Employability measures how effectively our graduates transition into relevant employment. This subsection summarizes results from tracer studies covering graduates from 2019-2022, including employment rate, monthly salary range, place of work, job alignment with field of study and career progression.
Distribution of BS Civil Engineering Graduates and Respondents per Batch
The data shows the gathered responses from graduates of 2019 to 2022, with a total of 208 participants. Among these, 67 respondents came from the 2019 batch, which had 121 graduates, representing a response rate of about 55%. The 2020 batch had the highest participation, with 71 out of 140 graduates responding (51%), while the 2022 batch followed closely with 69 out of 135 graduates (51%). These figures indicate relatively balanced participation across the three major cohorts. In contrast, the 2021 batch was significantly underrepresented, with only one respondent out of 23 graduates. This was largely due to the K–12 transition, which resulted in a smaller graduating class that year, and the low response rate further limited their input.
Nearly half of the respondents remain at the bachelor’s level, relying primarily on their undergraduate training and licensure to establish careers. This aligns with the professional nature of civil engineering, where the undergraduate degree plus board examination often provides sufficient entry into the workforce.
Moreover, only a small portion pursued graduate studies, showing limited inclination toward advanced academic pathways. This may reflect financial constraints, career priorities, or the perception that postgraduate education is less immediately necessary for career progression in the field.
The largest share of graduates pursued additional certifications or specialized training. These include industry-recognized credentials such as safety officer certifications, TESDA NC II and master plumber licenses. This trend highlights the high value placed on short-term, practice-oriented credentials that directly enhance employability and align with industry or regulatory requirements.
Employability of MarSU BS Civil Engineering Graduates
Almost all respondents (97%) are employed within the Philippines, which demonstrates that MarSU Civil Engineering graduates contribute directly to the local and national workforce. This high proportion of local employment reflects the strong demand for civil engineers in domestic infrastructure, construction, and government projects. On the other hand, only 3% of graduates are working overseas.
The occupational distribution of MarSU Civil Engineering graduates reveals that the majority, or 74%, are employed in professional and technical roles, which is consistent with the expected career paths in the Civil Engineering field. Around 9% have advanced into managerial and supervisory positions, reflecting career progression and leadership opportunities within the industry. Meanwhile, 8% are engaged in regulatory and government roles, underscoring the vital contribution of civil engineers to public service and infrastructure regulation. A smaller portion, 2%, are in academic and research occupations, indicating limited participation in higher education and research-related careers. Additionally, 1% are in sales, marketing, and support services, and another 1% in entrepreneurial and consultancy roles, which suggests some diversification of career choices beyond traditional engineering practice. Finally, 5% fall under other occupational categories, reflecting the versatility of civil engineering graduates in adapting to different work environments. Overall, the data highlight that most alumni remain closely aligned with technical and engineering functions, with notable representation in leadership and government service.
The salary distribution of MarSU Civil Engineering graduates shows that the majority, or 53%, earn between ₱21,000 and ₱30,000 per month, which represents the typical entry to mid-level salary range for early-career professionals in the field. About 21% of respondents fall within the ₱31,000–₱40,000 bracket, indicating that a significant portion of graduates have already advanced to higher-paying positions. Meanwhile, 19% earn between ₱10,000 and ₱20,000, reflecting those in entry-level or regionally based positions where compensation may be lower. Smaller proportions of graduates earn in higher ranges: 2% each in the ₱41,000–₱50,000 and ₱51,000–₱60,000 brackets, 2% in the ₱61,000–₱70,000 bracket, and 1% earning ₱71,000 and above. This distribution highlights that while most graduates are clustered in the ₱21,000–₱30,000 range, there is clear evidence of upward salary progression, with nearly one-fourth earning ₱31,000 or higher, suggesting strong long-term earning potential in the profession.
The data on whether respondents’ current job is their first job shows that 35% are still in their first employment after graduation, while the majority, 65%, have already moved on to other jobs. This suggests that a significant number of MarSU Civil Engineering graduates experience career mobility, either by seeking better opportunities, higher compensation, or roles that better align with their professional goals. The fact that most graduates are no longer in their first job reflects the dynamic nature of the engineering profession, where early positions often serve as stepping stones toward more stable or advanced career paths. At the same time, the 35% who remained in their first job may indicate satisfaction with their initial placement, showing that some graduates were able to secure suitable and sustainable employment immediately after graduation.
The data represents the duration it took graduates to secure their first job after graduation shows varied experiences among respondents. About 24% were able to land a job in less than three months, reflecting strong employability and readiness for immediate absorption into the workforce. Meanwhile, 16% took three to six months, and 28% secured employment within six months to one year, indicating a moderate waiting period. Notably, the largest group, 32%, took more than one year before obtaining their first job. Overall, the results highlight both the program’s capacity to produce work-ready graduates and the need for strengthened career support services to help reduce extended job search durations.