrates a slight yet statistically

significant influence on career opportunities. In contrast, other demographic factors such

as age, educational background, job title, professional experience, and type of legal office

show negligible and statistically insignificant effects. Overall, demographic characteristics

appear to have a minimal impact on the career opportunities of the study's respondents.

The finding supports the idea that in today’s legal work environment, employability is less

influenced by demographic factors and more influenced by skills and job performance and

it aligns with current hiring practices, where employers prioritize practical competencies

over personal background.

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Relationships of Essential Skills and Career Opportunities

The findings of the correlation analysis confirm that essential skills, especially

organizational/administrative and technical expertise, have a strong positive relation with

enhanced career opportunities. Each of the four skill areas show statistically significant

correlations, suggesting that higher levels of proficiency contribute to greater chances of

securing and advancing professional roles. These results highlight the key importance of

skill development in improving employability, especially among Office Administration

graduates and professionals in administrative and legal settings.

Relationship of Challenges and Career Opportunities

The data states that challenges related to legal knowledge, legal; software

proficiency, and court procedures significantly influence career opportunities. While

inadequate experience has a lower impact, it remains connected and related. These

findings strengthen the importance of direct training such as hands-on training,

internships, legal software exposure and enhance skills to address these gaps, especially

for individuals pursuing careers in legal and administrative fields.

CONCLUSION

The conclusions drawn from the study aim to provide insight into the various factors

such as skills, knowledge, qualification and competence that may influence the Career

Opportunities of Office Administration graduates in law offices, with specific attention to

how they adjust to legal practices, technological advancements, and administrative

demands in a professional legal environment.

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1. DEMOGRAPHIC

The findings of this research indicated that the demographic characteristics of Office

Administration graduates—specifically their age, educational level, job title, and work

experience in years—were not found to have a statistically significant correlation with their

career prospects in law offices in Metro Manila. An exception to this was a weak but

statistically significant correlation with gender, indicating a negligible influence in some

hiring or promotion situations. These results indicate that career prospects in the legal

profession are primarily established based on qualifications by skill and not on individual

demographic attributes. Law office employers seem to value competencies, technical

skills, and hands-on preparedness over the background. Thus, it can be said that success

in legal administrative positions hinges not on who the graduate is, but rather on what they

can do.

2. SKILLS FOR LEGAL EMPLOYMENT

In terms of technical skills, the respondents demonstrated a high level of

confidence and competence. Most graduates strongly agreed that they are proficient in

the preparation and formatting of legal documents—a core function in any legal

administrative role. Furthermore, many are adept in managing filing systems and

navigating legal software, which reflects a high degree of digital literacy. Their skills with

standard office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite were also

positively rated, though slightly lower, indicating that while foundational technology skills

are present, legal-specific technical tools may require further reinforcement. These

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findings support the argument that technical competence remains a fundamental pillar for

success in legal administrative work, particularly in the digital age where e-filing systems,

electronic court submissions, and document automation are becoming standard practice

in law offices.

In terms of communication skills, the respondents generally agreed that they

possess strong verbal communication abilities and can draft clear and concise legal

correspondences. They also reported feeling confident in managing confidential legal

information with professionalism. However, while their responses reflected overall

agreement, none of the indicators in this category reached a “strongly agree” level,

suggesting that while graduates have developed effective communication skills, there is

still room for improvement. In the legal sector, where communication accuracy and

discretion are critical, particularly in client-facing interactions or correspondence with the

judiciary, further development in soft skills such as clarity, tone, professionalism, and

empathy may enhance their performance.

In terms of organizational and administrative abilities, they were notably positive.

Graduates strongly agreed that they can manage schedules and appointments,

multitasking in fast-paced legal environments, prioritizing workloads, and ensuring legal

documents and filings are processed within deadlines. These responses reflect an

advanced level of administrative competence, which is essential in legal settings where

strict timelines and compliance with court schedules are non-negotiable. The ability to

manage time and tasks efficiently not only supports the daily operations of legal offices

but also contributes to reducing errors and enhancing service delivery. These findings
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confirm that BSOA programs are successfully instilling time management and

organizational capabilities in their students, equipping them well for the administrative

demands of law firms and courts.

