Engineering Identity Development for Men of Color During Cooperative Engineering Programs

• In Event: Barriers and Supports for Underserved Students

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study examines six men of color’s (MoC) engineering identity development through their participation in cooperative (co-op) engineering programs at a private, predominately white institution (PWI). Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Utilizing a conceptual framework based on ecologically-constructed identity, the findings yielded three themes around co-op experiences relating to the participants' multilayered identity as MoC and engineers. These themes are (1) co-op experiences as relating to MoC identity, (2) co-op experiences as relating to engineering identity, and (3) co-op experiences as relating to professional identity in the engineering field. This study highlights the ecological challenges that MoC encounter in engineering co-ops and sheds light onto the possible pathways for MoC into the engineering field.

Authors

• Christopher J Fornaro, Drexel University

• Katrina Struloeff, Drexel University

• Kimberly Sterin, Drexel University

• Alonzo Martice Flowers, Drexel University