The Academic Journey of Bangladeshi Americans in Higher Education: Understanding their College Major Decision Making

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Reimagining Educational Research for and with Asian Americans

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research was to understand the Bangladeshi American college graduate and their college major decision- making process. The population at focus was the Bengali community located in Los Angeles, California. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory and Critical Race Feminism, this pilot study investigated the lives of 6 Bangladeshi Americans and their college major decision-making processes. The paper analyzed how race, culture, family and gender help shaped one’s academic and career trajectory, specifically in the Bangladeshi American community of LA.

Keywords: Bangladeshi American, college major decision-making process, Social Cognitive Career Theory, Critical Race Feminism Theory

Author

• Ramisa Maliha Chowdhury, Claremont Graduate University