Paving the Path to Permanence: Filipino HEI Instructors’ Experience of Balancing Work and Studies in Pursuit of Permanent Teaching Positions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajhp.v2i1.3363Keywords:
SUC Instructors, Job Requirement, Graduate Degree, HEIAbstract
While the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines mandates graduate degrees for college instructors, the lived experiences of these educators pursuing them amidst demanding schedules and unclear career goals remain under-researched. Hence, this study explored the lived experiences of SUC instructors pursuing graduate degrees as part of the minimum job requirement. Through online posting, a total of 12 participants were recruited from different state colleges and universities in the Philippines. Eight participants were interviewed in-depth, and the other 4 participants had focus group discussions. Themes emerged, focusing on challenges regarding time management issues, an overwhelming workload, and job security concerns. These challenges underscore the urgent need for interventions to support these educators. Regarding their coping mechanisms, they observed help-seeking behavior and strategic rest for well-being. As to their insights, institutional financial support transcends. Conclusively, the main essence of completing their graduate degree is to achieve knowledge to feel empowered and as a path to permanence. These themes highlight the need for a specific intervention addressing time management, career planning, help-seeking behavior, financial literacy, and motivation regulation.
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