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Chandler, J. W. (2020). Balancing the Scales: A Critical Analysis of Career Mismatch and the Underrepresentation of Black Women in Stem. Retrieved from https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/2020_Summer_Fall_Chandler_fsu_0071E_16281
Diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce is in continual demand among underrepresented minorities and women. Of particular concern is the disproportionality low rates of Black women in STEM in relationship to their science and engineering (S&E) degree attainment and overall representation in the workforce. Studies traditionally have explored the underrepresentation of Black women in STEM within general analyses of women or underrepresented minorities, without considering the multidimensionality of the Black women and their barriers they may face due to the intersectionality of their race and gender. Considering personal-family characteristics, professional structures, race, and gender this study takes an in-depth analysis of the factors that lead to S&E graduates to unemployment or career mismatch, working in an occupation unrelated to one’s degree field. Applying an intersectionality approach and Oaxaca-Blinder variance decompositions analyses, this study gives attention to the career mismatch and unemployment outcomes of Black women and the reasons for these outcomes in comparisons to non-Hispanic White counterparts and non-Hispanic Black men. The results reveal that S&E degrees reduce career mismatch and unemployment, but not so much for Black women with S&E degrees. Race and gender are associated with unexplained career mismatch, and minimal unemployment variance occurred between race-gender comparison groups. Therefore, this study strengthens the implication for continued research, policy, and practice enhancements to address the underrepresentation of Black women in STEM careers.
A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references.
Advisory Committee
Toby J. Park-Gaghan, Professor Directing Dissertation; Patrick Mason, University Representative; Tamara Bertrand Jones, Committee Member; Brad Cox, Committee Member.
Publisher
Florida State University
Identifier
2020_Summer_Fall_Chandler_fsu_0071E_16281
Chandler, J. W. (2020). Balancing the Scales: A Critical Analysis of Career Mismatch and the Underrepresentation of Black Women in Stem. Retrieved from https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/2020_Summer_Fall_Chandler_fsu_0071E_16281