Impact of COVID-19 on the Career Trajectories of Black, Indigenous, and Latinx IT Graduate Students and Professionals

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.