percepción de estudiantes de bachillerato sobre la información recibida para elegir una carrera en la unidad educativa padre juan de velasco, las lajas.

Abstract

The present research analyzes the perception of high school students from the Padre Juan de Velasco Educational Unit about the quality of the information received to choose a university career. Deficiencies are identified in the vocational guidance mechanisms, marked by a fragmented structure and a weak connection between the Student Counseling Departments (DECE) and the universities. Factors such as family influence, the limited academic offering in the province of El Oro and the digital divide directly affect decision-making. Despite the importance that the majority attributes to this choice, a significant number of students express feeling ill-informed and unprepared to face this process. The study reveals that social networks and the Internet are the main sources of information, while institutional guidance is perceived as insufficient and ineffective. Interviews with teachers, parents and educational authorities show that current strategies, based on occasional talks and sporadic visits to universities, lack planning and depth. It is proposed to strengthen vocational guidance with the participation of specialists, greater coordination with universities, the use of digital platforms and the training of teachers and families to provide more effective support. Likewise, it is recommended to structure a comprehensive model that facilitates informed decision-making and reduces uncertainty, thus minimizing the risk of academic dropout.