The Journal of the Southern Association for Information Systems
Publication Name
The Journal of the Southern Association for Information Systems
First Page
60
Last Page
71
Abstract
This study utilizes an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the career trajectories of information technology (I.T.) graduate students and professionals of color. Building on individual differences theory in the initial quantitative phase, data from a national survey of 356 STEM graduate students and professionals of color (Black, Indigenous, and Latino) were analyzed to investigate intersectional differences among I.T. and non-I.T. STEM graduate students and professionals by race/ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic characteristics. Findings suggest differential impacts of COVID-19 on I.T. graduate students and I.T. professionals. Among STEM graduate students, financial strain significantly affected their career plans, whereas among professionals, gender was a significant predictor. Qualitative evidence from I.T. respondents clarified quantitative findings. I.T. graduate students (n=239) were more concerned about research setbacks and career instability, while I.T. professionals (n=117) were concerned with setbacks in professional roles and networks, work/life stability, and increased desires for entrepreneurship.
DOI
doi:10.17705/3JSIS.00027
Recommended Citation
Monroe-White, T., & McGee, E. O. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 on the Career Trajectories of Black, Indigenous, and Latinx IT Graduate Students and Professionals. The Journal of the Southern Association for Information Systems, 9, 60-71. https://doi.org/doi:10.17705/3JSIS.00027