Análisis de la intención de estudio de comercio exterior en estudiantes de bachillerato y su relación con la demanda laboral y la oferta académica de la UCSG, 2024 - 2026.

Abstract

This research analyzes the relationship between students’ intention to study the Foreign Trade program, labor demand, and the academic offering of the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG) during the 2024–2026 period. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, with a non-experimental and cross-sectional design, using surveys administered to high school students, interviews with stakeholders from the productive and academic sectors, and documentary analysis. The results revealed a favorable trend toward choosing the program, with an overall mean score of 3.79, mainly associated with expectations of employability and professional opportunities. The analysis of labor demand identified requirements related to technical, customs, logistics, digital, and strategic competencies. Likewise, the evaluation of the academic offering showed a favorable correspondence with students’ expectations and labor market needs; however, areas for improvement were identified in logistics and transportation, leadership, artificial intelligence, practical training, and dissemination of information about the program. It is concluded that students’ intention to study Foreign Trade is strengthened when they perceive a correspondence between employment opportunities and an academic offering that is relevant, updated, and connected to the needs of the productive sector.