John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.

College of Business
Iloilo City

REASONS OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN ENROLLING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN

CRUISE SHIP MANAGEMENT

Chapter 1
Introduction to the Study
College course is a matter of choice. Choosing a course to study is an

intensive process since this is your passport to have a career in the future.

Though parents can suggest but the final decision is within an individual’s

determination, patience, and perseverance to finish the course he chose.

John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University is offering a Bachelor of

Science in Cruise Ship Management course is a four-year degree program

designed to prepare young men and women to be responsible members of the

society and productive and effective participants in the shipping industry within

the social framework of the country and international community of nations.

Attaining a job in the future is the justice of the sacrifices. The jobs

available for cruise ship management are hosts and hostesses, cruise directors

and staff, disc jockeys, performers, swimming instructors, and shore excursion

staff. These positions are considered the most glamorous on the ship, and are

probably the most sought-after jobs in the cruise industry.

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

Primarily, the school is the training ground for students to acquire hands-

on training and experience the real field of chosen career in the future. School’s

mission and vision is to provide an adequate training, nurture the child, guide

them in the correct path, and most importantly prepare them to become

competitive and productive citizen of the country.

This study will investigate the reasons of first year students in enrolling

Bachelor of Science in Cruiseship Management. The statement of the problems

will be answered why the students preferred to enroll cruise ship management

compared to other courses offered in John B. Lacson Maritime University-Molo.

Thus, this investigation will be conducted.

Independent Variables Dependent

Variables
BSCSM Students Reasons for Enrolling
BSCSM
*Place of Residence
*Sex
*Monthly Family Income

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram Showing the Relationship of the Variables

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

Statement of the Problem

This study will identify the reasons why first year students chose to enroll

in Bachelor of Science in Cruise Ship Management.

Specifically, this study will seek to answer the following questions;

1. What are the reasons of first year students in enrolling BSCSM?

2. How do these reasons rank?

3. What are the reasons of students when grouped according to place of

residence, sex, and monthly family income?

Definition of Terms

For the purpose of clarity and better understanding, the following terms

were defined conceptually and operationally:

Bachelor of Science in Cruise Ship Management (BSCSM)- a four-year

degree program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills

needed for a successful career in the hospitality operations part of a cruise, as

well as providing an essential understanding of elements relating to life and work

on a cruise ship.

In this study, it refers to as the chosen/preferred course of first year

students enrolled in JBLFMU first semester school year 2019-2020.

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

First Year-a student in a first year of high school or college (Merriam

Webster, 2019).

In this study, it refers to as the first year students enrolled in BSCSM

course first semester school year 2019-2020.

Enrolling-to enter (someone) as a member of or participant in something

(Merriam Webster, 2019).

In this study, it refers to as the choice of student in choosing a course of

study.

Reasons-a statement or fact that explains why something is the way it is,

why someone does, thinks, or says something, or why someone behaves a

certain way (Merriam Webster, 2019).

In this study, it refers to as the existing justification why first year

students chose to enroll BSCSM.

Significance of the Study

The data to be gathered in this study will be an aid to Bachelor of Science

in Cruise Ship Management to upgrade the facilities and instruction. In this way

they can attract more students to enroll in this course. Enhance and equipped
 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

with the newest trends in the field of cruise ship management as the students

will be grateful in their chosen path of career.

The outcome of this study will motivate and inspire the first year students

in choosing cruise ship management as the course of study. It will give guidance

and hint to the incoming first year students to choose cruise ship management

and in this way it will encourage more to enroll in this course.

The ideas to be obtained in this present study may help to the marketing

team of JBLFMU advertise the course and probe the issues concerned,

strengthen the beauty of the course and find solutions of the weaknesses as

well. Thereby it will result to the betterment and advancement of the school

itself in terms of activities, trainings to be conducted and mostly the quality of

graduates they have.

The JBLFMU management will continue to be the strongest, potential and

enduring institution preferred by the students and parents as well as the college

school for their children. Moreover, program head will effective and efficient

enough to implement this course as one of the center of excellence in this

institution.

From the result of this present study, this will be serve as their reference

guide in pursuing other related searches.

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

Delimitation of the Study

The respondents will be limited to 100 first year students enrolled during

the first semester of school year 2019-2020. The researchers will elaborate on

the reasons of first year students in enrolling Bachelor of Science in Cruise Ship

Management (BSCSM). Additionally it will discuss the factors that contributes on

the reasons of first year students of enrolling BSCSM.

All respondents will be requested to answer the researcher-made

questionnaire prepared by the researchers.

