Paper Type
ERF
Abstract
The cybersecurity workforce faces a persistent diversity gap that undermines both talent supply and the heterogeneous perspectives essential for effective security practice. Despite growing urgency, empirical research centering the voices of underrepresented students in cybersecurity remains scarce. This study employs an exploratory qualitative inquiry to examine what factors influence the career choices of underrepresented students enrolled in cybersecurity programs. Semi-structured interviews with Asian, Black, and Hispanic students revealed five key themes: motivating factors, perceived confidence, institutional and cultural barriers, future career plans, and advice to aspirants. Findings surface the socio-technical nature of career access in cybersecurity, where institutional norms, cultural stigma, and absence of relatable role models constrain individual agency. These themes informed the selection of a guiding theoretical lens for Phase 2 survey-based testing. Implications are offered for higher education, industry, and policymakers.
Paper Number
1596
Recommended Citation
Rangarajan, Ann; Nobles, Calvin; Ghatak, Saran; and Parthasarathy, Ranga, "Why They Choose Cybersecurity: An Exploratory Inquiry into Career Choice and Barriers among Underrepresented Groups" (2026). AMCIS 2026 Proceedings. 3.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2026/sig_si/sig_si/3
Why They Choose Cybersecurity: An Exploratory Inquiry into Career Choice and Barriers among Underrepresented Groups
The cybersecurity workforce faces a persistent diversity gap that undermines both talent supply and the heterogeneous perspectives essential for effective security practice. Despite growing urgency, empirical research centering the voices of underrepresented students in cybersecurity remains scarce. This study employs an exploratory qualitative inquiry to examine what factors influence the career choices of underrepresented students enrolled in cybersecurity programs. Semi-structured interviews with Asian, Black, and Hispanic students revealed five key themes: motivating factors, perceived confidence, institutional and cultural barriers, future career plans, and advice to aspirants. Findings surface the socio-technical nature of career access in cybersecurity, where institutional norms, cultural stigma, and absence of relatable role models constrain individual agency. These themes informed the selection of a guiding theoretical lens for Phase 2 survey-based testing. Implications are offered for higher education, industry, and policymakers.
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