Acculturation and Career Aspirations within Hispanic Communities: Investigating the Impact of Culture and Identity on College Completion and Representation within STEM
Presentation Type
Poster
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Edurne Beltran de Heredia, Languages and Intercultural Studies
Major
Languages & Intercultural Std
Presentation Abstract
According to a Pew Research Center report from April 2021, Hispanic people only make up 8% of workers in STEM and only 12% of Hispanics who receive a bachelor's degree, choose STEM. This study aims to understand and investigate the contributing factors of low representation of Hispanics in Stem such as the lack of educational resources, lack of opportunities, language barriers, and discrimination. This research will compare first-generation immigrants to Hispanics born and raised in the US in order to identify differences in cultural values and beliefs in relation to their career aspirations. It will also investigate the struggles of modern Hispanic students attempting to balance progression within their communities without sacrificing their ethics and principles aiming to break social and cultural norms. Examples of challenges faced includes socioeconomic factors, such as immigration status which may impede even getting a job, stereotyping, which causes self-doubt, lack of mentors, due to a large percentage being first-gen, and workplace culture, which may not be inclusive. This study's relevance is due to the importance of addressing systemic barriers and promoting equity within STEM.
Start Date
12-4-2023 4:00 PM
End Date
12-4-2023 6:00 PM
Disciplines
International and Intercultural Communication | Modern Languages
Recommended Citation
Reyes-Campuzano, Antonio, "Acculturation and Career Aspirations within Hispanic Communities: Investigating the Impact of Culture and Identity on College Completion and Representation within STEM" (2023). Undergraduate Research Competition. 69.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2023/fullconference/69
Acculturation and Career Aspirations within Hispanic Communities: Investigating the Impact of Culture and Identity on College Completion and Representation within STEM
According to a Pew Research Center report from April 2021, Hispanic people only make up 8% of workers in STEM and only 12% of Hispanics who receive a bachelor's degree, choose STEM. This study aims to understand and investigate the contributing factors of low representation of Hispanics in Stem such as the lack of educational resources, lack of opportunities, language barriers, and discrimination. This research will compare first-generation immigrants to Hispanics born and raised in the US in order to identify differences in cultural values and beliefs in relation to their career aspirations. It will also investigate the struggles of modern Hispanic students attempting to balance progression within their communities without sacrificing their ethics and principles aiming to break social and cultural norms. Examples of challenges faced includes socioeconomic factors, such as immigration status which may impede even getting a job, stereotyping, which causes self-doubt, lack of mentors, due to a large percentage being first-gen, and workplace culture, which may not be inclusive. This study's relevance is due to the importance of addressing systemic barriers and promoting equity within STEM.