Setting a Good Foundation for My Future: First-Generation Black Males Navigating the College Decision-Making Process

• In Event: School Counseling to Promote the Success of Black Youth: Critical Reflections on Theory and Praxis

Abstract

1. Objectives: In order to improve the educational pipeline in engineering, retention of Black males must start early in their postsecondary career. Little is known about the Black male engineering majors who are persisting in community college. Even further, in order to produce more Black male engineers, researchers and practitioners must understand the decision making process and the support system of Black male engineering majors and the reason(s) they chose to start at a community college rather than a four-year college or university. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to discuss the factors that shaped Black male engineering majors decision to enroll in a community college.

2. Perspective(s) or Theoretical Framework: Ecological system’s theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1981) is the theoretical framework for this study. Bronfenbrenner’s (1981) ecological systems theory suggests that individuals are influenced by their environment, thus impacting their behavior and how they view a context, a situation, and even the world. The five systems that influence human development are: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem.

3. Methods, Techniques, or Modes of Inquiry: The author will use a narrative approach to tell the stories and experiences captured by seven young men who participated in the study. Hays and Singh (2012) suggested using a narrative approach for telling the stories of marginalized groups. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA; Smith, 1996) was the approached used to identify themes, as the authors wanted to understand the participants’ decisions to pursue engineering in community college. As suggested by Smith and Osborn (2008), the authors and a colleague read the transcripts numerous times to become acclimated with participant experiences. Additionally, an auditor will be used to ensure trustworthiness.

4. Data Sources, Evidence, Objects, or Materials: The author interviewed seven Black males from a community college located in the southern region of the United States. All participants are engineering majors. Demographic data will be discussed. To note, pseudonyms were used to ensure participants’ identity remain confidential.

5. Results and/or Substantiated Conclusions or Warrants for Arguments/Point of View: The participants’ stories will centered will be centered on salient themes. The themes are a starting point for school counselors to prepare young Black males in middle and high school for college.

6. Scientific or Scholarly Significance of the Study or Work: The findings will provide direction for school counselors in college preparation for Black males. This paper will contribute research on understanding the systemic barriers that may hinder Black males from persisting in engineering in community colleges and even in K-12 educational setting. School counselors can facilitate the increased aspirations, motivation and encourage Black males to persist in STEM courses that lead to majoring in engineering. Moreover, there must be a consideration of the role that ALL educators play in the lives of Black males who want to pursue engineering. Also, this work will discuss how school counselors collaborate with parents and other significant others to cultivate engineering identity in the lives of Black males.

Author

• Erik Hines, Florida State University