The Equity Ethic: Black and Latinx College Students Reengineering Their STEM Careers toward Justice

This article describes the study of career aspirations of high-achieving black and Latinx undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students and uncovers a concern for helping others—an equity ethic. A lack of racial and ethnic diversity persists in STEM education and industries; consequently, the inspiration of black and Latinx students in STEM warrants exploration. Data were collected from 38 black and Latinx STEM students using semistructured, life-story interviews. Students’ desire to help others indicates a need to revisit the emphasis on financial success in STEM fields. Furthermore, results point to the need for STEM education programs that present broader STEM career possibilities, including careers that integrate social justice, empathy, and equity matters.