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Abstract

Although internships are common, few studies examine how these applied experiences shape undergraduate students’ self-concept, especially for minoritized groups such as women in computing. Using a possible selves framework and qualitative data collected before, during, and after women's computing internships, this study illustrates how participants constructed and updated concepts of their ought, feared, and ideal selves. Specifically, findings show how participants actualized ought selves driven by social expectations and peer cultures; navigated feared selves related to imposter phenomenon, loneliness, and unfavored career paths; and experimented with ideal selves through committing to career values and acting as agents for change. Findings offer implications for institutions and hiring organizations, with an aim toward promoting equity and opportunity in computing fields.

Keywords

gender race internships higher education career development

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Shaping Possible Selves: The Influence of Internships on Women's Career Paths in Computing

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Keywords

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