Asia Pacific Journal of Maritime Education, Vol. 5, June 2019 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 34 P-ISSN: 2423-2033 | E-ISSN: 2467-513X Behavioral, Environmental and Personal Factors that Influence the Preference of Maritime Students in Choosing College Degree Program Merlinda F. Pesigan, Alexander A. Gonzales, Jake M. Laguador Lyceum International Maritime Academy, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Batangas City, Philippines alexgonzales136@gmail.com Asia Pacific Journal of Maritime Education Vol. 5, 34-40 June 2019 P-ISSN: 2423-2033 E-ISSN: 2467-513X apjme@lpubatangas.edu.ph www.apjme.apjmr.com Abstract - This study sought to determine the factors that influence the preference of maritime students in choosing the college degree program. Descriptive type of research was utilized with 154 maritime students as respondents of the study from one private maritime institution in the Philippines. Results showed that environmental factor has higher level of influence to the decision process of the students in choosing a college degree followed by behavioral factor. Those from public SHS have significantly higher motivation to pursue the program because of their ambition and they feel more ready to face the challenges of the program than those students from private schools. those students from private senior high schools have personally chosen maritime as their college degree while those students from public senior high school have decided to choose maritime with their parents and other relatives. The findings of the study provides some insights on the career planning of the maritime students gearing towards the fulfillment of their profession. Advice of the parents is important aspect in developing the career of their children while the personal preference of the children must also be given equal value. Keywords: maritime students, career planning, descriptive research, Philippines INTRODUCTION A student preference in major field of study in college is being influenced by some factors that could be considered valuable in the success of their journey towards the completion the chosen degree program. Laguador (2014) mentioned that good career choice sometimes depends on how critical thinkers and keen observers the high school students are and how they really want to pursue a course in college. Most of them are still confused and undecided regarding what is the best course they are going to take and practice after graduation. Selecting a career path starts with the chosen college degree/program. Edmonds (2012) emphasized that the process of choosing a college major can be very convoluted and it is a cause of great anxiety, because for most it will likely be one of the most important life decisions they make. Wright (2018) studied the potential causes and effects of changing college majors at least once or multiple times which is very common behavior to students. The personal aspect of choosing college degree is also critical in the future success of students’ learning experiences towards the success of their future careers. Porter and Umbach (2006) mentioned about the alignment of students’ personality, interests, beliefs, and even political views in choosing a college degree is an essential component in order to have most successful outcomes which is called “Person- Environment Fit”. The author believed that students tend to choose areas of study where other students will be similar to them, share their interests and ideas, in turn providing them with a sense of belonging in their academic community. Feeling a lack of this belonging leads to discomfort and in turn dissatisfaction with choice of academic major. Most especially the maritime education where students are trained to be self-reliant and independent because of the nature of their duties and responsibilities away from their families. Personal choice of the maritime program could be a good indication that fulfilling their ambition would be a string foundation of their journey. Meanwhile, the involvement of environmental factor can also be considered an important aspect in the decision process of the students. Ghosh and Fouad (2016) studied the role of family influence on careers in the context of Asian parent–child dyad which include these factors: acculturation, cultural values, and conflict within the family. Considering the situation of the social environment on how maritime profession contributes to the economic growth of the society and country is essential aspect to explore in the study. Several studies emphasized the importance of