Women in the United States have long been underrepresented in computing science disciplines across college campuses and in industry alike (Hanson, 2004;Jackson & Charleston, 2012). This disparity is exacerbated when African American women are scrutinized. Additionally, prior research (e.g., Hanson, 2004;Jackson & Charleston, 2012;Jackson, Gilbert, Charleston, & Gosha, 2009) suggests a need to better understand this underrepresented group within computing-a field in dire need of additional skilled workers. Using critical race feminism and Black feminist thought as theoretical underpinnings, this study examined the experiences of Black female computing aspirants at various levels of academic status. In doing so, this research captures the unique challenges that participants experience in their respective academic computing science environments, as well as how participants navigate this historically White, male-dominated field.

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According to Pearson (2002), minority groups are not well represented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations. Among these underrepresented groups are African Americans. To ensure the economic vitality of the STEM workforce in the United States, it is imperative to broaden participation in STEM-related fields and computing sciences in particular (J. F. L. Jackson, Charleston, George, & Gilbert, in press; Moore, 2006;Pearson, 2002). Using the method of grounded theory, the author illuminates the experiences of African American computing aspirants at various levels of academic status (bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels). In doing so, this study identifies the key factors that contribute to study participants' successful pursuit of computing science degrees, thereby pointing toward implications for cultivating occupational choice and career aspirations. Study results include a heuristic model for broadening computing participation.

Purpose Self-efficacy and outcome expectations influence the development of career interests, which, in turn, affect career choices. This study aims to understand self-efficacy beliefs and expectancy outcomes for African-American graduate students and faculty with a focus in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degree programs, namely, the computing sciences. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of 23 African-American graduate students and faculty members in the STEM field of computing sciences. Findings This study reveals that in different stages of the STEM trajectory, self-efficacy of STEM and computing needs to be reestablished. This research captures a novel space in the self-efficacy literature, presenting self-efficacy as a mobile construct to be re-achieved as students’ progress toward advanced STEM degrees. In addition, this study asserts that the contribution and input of teachers, parents, mentors, counselors and peers has a deep impact on the level of self-efficacy and persistence in computing sciences. Originality/value Findings suggest a greater need for interventions designed to reestablish self-efficacy at each level (e.g. undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees) of the STEM educational trajectory in an effort to broaden STEM participation at the highest levels of degree attainment.

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