Revealing the Truth About Latina English Learners' STEM Career Decision-Making Process

• In Event: Diversity Factors That Impact Career Development

Abstract

Using an interpretive phenomenological design, we interviewed 15 Latina English Learners (ELs) who were pursuing or just graduated with a STEM degree at four universities to explore and understand Latina ELs’ career decision-making process and the wealth of resources, networks, influences, and thought processes that lead Latina EL students to select a STEM education and career path at a particular college or university. Framed within a combination of the Social Cognitive Career Choice Model and Community Cultural Wealth Model, this study found three key elements in Latina ELs’ career decision-making process: (1) self-efficacy beliefs, (2) outcome expectations, and (3) goal-setting behaviors. These three intricately linked variables are the basic building blocks in Latina ELs’ STEM career decision-making process.

Authors

• Karen Phillips, Loyola University Maryland
  Presenting Author

• Qi Shi, Loyola University Maryland
  Presenting Author

• Julius Davis, Bowie State University
  Presenting Author