Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The Work Immersion Program for Grade 12 students is a worldwide initiative that aims to

provide practical experience to students in various industries and occupation. According to

Agunbiade and Olayi (2020), Work Immersion Programs are being implemented in many

countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Philippines. The programs are

designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a particular industry or occupation,

which helps them acquire practical skills and knowledge that will be useful in their future

careers.

According to the Department of Education (DepED) in the Philippines, work immersion

program is a requirement for all senior high school students as part of the K-12 curriculum

(DepED Order No. 30, s. 2017). The program aims to provide students with hands-on

experience in real work environments related to their chosen field of study, preparing them for

the demands of the workforce.

During the program, students are required to complete a minimum of 80 hours of work

immersion in a field related to their course of study. They are expected to learn industry-

specific skills, develop good work habits, and gain practical experience in their chosen field of

interest (DepED) Order. 30, s. 2017). The work immersion experience may vary depending on

the type of industry or workplace the student is assigned to. Students may also be required to

complete a research paper or project based on their work immersion experience.

Overall work immersion program provides grade 12 students with valuable opportunity to gain

practical skills, learn valuable lessons, and make informed decisions about their future career

paths (DepED Order No. 30, s. 2017). It is a crucial step towards preparing them for the

workforce and giving them a head start achieving their career goals.

In Dolores National High School, Work Immersion Program specifically offered to students in

Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand. This program allows HUMSS students to
apply theories and concepts they learned the classroom actual work situations, such as in

government agencies, non-government organizations, private companies, and other relevant

industries.

Through the Work Immersion Program, HUMSS students in Dolores National High School will

have to opportunity to engage in hands-on learning activities, observe workplace practices and

procedures, interact with industry professionals, and development essentials workplace skills,

such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Additionally, the program also aims

to provide students with a better understanding of the expectations and demands of the

workforce and help them make informed career choices.

Overall, the Work Immersion Program is an important aspect of the HUMSS curriculum in

Dolores National High School, as it provides students with valuable learning experience that

prepares them for their future careers and empowers to become productive and responsible

members of society.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences of grade 12 students

during their work immersion program in Dolores National High School.

Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the benefits gained by the students of the HUMSS strand in Dolores National High

School from work immersion program in terms of their personal and professional development?

2. How does work immersion program at Dolores National High School prepare students for

their future careers?

3. What is the importance of work immersion for every high school students?

Scope and Delimitation

The scope of this study is focused on the experiences of the grade 12 students HUMSS strand

in Dolores National High School regarding their participation in the work immersion program.

This include examining their perception of the program, the skills and knowledge they
acquired, the challenges they encountered, and the impact of the program on their career goals

and plans.

The study limited to the grade 12 students of Dolores National High School who participated in

the work immersion program. The study will not cover the experiences of students who did not

participate in the program or those from other schools. The study will also not delve into the

experiences of the employers or the host organizations where the students had their immersion.

The study will only cover a specific timeframe, which is the period when the Grade 12 students

of Dolores National High School who participated in the work immersion program.

Significance of the Study

The generalization of this study can be highly significant and beneficial specifically to the

following:

Researchers. The benefit this study to us as a researcher is that we have a prior knowledge

about the work immersion program it will give us a better understanding about the work

immersion program.

Students. Play a significant role in work immersion as they are given the opportunity to gain

practical knowledge and experience in a professional setting.

Future Researchers. This study is also beneficial for future researchers because it might

provide them with ideas for their future research projects.

Teachers. As the one who have a huge part in the teaching-learning process, this study would

help them to reassert and focus more on their fields and subsequently cater a better learning

experience for students.

Parents. Play a crucial role in the study of work immersion, which refers to a period of

practical learning where students are placed in real work environments to gain hands-on

experience. Parent’s involvement and study of work immersion can significantly enhance the

learning outcomes, personal growth,and career development of their children

Definition of Terms
Experiences. Refers to the subjective encounters or events that grade 12 students go through

while participating in the work immersion program.

Work Immersion Program. Work immersion provides Senior High School learners with

opportunities to become familiar with the workplace, simulate employment, and to apply their

competencies in areas of specialization or applied subjects in actual work environment to

prepare learners for all curriculum exits.

Grade 12 Students. Refers to the students who are in their final year of high school are about

to complete their secondary education.

