Interpretive Investigation of the Science-Related Career Decisions of Three African-American College Students

Reports published since 1977 indicate that African Americans are underrepresented among Ph.D.-holding scientists. Although researchers have identified numerous factors that correlate with career choice, they have failed to address studentsʹ reasons for choosing or not choosing science and science-related careers. This study examines the career decisions of three African-American college students. All three students began college aspiring toward science-related careers. However, by the end of data collection only one student was working toward a science-related career. Data were collected by means of eight, open-ended, I-hour interviews conducted over a period of 6 months. Findings indicate that studentsʹ interest in a science-related career is directly related lo the degree to which they perceive that career as being supportive of deep-sealed life goals; and that a deeper view of the nature of science better enables students to perceive a science-related career as supportive of life goals.