Despite their educational and economic achievements in the United States, Asian Americans continue to be occupationally segregated in the labor force. Asian Americans are overrepresented in mathematics, engineering and biological sciences while underrepresented in field such as education, humanities, social and behavioral sciences (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010; National Science Foundation, 2007). This skewed distribution is problematic. It implies that Asian Americans have differential access to various occupations and may be restricted in their range of occupational choices. Although labor statistics continuously reveal this trend, there is a lack of available research on the career choice and development of Asian Americans to understand why such occupational segregation exists. Understanding factors that contribute to the occupational segregation of Asian Americans can add valuable information regarding the career choice process of Asian Americans. This knowledge can assist career counselors to offer more culturally sensitive career services and improve the effectiveness of career counseling with Asian Americans. This study utilizes the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) model proposed by Lent, Brown, and Hackett (1994, 2000) to examine the factors that could contribute to the career choices of East Asian Americans, a particular subset of Asian Americans. Specifically, this study investigates the influence of cultural and contextual factors, in addition to the social cognitive variables of self-efficacy beliefs and interests that influence the career choices of East Asian Americans. Four cultural and contextual factors were examined: Asian values, family influence, ethnic identity, and racism-related stress. The social cognitive variables were examined based on Holland's (1997) vocational themes (RIASEC). A total of 260 East Asian American undergraduate and graduate students participated in the study. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examined the factors that predicted traditionality of career choice for East Asian American students. Investigative self-efficacy beliefs were found to significantly predict traditionality of career choice for both East Asian American men and women. However, gender differences in predicting career choice traditionality were found for other variables in the study. Realistic self-efficacy beliefs significantly explained traditionality of career choice for East Asian American women. Two cultural values, Conformity to Norms and Family Recognition through Achievement, significantly predicted traditionality of career choice for East Asian American men. Findings from this study highlight the importance of examining career-related self-efficacy beliefs of East Asian Americans and the consideration of gender differences as they relate to career choice process for East Asian Americans. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]