Mediterranean Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences (MJBAS) Volume 9, Issue 2, Pages 131-143, April-June 2025 ISSN: 2581-5059 131 Lived Experiences of Criminology Graduates Balancing Work and Board Exam Preparation: A Phenomenological Study Mary Grace E. Daga 1* & Elma Fe E. Gupit 2 1 Southern Peninsula College, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. 2 Misamis University, H.T. Feliciano St. Aguada, Ozamiz City, Philippines. Corresponding Author (Mary Grace E. Daga) Email: ebomarygrace7@gmail.com * DOI: https://doi.org/10.46382/MJBAS.2025.9212 Copyright © 2025 Mary Grace E. Daga & Elma Fe E. Gupit. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Article Received: 05 March 2025 Article Accepted: 12 May 2025 Article Published: 23 May 2025 ░ 1. Introduction The journey to passing board examinations is a critical milestone for many students, symbolizing a pathway to professional advancement and societal recognition. This process presents significant challenges, especially for those balancing employment and academic demands. Working board examinees often struggle with limited time and energy, making resilience, determination, and resourcefulness essential for success. Studies highlight that resilience—the ability to adapt positively in the face of stress—plays a crucial role in navigating such pressures (Cheng, 2024; Curan et al., 2019). Achieving success in the Criminology Licensure Examination (CLE) represents not only a personal goal for aspiring criminologists but also fulfills a crucial role in maintaining the credibility of the country’s justice system. Republic Act No. 11131 imposing rigorous qualifications to guarantee that only capable and morally sound individuals join the profession. This commitment to high standards was evident in the February 2025 examination results from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), where 22,245 of the 36,768 candidates passed—resulting in a 60.50% national passing rate, a significant rise from the historical average of 34.5% (PRC, 2025). Among the top-performing institutions, Visayas State University Tolosa stood out, with 85.60% of their first-time takers passing the exam—highlighting the value of strong academic support systems (Craig et al, 2022). Additionally, managing multiple responsibilities has been shown to require resilience, which plays a key role in academic and licensure exam success (Canto et al., 2023; 2021; Alves et al., 2024). In the end, balancing work, study, and exam preparation requires resilience—a crucial factor in overcoming the pressures that come with this challenging process. ABSTRACT In recent years, the integration of work and board exam preparation has intensified due to economic demands and professional aspirations, significantly affecting criminology graduates' well-being and readiness for taking board examinations. This study gained insights into the personal experiences, adaptive strategies, and coping mechanisms of individuals managing both responsibilities simultaneously. The research was conducted in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte, where ten criminology graduates were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. A researcher-made Interview Guide was used to gather relevant data. Utilizing a qualitative approach with a phenomenological transcendental design, data were analyzed using Moustakas’ (1994) data analysis technique. Findings showed that participants faced significant chall enges in balancing work, review, and health, but managed to persevere through strategic time management, self-initiative, and strong family and social support. Flexible work schedules and encouragement from their support systems helped create a nurturing environment for both professional and personal growth. Thus, the integration of flexible work conditions, along with emotional and logistical support, plays a vital role in enabling board examinees to sustain their preparation and pursue their licensure goals. Keywords: Board Examinees; Board Exam Preparation; Coping Mechanism; Criminology; Motivation; Professional Growth; Sacrifices; Strength; Time Management; Working.