The pursuit of tech degrees for Black Men in the United States: Belonging and happiness, an individual differences study

How do the individual characteristics Black men possess, and the institutional characteristics encountered, influence IT degree pursuit and attainment? To address the research question, this work launched a qualitative interpretative investigation to identify factors affecting Black men pursuing IT degrees. A study was conducted in the mid-Atlantic and southern regions of the United States of America at three higher education institutions. The Individual Differences Theory of Gender and IT was used to analyze the lived experiences of 20 Black men beginning in 2013, and this analysis is ongoing. This manuscript focuses on a combined research question from the more extensive study. The result was a nuanced view of how Black men's characteristics (e.g., race, family, age, and IT identity) navigate obstacles and overcome roadblocks to enter the IT field. Specifically, this work identified the importance of acquiring relevant work experience before graduation through internships or undergraduate research experiences, as well as the often-overlooked role of advising, which is critical to retention of marginalized groups.