In terms of legal knowledge respondents showed strong agreement in their

familiarity with legal terms, documentation processes, and confidentiality practices. They

rated themselves highly in their ability to assist with legal document preparation,

understand legal terminology, and manage legal workflows such as filing court documents

and tracking case progress. This indicates that despite not being law majors, Office

Administration graduates are absorbing sufficient legal literacy through either academic

coursework, internships, or on-the-job learning. However, it is worth noting that while they

feel prepared to handle routine tasks, more advanced legal competencies—such as

interpreting case law, performing legal research, or drafting complex legal pleadings—

may still fall outside their expertise.

3. CHALLENGES IN PURSUING CAREER IN LAW OFFICES

In terms of lack of experience, responses were mixed. Many graduates

acknowledged feeling unprepared for the professional demands of legal offices upon

graduation, though they remained neutral or uncertain when it came to how their lack of

direct legal office experience affected job-seeking efforts. This suggests that while

academic training provides foundational skills, real-world immersion through internships

or actual work experience remains a vital supplement. Respondents expressed a strong

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desire for more exposure to authentic legal settings before transitioning to full-time

employment.

In terms of limited legal knowledge, it also received a neutral overall rating.

Respondents agreed that they sometimes struggled with understanding legal

terminologies and procedures but did not universally perceive this as a major barrier. The

findings indicate that graduates may possess general awareness of legal practices but

lack confidence when faced with more complex legal concepts or tasks. This aligns with

existing literature suggesting that while BSOA programs introduce basic legal knowledge,

they often do not go deep enough to prepare students for specialized legal roles.

In terms of legal software proficiency emerged as a more pronounced challenge.

Graduates reported difficulty in learning legal-specific software, such as case

management tools and billing systems, and strongly agreed that they needed further

training to enhance their skills in this area. This emphasizes the importance of integrating

legal technology modules in the curriculum to close this gap, especially as law offices

increasingly adopt digital workflows.

In terms of familiarity with court procedures it was identified as a significant

challenge. Graduates expressed a strong need for more training in court documentation

processes and expressed less confidence in assisting with legal proceedings. While some

reported basic knowledge of filing and case tracking, the lack of real exposure to actual

court operations was evident. This finding underscores the necessity of expanding

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internship programs or offering simulated legal environments within schools, allowing

students to gain hands-on experience in legal workflows and court protocols.

4. Correlation Analysis

In terms of demographic factors, essential skills, challenges, and career opportunities

provided insightful conclusions. Most demographic variables such as age, educational

attainment, job title, and years of experience showed no significant relationship with career

opportunities, except for a weak correlation with gender. This suggests that employment

success in legal administration is less influenced by background and more reliant on

demonstrated competencies. On the other hand, essential skills, including technical,

communication, organizational, and legal knowledge—were found to have a strong and

statistically significant relationship with career success. The strongest correlation was

observed with organizational and administrative skills, reinforcing their centrality in legal

office operations. Likewise, challenges such as lack of software proficiency and

unfamiliarity with court procedures were found to be negatively correlated with

employability, confirming that addressing these issues can directly improve graduates’ job

readiness and performance.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the conclusions and findings of this research, the following

recommendations are offered to resolve the gaps and challenges noted in Office

Administration graduates' career opportunity in law offices within Metro Manila. These

recommendations are designed to improve the readiness, skill set, and employability of

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graduates by offering applicable and strategic steps to academic institutions, students,

and legal employers. Every suggestion is matched with the primary variables under

investigation in the research i.e., demographic variables, essential skills, challenges, and

career opportunities to ensure a complete strategy for enhancing graduate outcomes and

education training to meet industry demands.

