How Does Vertical Alignment Affect Your Academic and Career Choices in the Philippines?

Hello, people, how are you? I know you're super busy with what you love doing, but I hope that you will be able to spare a few minutes to respond to my query.

Deciding on a PhD Dissertation

My question is, when you plan to pursue a PhD, how do you decide on what your dissertation or thesis will be? Is it dependent on your master's degree thesis?

Educational Pathways and Vertical Alignment

Another thing, I noticed that a person who has a bachelor's degree in Engineering can have a master's degree in Organizational Development and a PhD in Economics. What makes me ask you about it is because, in the Philippines right now, the Commission on Higher Education is implementing what is called Vertical Alignment. This means if you have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, your master's degree should be an MBA, and your doctorate should be in Business Administration (DBA) or Management (DM), or else you cannot be allowed to teach in colleges and universities.

However, what I found to be a disadvantage in Vertical Articulation is that you're limited to one area. For instance, as a BSBA, MBA, and DM graduate, I can only be useful in one field, which is business, or else, I don't exist.

I hope to get a reply from you on my queries. Get back to me when you can. Thanks a lot, guys!

One must keep in mind that if you pursue a single direction and in one vertical, then if the market is not available, one's livelihood will be in question. As a matter of fact, I was forced to join B.Com. by my parents. To satisfy them, I completed that degree, and further, I did not turn towards any Accounting or Auditing line. I have done my PG in Economics, but there is no specific opening for my PG. Hence, I joined LL.B, and in addition to that, I have done PGDPM&IR, and at present, I am working as an IR Manager in a private organization.

Education and Career Path Choices

Basically, studies must be free of cost and as per the will and wish of the students. Parents or school authorities can guide them on what the study is meant for and the scope of education for fetching their livelihood. Then the student must be permitted to select his own line of study. If he excels in academics, he can be permitted to choose his own way of life (whether to opt for teaching as a profession, self-employment/business, or service).

Opinion on Vertical Articulation

In my opinion, sticking to vertical articulation is not advisable, and one will surely face difficulty if one selects the wrong route.

Regards