Black, Queer, and Looking for a Job: An Exploratory Study of Career Decision Making Among Self-Identified Sexual Minorities at an Urban Historically Black College/University

Abstract

This thematically analyzed study seeks to explore the career decision perceptions of sexual minority college students at an urban historically black college/university (HBCU). This qualitative focus group study delved into how sexual minorities feel their visible variables of race, gender expression, and degree of disclosure influence their career thought process. Theories relative to the study included Krumboltz’s social learning theory of career decision-making, gender role theory, racial socialization, Cass’s homosexual identity model, and impression management. Though participants initially proclaimed they did not allow their sexual minority identity to affect their career decisions, their overall responses indicated otherwise.

KEYWORDS:

• sexual minorities
• career decisions
• HBCU
• queer
• intersectionality
• gender expression
• degree of disclosure
• minority stress
• racial socialization