1. Demographic Profile

While the study came across that the majority of demographic factors like age,

educational level, occupation title, and work experience years did not display a statistically

significant correlation with career prospects, there was a weak correlation in the case of

gender. While the impact was slight, it still highlights the importance of inclusive practices

in both educational settings and legal workplaces. It is suggested that gender-sensitive

policies and equal opportunity initiatives be adopted by employers and schools to

guarantee equal access to legal office employment for all graduates. In addition, career

development offices must give one-on-one career counseling regardless of demographic

background to enhance inclusivity and confidence in all students entering the workplace.

2. Essential skills

For enhancing the basic skills needed in law firms, academic institutions must

regularly revise and modernize the Office Administration curriculum. At the technical skills

level, it is necessary to equip students with legal document preparation training, filing

systems, and fundamental legal software tools. Simulated office tasks for the legal

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profession—like the preparation of affidavits, contracts, and case indexes—can enhance

technical preparedness.

For communication skills, schools must emphasize the teaching of professional

language, confidentiality practice, and concise client interaction techniques. Exercises

such as mock interview sessions, legal writing clinics, and client communication role-plays

can equip students with the confidence necessary in the workplace.

Regarding organizational and administrative skills, task management simulations

should be implemented to help students practice appointment scheduling, multitasking,

and deadline monitoring. Integrating digital tools like Google Workspace or task boards

can make this training more aligned with current office law practices.

To develop legal awareness, the course of study needs to incorporate topics in

legal office processes, court papers, and legal jargon. Students would stand to gain from

studying and interpreting actual legal documents, solving case simulations, and interacting

with legal experts via seminars and visiting speakers. Collaborations between universities

and law firms can also offer avenues for gaining greater insight into office processes.

3. Challenges Faced by Graduates

The research established that several challenges constrain graduates'

employment in law firms, including a lack of experience, restricted legal knowledge,

unfamiliarity with legal computer programs, and court protocol. In response to the

insufficiency of experience, it is advisable to increase internship programs and adapt them

to legal environments. Students ought to be assigned to real law firms or legal divisions to
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experience real-life exposure. Scholarly institutions should also form linkages with courts,

law firms, and government offices to offer hands-on internships and mentorship.

To bridge gaps in legal knowledge, students should have increased exposure to

learning legal systems and procedures through simulated classroom exercises and case

studies. Having legal practitioners as resource speakers and granting legal research or

document preparation assignments will enhance students' exposure to the language and

format of legal work.

As far as legal software competence is concerned, institutions should incorporate

case management and document automation tool training into their computer and office

systems courses. Providing certification, online modules, or demonstration access to legal

tech platforms will enable students to gain practical skills prior to job placements.

For process familiarity, the students must participate in activities like mock filing,

court visits, and simulations of documents. Mandatory "Court Orientation Day" during

internships would provide students an opportunity to see actual courtroom settings and

envision procedural flow, finally increasing their confidence and readiness.

4. Correlation Analysis

To expand career prospects for graduates in Office Administration for careers in

law firms, aligning academic training with employer requirements is a must. Universities

need to develop stronger career linkages, making connections with law firms, legal

departments, and courts to provide greater opportunities for internships and job

placements. Organizing career fairs with legal employment themes and bringing alumni
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working in legal careers as guests can also assist present students in networking and

preparing for these professions.

It is also suggested that students be trained not only in technical skills, but in job-

seeking techniques—like crafting legal resumes, practicing interviewing in law firms, and

showcasing workplace professionalism. Career centers should provide specialized

support for legal career tracks, including mock interviewing and job-readiness training

specifically designed for the legal sector.

In addition, the employers must be aware of the potential of Office Administration

graduates by offering distinct career progression paths, entry-level legal administrative

positions, and upskilling opportunities. Law firms are urged to have internship-to-hire

programs to convert capable interns into permanent employees, benefiting both the

graduate and the employer.

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 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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