UNDERSTANDING THE CAREER DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF LGBTQ+ COLLEGE STUDENTS OF COLOR AT PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INSTITUTIONS IN THE SOUTH

Career indecision is common among many college students. College students that
identify as LGBTQ+ and students of color may experience greater difficulty in the career
decision-making process. Students belonging to minoritized racial and sexual or gender identities
often deal with the additional stress of managing their multiple marginalized identities. This
additional stress can have an impact on their career development and career choice. A total
sample of seven participants was selected for the study. Participants completed a semi-
structured interview detailing their experiences navigating identity negotiation as racial and
sexual minorities influence the career decision-making process as LGBTQ+ students of color,
within the context of a predominantly white institution in the south. Given the unique personal
and contextual factors, Social Cognitive Career Theory was used to better understand the
experiences of these selected participants. The findings should support existing themes that have
emerged when looking at the experiences of other marginalized groups and should provide
additional insight to inform more multiculturally competent career counseling.