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

History of JBLFMU

John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University was founded by Capt. Juan

Bautista Lacson, a talented and hardworking master mariner in his time. It was

first established as a review school for marine officers in May, 1931 prior to the

establishment of Iloilo Maritime Academy in 1948.

At first it has only 60 enrollees, they offered a two-year course for cadets

in nautical profession leading to the acquisition of a Third Mate license for

merchant marine officers as well as reserved naval officers in the Philippine

Navy. By the time it was granted permit to operate in 1949, the school had 150

junior students and 54 seniors (Mosquito et.al., 2013).

The government granted a recognition and registered as a non-stock

corporation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Due to its

growing population, the Academy transferred locations many times before it

settled along Muelle Loney Street, Iloilo City in 1953. Activism, strikes, pickets,

and labor unrest in 1971 did not affect the Iloilo Maritime Academy to continue

its operation.
 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

In 1972, there was a change of administration of the institution in the

person of the Capt. Lacson’s youngest daughter, Mary Lou Lacson, who

happened to be welcomed and accepted by the union members. It was her

administration marked the beginning of the expansion of IMA to JBLCF-Arevalo in

1973, JBLCF-Bacolod in 1974, JBLCF-Molo in 1976-Puerto del Mar Training center

in Guimaras in 1995 (JBLFMU, 2010 as cited by Mosquito et. al., 2013).

Related Studies

As Nelson Mandela says, “Education is the most powerful weapon which

you can use to change the world.” Education is the key to eliminating gender

inequality, to reducing poverty, to creating a sustainable planet, to preventing

needless deaths and illness, and to fostering peace. Individuals are the one

responsible in making his future through education. The choices and decisions

we made is the key factor in having a bright future. College life is the most

struggling one because it is the preparation of your life.

A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces

and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of

teachers (Almeñana, 2017).

The curriculum of the Cruise Ship Management program calls for a

diversity of skills found in the different disciplines. It will be interdisciplinary in

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

nature and will provide students with concepts in hotel and cruise ship

management, tourism, foods and nutrition, bar and beverage, computer science,

accounting, marketing, mathematics, social science, communication and

languages. This program will also equip students the Basic Safety Course with

Personal Survival and Social Responsibility techniques, Ship Crisis and Crowd

Management on board ship in accordance of STCW code.

The program has educational objectives (PEOs) namely; within 3-5 years

of graduation, graduates of Bachelor of Science in Cruise Ship Management

should be able to: (1) manage different departments in culinary, food and

beverage service, housekeeping and front office operations to the shipping and

cruise industry and other hospitality business; (2) apply good customer service

skills in communicating with the industry customers and build rapport to the

hospitality industry partners/ stakeholders; (3) serve and lead the community

and the hospitality industry with excellence, respect, simplicity and loyalty; (4)

work with colleagues and hospitality business stakeholders in an efficient and

effective manner with the right knowledge, skills, and attitude; (5) creatively

build a benchmark of excellence in exploring the hospitality and cruise business

as venue for long-term growth as professionals; and (6) make a strong

relationship with the university as alumni to help further develop the program for

the next generation of hospitality and cruise professionals.

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

The program intended outcomes (PILOs) are at the time of graduation,

students should be able to: (a) maintain an attitude that deliver safe and secure

working environment in their different working areas; (b) build an effective and

good working relationships with customers, peers and superiors; (c) plan,

organize and control procedures to prepare and cook hot & cold meals in an

organized, efficient and safe manner; (d) expertly provide table service that is

expected of efficient and competent dining room manager and staff; (e)

proficiently plan, organize, direct & control the flow of housekeeping operations

in an organized, efficient & safe manner; (f) manage front office procedures with

skills, knowledge, and attitude required in the hospitality industry; and (g)

demonstrate good customer service skills.

Related Studies

Choosing a program in college is a complicated decision for students since

it determines the kind of vocation they intend to pursue in life (Malubay, 2015).

Numerous factors can affect a student’s decision in pursuing a career. One

of the factors that might affect one’s career choice is first, financial problem

knowing that the Philippines is a third world country. Ismail’s (2015) study on

the mediating effects of information on college choice indicated that students are

satisfied with college choice based on their information satisfaction with respect
 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

to financial factors (external influences) which include financial aids and

affordable fees.

Another factor would be the influence of the people around them as well

as through mediums like the mass media and word of mouth. Several studies

have proven that families and friends are the biggest influences in one’s life

choices. People tend to make decisions considering the perception of parents and

friends. Also, because of the innovation of technology in this generation, the

researchers now have access to almost everything in the Internet, so numerous

information found from different websites can also affect one’s perception about

something.

