Bridging Classroom Learning and Workplace Realities: A Qualitative Inquiry into Work Immersion Experiences and Career Readiness Among Senior High School Students

Abstract

Work immersion constitutes an important component of the Philippine Senior High School curriculum, providing learners with opportunities to connect school-based knowledge with workplace practices. However, completing immersion requirements does not necessarily establish students' acquisition of professional competencies or readiness for occupational transitions. This qualitative inquiry examined the relationship between work immersion experiences and perceived career readiness among Senior High School students at Dilasag National High School, Aurora, Philippines. Anchored in Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory and informed by scholarship on workplace learning, the research adopted a qualitative descriptive approach to investigate how learners interpreted their assigned responsibilities, applied classroom competencies, encountered professional challenges, and evaluated their preparation for future careers. The study was designed around semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis. Five analytical areas guided the examination: classroom-to-workplace knowledge transfer, workplace adaptability, mentorship and professional learning, career confidence, and the alignment of school preparation with occupational expectations. These areas provide an interpretive structure for examining the educational significance of immersion experiences and identifying opportunities for improving workplace-based learning. The study emphasizes the importance of relevant workplace assignments, supportive supervision, reflective practice, and effective coordination between schools and partner institutions. Its implications concern the development of responsive immersion programs that recognize both the potential and the limitations of short-term workplace exposure in preparing students for future educational and occupational pathways.

Keywords: work immersion, career readiness, experiential learning, qualitative research, Senior High School, workplace learning, professional competencies, Philippines

Editorial verification required: The abstract's methods and findings statements must be aligned with the actual number of participants, completed research procedures, and verified interview findings before journal submission.