DiplomaTec: An experimental and gamified tool that contributes to vocational guidance and career decision-making for high school students

Abstract

Currently, between 30% and 40% of students in Mexico choose the wrong academic program, and many drop out for this reason. Particularly at Tec de Monterrey, students go through an "exploration"phase during the first semesters that helps them receive more academic information and can even change to another program. The behavior of students at the School of Engineering (a school that represents 50% of the total number of students) was analyzed during 2019-2021. At the beginning of the study, during the exploration phase, about 26% of them switched from one academic program to another. Considering the studies that identify that the key for students to make a better career decision is related to is to be informed and advised, the DiplomaTec program was created, which is a tool for high school students where they can take lectures, workshops, orientation tests, tours, etc., that help them decide based on what they like and are passionate about. As a result of the implementation in this school at Monterrey Campus, during the last three years, the percentage of students who shift careers during their exploration phase (first three semesters) has decreased to 18%.