The last factor is the environment and other factors that include the

school and the personal interest of the student. A school’s reputation is

something a lot of students consider especially here in the Philippines. Many

universities and colleges offer the same programs but it all comes down to which

one is the most convenient for a student. Even with numerous influences about

choosing a program, a student normally decides on his own because no one will

benefit the decision other than the student himself (Malubay et. al., 2015).

According to the study made by Corey (2012), adolescents experience

increased pressure in making decisions and commitments that will affect the rest
 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

of their lives, and this includes choosing their career. In conclusion, students who

are under adolescence stage are experiencing pressure in terms of making

decisions that will affect the rest of their lives which includes choosing a career

that they would want to pursue.

Considering the economic factors by the study of Malubay et. al. (2015),

the respondents agreed that the economic factors indeed affect their decisions in

choosing programs to pursue in college. The researchers focused on are the

economically stable wages and the in-demand jobs after graduating though a

large part of the respondents did not agree with their families. The availability of

jobs has the largest weighted mean which only shows that this is one of the

factors students highly consider. College students maintain that one of the

mostly considered factors is the availability of jobs since they mostly look into

what could be their future employment choices after years of learning.

This is well reflected in a study conducted by Edwards & Quinter (2015),

wherein half of their participants agreed that in-demand jobs influenced their

program choice. These findings could imply that most students were driven by

the realistic feasibility of being employed in a stable job. The family could be a

big factor in influencing one’s choice but staying in the field of industry one’s

family is presently committed to might not be one of the factors considered by the

students. It is contrary to the statement made by McCann (2016) saying that

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

when your parents own the family business, your career decisions hit close to

home.

Social factors also affect the choice of career of the students. “My parents

helped me decide my course” gained the highest weighted mean with 2.98 and

ranked first among all the social factors (Malubay, 2015). The family especially

parents indeed play a vital role in the decision-making process of a student, a

parent’s point of view is always into consideration. This is a similar finding to

Finlayson (2015) who emphasized that students tend to follow their parents’

advice on choosing a course to take. However, the findings presented in the

study are contrary to Pascual (2014), and Alba, et al. (2014), who highlighted

that parental factor does not influence the decision of the students. Pascual

(2014) also stated that when it comes to course preference, not much are

affected by decisions of peer.

Environmental and other factors affecting the decision of freshmen

students in pursuing a college courses. Freshmen students consider the

environment and other factors in making a career choice. The findings show that

“The school has good reputation” and “The school offers quality education” that

mainly shows how the reputation of a higher education institution can affect their

decision. Numerous higher education institutions have established their own

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

images and own reputations in respect to offering high quality education and

students consider this factor in trusting a university. This notion is supported by

the work of Kee Ming (2014), who highlighted the most influential factor that

students will evaluate in selecting their choice was reputation of the institution. It

is also clearly stated that “I have connections in the university” is the least

considered factor which is contrary to the conclusion made by Smith (2014)

saying that establishing and maintaining external relationships with on and off

campus partners is a significant area of focus.

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

Chapter 3

Research Design and Methodology

A descriptive research will be used to conduct this study. This study

used the descriptive method of research in order to determine the

reasons of first year students in enrolling Bachelor of Science in Cruise

Ship Management. According to Calderon (2013), as cited by Alberto et al

(2018), descriptive method is also known as statistical research, it

describes data and characteristics about the population or phenomenon

being studied. This research method is used for frequencies, ranks and other

statistical calculations. Often the best approach prior to writing

descriptive research, is conducting a survey investigation. This method is

used to gather information in order to test hypothesis or to answer questions.

This study will determine the reasons of first year students in enrolling

Bachelor of Science in Cruise Ship Management (BSCSM).

The Respondents

The respondents will be the 100 first year students enrolled in BSCSM

school year 2019-2020. They will answer the questionnaires to be given by the

researchers.
 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

Table 1

Distribution of Respondents

Category n %

Entire Group 100 100%

Male 50 50%

Female 50 50%

Materials and Instrumentation

A researcher-made questionnaire will be used to gather data. The

questionnaire will consist of two parts.

Part I contains the personal information which will be answered by the

respondents of the study. Part II contains the reasons of first year students in

enrolling Bachelor of Science in Cruise Ship Management at John B. Lacson

Foundation Maritime University school year 2019-2020. The respondents will

check at the space provided before of every reason.

 John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc.
College of Business
Iloilo City

Data Collection Procedure

The data to be gathered will be subjected for analysis and computation.

The statistical tools to be used are frequency count and rank.

The frequency count will be used to determine the number of students

who will choose to check the certain reasons.

The rank will be used to indicate the position of a certain reason.