Demystifying Doctoral Education: How Latinas use Instagram to Uncover the Hidden Curriculum of Graduate School

• In Event: 41061 - Section on Latina/o Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1: Latinx in Higher Education: Experiences, Barriers, and Strategies for Success

Abstract

Despite increasing enrollment of Latinas in doctoral programs, structural inequalities and a lack of culturally relevant mentorship continue to hinder their academic trajectories, leaving many to seek alternative forms of guidance and support outside traditional institutional frameworks (NCES, 2021; Hernandez, 2015). This study draws on 30 posts from the academic Instagram page, Academic Latina, 57 interviews with its followers, and insights from 15 other Latina content creators, to explore how first-generation Latinas use Instagram to navigate the hidden curriculum of doctoral education, addressing gaps in institutional guidance and systemic barriers within academia. Thematic analysis finds that users and creators target knowledge and resources absent in formal academic structures to illuminate the hidden curriculum. Using the areas of funding, academic milestones ,and social connections, this paper highlights how social media serves as a tool where users share practical guidance, demystify doctoral milestones, and foster collective support. By illuminating the lived experiences and challenges of navigating doctoral programs, this study underscores the transformative role of social media in empowering underrepresented students to succeed in higher education.

Author

• Jennifer Cabrera, UC Irvine