Student Mobility and Its Influence on Employability Skills in the Marketing Field

Abstract

This study examined the influence of student mobility experiences on the employability skills of marketing students. Conceptually, the study was anchored on the premise that student mobility programs serve as experiential learning opportunities that enhance employability competencies and career readiness. A descriptive-quantitative research design was employed involving marketing students and recent graduates of the Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology who had completed verified academic or professional mobility programs. Respondents were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a validated, structured survey questionnaire and analyzed using weighted mean, ranking, and hypothesis testing. The findings revealed that respondents experienced a high extent of participation in academic-based mobility, internship-industry mobility, cultural and experiential exposure, and virtual mobility programs. Student mobility was also found to have a high extent of influence on technical or hard skills, soft skills, leadership and professional skills, global and cultural competence, and career readiness. Financial constraints emerged as the most significant challenge affecting participation in mobility programs. Overall, the findings indicated a significant positive relationship between student mobility experiences and employability outcomes. The study concluded that student mobility contributes substantially to strengthening the employability skills, professional confidence, career readiness, and workforce competitiveness of undergraduate marketing students. It recommends strengthening academic partnerships, expanding institutional support and funding opportunities, enhancing mobility program implementation, and aligning mobility initiatives with workforce demands. The study supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education by promoting experiential learning and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by enhancing graduate employability and workforce readiness. Its sustainability impact lies in providing empirical evidence to support curriculum enhancement, institutional mobility initiatives, and the development of a more competitive and resilient workforce.