Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Department
Learning, Leadership and Change
First Advisor
Laura Hallberg
First Committee Member
Rod P. Githens
Second Committee Member
Martin Martinez
Abstract
Underemployment has a rich and lengthy body of literature spanning across multiple disciplines, such as economics, business, psychology, and sociology. Past scholars studying the phenomenon have provided a framework for understanding underemployment and have identified the harm it has on organizations and individuals. Although underemployment is not a new phenomenon, gaps are present in understanding how it affects first-generation, Hmong graduates. This study provides a framework for bridging this gap. As such, this study answered three questions related to how underemployed, first-generation, Hmong college graduates describe their experience finding adequate employment after graduation, perceive the relationship between their personal upbringing and their education that effected their underemployment, and their challenges in regard to underemployment.
The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of underemployed, first-generation, Hmong college graduates and their perceptions of the primary factors affecting or influencing their underemployment. To achieve that goal, the researcher employed a generic qualitative methodology to examine the experiences of four first-generation Hmong graduates. Four umbrella themes emerged from study: 1) the practical disconnection between college and workforce application; 2) social capital inequality; 3) upbringing and underemployment connection; and 4) the reality of being underemployed as a first-generation Hmong graduate. With context supporting these themes, the researcher concluded with implications for action by suggesting strategies to innovate the college academic experience and academic support programs, as well as bring awareness to the Hmong community about underemployment.
Pages
112
Recommended Citation
Vang, Mong. (2020). Understanding the Experiences of Underemployed First-Generation Hmong Graduates. University of the Pacific, Dissertation. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3679
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
Rights Statement
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
