"I'LL FIND A WAY OR MAKE ONE": THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF HBCUs ON THE CAREER TRAJECTORIES OF EMERGENT BLACK PROFESSIONALS

This portraiture study explored the experiences of Black college students who were recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Through interviews and an examination of participant artifacts, the researcher investigated the relationship between campus environment, institutional culture, and the unique needs of Black students. Specifically, the study examined how support received both inside and outside the classroom contributed to career exploration, professional development, and successful transitions from college to career. The goal of this research was to document the lived experiences of participants, give voice to their perspectives, and understand how those experiences influenced postsecondary and career outcomes. An HBCU-based framework was employed to analyze the ways in which these institutions fostered student success. Drawing from literature on student development, cultural context, and Black student achievement, the framework emphasized the role of identity, community, and affirmation in academic and professional trajectories. The portraiture methodology allowed the researcher to center identity and institutional context as integral elements of the study, providing a rich and nuanced narrative intended to connect with readers both within and beyond academia.