Female Community College STEM Student-Parent-Researchers Living in Poverty: Fear, Fulfillment, and Family

ABSTRACT

Community College student-parents shared their personal, academic, and career experiences in association with conducting and presenting psychological science (STEM) research. Raelynn began, I never would have imagined myself being into research … I would think that it would be kinda like my old self before school … Would have thought, oh that’s so hard, that’s like scientists’ kind of stuff … who knows how to do that kind of stuff? And, that’s math. Five qualitative themes evolved suggesting increased academic confidence, feelings of academic inclusion, improved self-worth, families interwoven with learning, and enhanced career pursuits. Annie emphasized her future working in mental health, “[mental health professionals] are always just learning something we didn’t know before … I think research will continue to be a part of my career.” A purposive sample (N = 2) was used to explore the specific nuances of these female, first-generation, STEM, student-parent-researchers living in poverty.