Chapter II
 Chapter 3

METHODOLOY

This part of research discusses the research design, respondents and locale of the study, ethical
considerations, reflexivity, research instrument, and data collection method.

Research Design

This study will employ a phenomenological research design. Phenomenology is the study of

essences, and accordingly, its treatment of every problem is an attempt to define an essence, the

essence of perception, and the essence of consciousness (Merleau-Ponty & Bannan, 1956). The

research takes on a constructive view in its attempt to describe the lived experience of the grade

12 students during their work immersion program in Dolores National High School. Hence this

phenomenology aims to explore and understand the lived experiences of Grade 12 students

during their work immersion program in Dolores National High School. Moreover, this study

will use a phenomenological research design, which concentrates on the study of the structures

of consciousness as experienced from a first- person point of view

Respondents and Locale of the Study

The researchers conducted their study at Dolores National High School. This school was chosen

because it offers the Work Immersion Program.

The study was conducted on a sample of 40 Grade 12 HUMSS Students from Dolores National High

School. 20 girls and 20 boys. The respondents were from the following classes: Grade 12 Hermes and

Hestia.

The researchers used Purposive sampling technique in which researchers select participants based on

their knowledge, skills, or experiences related to the research topic.

In this case, the researchers selected two grade 12 sections because they were part of the Work

Immersion Program. This allowed the researchers to collect data from students who were familiar

with the Work Immersion Program.

Research Instrument

Interviews will be used in knowing what the respondents think about the topic in this

research. The type of interview that will be used is an unstructured interview as the

researchers will be able to gain a better understanding of the challenges and experiences that

grade 12 student face during their work immersion program, as well how

Ethical Consideration

When conducting research on the lived experiences of Grade 12 HUMSS students during their work

immersion program in Dolores National High School, ethical considerations must be taken into

account.

Informed consent must be obtained from both the participants and their parents or guardians, and they

should be fully informed about the purpose, risks, and benefits of the study.

The confidentiality and anonymity of the participants must also be ensured, and their personal

information should be kept secure. The researcher should also be mindful of any potential harm or

distress that the study may cause to the participants, and should provide support and resources if

needed.

Additionally, the researcher should be aware of any power imbalances that may exist between

themselves and the participants, and should strive to maintain a respectful and equitable relationship

throughout the study.

By taking these ethical considerations into account, the researcher can ensure that the study is

conducted with integrity, respect, and sensitivity towards the participants.

Reflexivity

As researchers conducting a qualitative study on the experience of Grade 12 HUMSS students during

their work immersion program in Dolores National High School, it is important for us to acknowledge

our own biases and preconceptions. As individuals who have not personally undergone a work

immersion program in high school, we may have limited understanding of the nuances of the

experience.

To mitigate these limitations, we will approach the research with open minds and a willingness to

listen to the perspectives of the Grade 12 HUMSS students. We will also take steps to ensure that our

own biases do not influence the data collection process or the interpretation of the results. This

includes using open-ended questions during interviews, actively listening to the students' responses,

and analyzing the data objectively.

We will also disclose our roles as researchers to the participants and obtain informed consent before

conducting any interviews or data collection. This includes informing the participants of the purpose

of the study, the expected duration of their participation, and their right to withdraw their participation

at any time without penalty.

Data Collection Procedure

The data collection method for this study is a combination of qualitative research techniques,

including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

The researchers will make letters to ask permission to the school principal, advisers, students,

and parents to continue the study.

In-depth interviews will be conducted with each of the 40 Grade 12 HUMSS students to

explore their personal experiences and perspectives during their work immersion program.

The interviews will be conducted in a private setting to encourage open and honest

communication. The questions will be semi-structured to allow for flexibility and follow-up

questions.

Focus group discussions will also be conducted with groups of 5-7 students to explore

common themes and patterns in their experiences. The discussions will be moderated by the

researchers to ensure that all participants have an opportunity to share their thoughts and

opinions. The discussions will be recorded and transcribed for analysis.

The researchers will also gather data from school records and documents related to the work

immersion program, such as program guidelines, evaluation forms, and feedback from

employers. This data will provide a context for the students' experiences and help to validate

their perspectives.

The combination of in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis will

provide a comprehensive understanding of the Grade 12 HUMSS.