Undergraduate Thesis Bachelor of Science in Office Administration University of Rizal System, Rodriguez, Rizal 2024

This study investigates the on-the-job training (OJT) experiences of Office Administration graduates, emphasizing the challenges encountered, coping strategies employed, and benefits derived from these formative experiences.

Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the research engages six graduates as participants, whose insights provide critical data regarding the efficacy and relevance of the OJT program in preparing them for professional environments. The findings reveal a range of challenges faced by graduates, including difficulties in adapting to workplace cultures, aligning with task performance expectations, managing workload pressures, and acquiring essential technical competencies, particularly in software applications such as Microsoft Office.

In response to these challenges, graduates demonstrated resilience through various coping strategies including collaboration with peers, seeking mentorship, effective time management, self-directed learning, and stress management. The role of approachable supervisors and mentors emerged as instrumental in fostering the interns' confidence, facilitating their adjustment to workplace dernands, and enabling the refinement of their professional skills

Beyond the challenges faced, the study also highlights significant benefits gleaned from the OJT experience. Graduates reported the enhancement of critical soft skills, including communication, organization, and problem-solving, alongside the cultivation of resilience and adaptability within professional settings. Furthermore, opportunities for self-assessment and constructive feedback were essential for self-awareness and personal growth, underscoring their contribution to continuous improvement. The process of establishing professional networks emerged as a vital resource that continues to provide guidance and support during the transition to full-time employment.

Overall, the findings underscore the necessity for structured support systems, skill development initiatives, and mental health resources within OJT programs to effectively enhance the readiness of Office Administration graduates for the workforce. This study presents valuable implications for multiple stakeholders involved in OJT for Office Administration graduates. Graduates are encouraged to focus on developing not only technical skills but also communication and adaptability. Educational institutions are urged to enrich curricula with practical and workplace-aligned experiences through partnerships with Industry. Host companies are recommended to implement formal mentorship and feedback mechanisms to cultivate intern development, benefiting from the innovative perspectives that graduates bring. Future researchers are invited to expand upon these findings by investigating OJT experiences across diverse industries, particularly examining the impact of mentorship and digital competencies. Professional communities can utilize these insights to establish networking and continuous learning opportunities for recent graduates, while policymakers are encouraged to formulate initiatives that standardize mentorship, digital training, and mental health support services, thereby fostering a more adaptable and resilient workforce.