Bayombong – Employment opportunities, career stability, and potential income are the strongest considerations influencing Information Technology students when selecting their academic specialization. This finding comes from a study conducted by Sherilyn P. Tobias, Romeo P. Evangelista, and Michael R. Lacar from Nueva Vizcaya State University, published in 2026 in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR). Involving 62 first-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology students, the study found that career prospects and personal interests have a stronger influence on specialization decisions than family or social pressure.
Rapid digital transformation has increased global demand for professionals with specialized technological competencies. Companies no longer seek only workers with general computer knowledge. Modern industries require professionals in software development, computer networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and web and mobile application development.
These changes have also transformed Information Technology education. Universities increasingly offer specialized academic tracks that allow students to develop focused technical competencies. At Nueva Vizcaya State University, BSIT students can choose between Network Design and Management, known as NDM, and Web and Mobile Application Development, or WMAD.
Choosing between these specializations can influence students' learning experiences, technical competencies, and future professional opportunities. Understanding why students select a particular specialization is therefore important for universities seeking to improve curriculum planning, academic advising, and career guidance.
Tobias, Evangelista, and Lacar examined 62 first-year BSIT students at the College of Information Technology Education of Nueva Vizcaya State University, Bayombong Campus. Students evaluated four groups of factors that influenced their specialization decisions: personal factors, family and social factors, institutional and academic factors, and career and employment factors. The researchers also compared the responses of students enrolled in NDM and WMAD.
The findings showed that the identified determinants were generally highly influential, with an overall mean score of 3.83. Career and employment factors ranked first with a mean score of 4.21 and were classified as very highly influential. Students considered employment opportunities, salary expectations, career stability, and industry demand when selecting their specialization.
The result suggests that Information Technology students are becoming increasingly career-oriented. Rather than choosing a specialization simply because it appears interesting, students are evaluating how their education may connect with labor market opportunities and long-term professional development.
Personal factors ranked second with a mean score of 4.02. Students' interests, perceived abilities, confidence, and passion strongly influenced their decisions. Students who enjoy programming may be attracted to WMAD, while those interested in computer infrastructure and networking technologies may prefer NDM.
Institutional and academic factors ranked third with a mean score of 3.73. Curriculum content, faculty expertise, university facilities, and academic orientation influenced students' specialization decisions. These findings demonstrate that the quality of the educational environment remains an important consideration when students select an academic pathway.
Family and social factors recorded the lowest mean score at 3.36 and were classified as moderately influential. Parents, relatives, friends, and peers continued to provide advice and encouragement, but these influences were generally less important than students' career goals and personal aspirations.
The ranking table presented on page 2607 places career and employment factors first, followed by personal factors, institutional and academic factors, and family and social factors. This pattern demonstrates that students tend to prioritize professional opportunities and individual interests over external recommendations.
The researchers also identified an interesting difference between NDM and WMAD students. For personal factors, NDM students recorded a mean score of 4.08, while WMAD students obtained 3.98. The difference was not statistically significant. Career and employment scores were also almost identical, reaching 4.24 among NDM students and 4.19 among WMAD students.
A similar pattern was found for institutional and academic factors. NDM students recorded a mean of 3.78, compared with 3.67 among WMAD students. Overall, students from both specializations shared similar personal, professional, and academic considerations.
A statistically significant difference emerged only in family and social factors. According to the results table on page 2608, NDM students recorded a mean score of 3.65, while WMAD students obtained 3.09. Statistical analysis produced a p-value of 0.010, confirming a significant difference between the two groups.
The finding indicates that students selecting Network Design and Management were more influenced by family members, relatives, friends, and other social groups than those choosing Web and Mobile Application Development. Social recommendations and support may therefore play a greater role in the decision-making process of NDM students.
However, the researchers found no significant overall difference between NDM and WMAD students. The overall p-value of 0.196 indicates that both groups generally follow similar decision-making patterns. Career prospects and personal aspirations remain the strongest considerations regardless of specialization.
According to Tobias, Evangelista, and Lacar from Nueva Vizcaya State University, the results highlight the importance of career-oriented academic advising. Students need clear information about curriculum content, technical competencies, industry certifications, employment demand, and career opportunities associated with each specialization.
Universities may also integrate interest and aptitude assessments before students select their academic tracks. Such information can help students compare their personal strengths with the competencies required in Network Design and Management or Web and Mobile Application Development.
For families, the study suggests that guidance and encouragement should support students' individual interests and abilities. Specialization decisions based primarily on external expectations may create a mismatch between students and their chosen academic field.
The findings also carry important implications for Information Technology program administrators. NDM and WMAD curricula should be continuously updated to reflect emerging technologies and labor market demands. Students who clearly understand the connection between university learning and employment opportunities may develop greater confidence in their selected specialization.
As digital transformation continues to reshape employment, choosing an Information Technology specialization is increasingly becoming a career planning decision. The study shows that students already view future employment as their primary consideration. Universities must therefore ensure that information about technology trends, industry requirements, and professional opportunities is available from the earliest stages of students' academic journeys.
Author Profile
Research Source
Article Title: Determinants of BSIT Major Program Choice among First-Year Information Technology Students
Journal: East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), Vol. 5, No. 7, 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i7.247
Journal Link: https://journaleajmr.my.id/index.php/eajmr
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