CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND THEIR ROLE IN EMPLOYEE RETENTION STRATEGIES: CASE OF SAINT MICHAEL COLLEGE OF CARAGA

Abstract

Employee retention remains a critical concern in private higher education institutions where limited career advancement pathways may influence workforce stability. Anchored on Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, this study examined the role of career advancement opportunities in shaping employee retention strategies at Saint Michael College of Caraga. Specifically, it investigated professional development and professional career progression as motivator factors alongside compensation and benefits, job satisfaction, working conditions, and work engagement as retention mechanisms. An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was employed, wherein quantitative data were first collected from 115 teaching and non-teaching personnel using a validated 4-point Likert scale survey and analyzed through frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation, followed by qualitative written interviews subjected to thematic analysis to contextualize the statistical results. Findings revealed that career advancement opportunities and retention strategies were perceived to operate at a moderate extent, with professional development ranking highest among advancement indicators and working conditions emerging as the most influential retention factor. Correlational analysis indicated that age was the only demographic variable significantly associated with retention strategies (p < .05), while gender, type of personnel, years of service, salary, and educational attainment showed no significant relationship. Qualitative results further identified fair and motivating salaries, workforce well-being, and clear career trajectory planning as critical determinants of employees’ intention to stay. The study affirms the complementary influence of hygiene and motivator factors in sustaining employee commitment and underscores the need for integrated institutional retention frameworks in private higher education settings.