An Engineering Journey: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study of African-American Engineers\u27 Persistence

This transcendental phenomenological research study examined the perspectives and lived experiences of African-American female engineers related to the factors that led to their persistence to enter, persist through, and remain in the field. The study was guided by four research questions: (a) How do K-12 experiences shape African-American female engineers\u27 decisions to enter the STEM field? (b) What persistence factors motivated African-American female engineers to enter the engineering profession? (c) What are the factors that shape African-American female engineers\u27 persistence to progress through postsecondary engineering programs? (d) How do professional experiences shape African-American female engineers\u27 persistence in the field? Cognitive interviewing techniques were used to validate data collection instruments. Interviews, focus groups, and timelines were used to collect data aimed at capturing the essence of the phenomenon of African-American engineers\u27 persistence. The data was analyzed using Moustakas\u27 (1994) phenomenological data analysis methods. The findings indicated that early academic experiences and achievement shaped participants\u27 decision to enter the engineering field. Environmental factors, intrinsic motivation, support systems motivated participants to persist through postsecondary programs and to enter the engineering field. Further research is needed to examine the early academic experiences that encourage African-American females to enter engineering. In addition, research is needed to examine the barriers that lead to attrition of African-American females in engineering