Successful multicultural adult orphans who were not adopted pose an interesting challenge in their history, their physical, psychological, social emotional and personal identity development. One must understand their journey from orphanhood to adulthood and their current prominent status in life to build a contextualized personal story (Banks, 2001). The purpose of this study was to examine common factors that contributed to their success. Although these orphans did not have the traditional support of family, parents and nurturing guardians, this study examined, investigated, assessed, analyzed, and dissected the patterns, themes, similarities, commonalities, differences and discrepancies that contributed to their rising above their circumstances in spite of adversity. The question concerning multicultural adult orphans who were not adopted addressed in this study is a vehicle to assist the global community's awareness of the orphan population and their quest to become responsible productive contributing members of society. The intent is to build upon the current body of knowledge and research on orphans, and to assist in modifying the atrocities of the past. Moreover, to improve the government policy makers' education regarding what happens to the orphans once they age out of the system with no type of support or familial base. While studies in the area of orphans' physical, psychological, social emotional development, and individualization exists, there is a deficit in studies that examine the factors that contribute to their successful journey to professional, economic and career success. The findings of this study confirmed that leaders of (NGO) Non-Governmental Organizations that address the needs of orphans would benefit from this research study. Politicians, administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, social workers and child psychologists will gain insight into the unique pathways that orphans select and the dispositions they develop to rise from the depths of despair to the phoenix of individualization. This phenomenological qualitative study sought to explore the educational system and the role the educators play in the orphans growth and development. The 12 multicultural adult orphan participants in this study ranged from ages 40- to 70-years old. There were six females and six males. Six were Caucasian and six were Ethnically Diverse from the United States of America and Australia. The phenomenological qualitative methodology of this study included an in-depth semi-structured narrative interview protocol with probes consisting of 22 questions. A demographic questionnaire was developed comprised of eight items focusing on the participants' personal identity. The data procured from the interviews were transcribed, and the results were analyzed for discrepancies, differences, similarities, commonalities, patterns and themes. The findings were coded and grouped to identify emerging themes. Eight emergent themes related to career success were identified Childhood, Education, Faith in Divine Design, Career Efforts, Self-Concept, Coping, Motivation and Mentors/Counselors. This study demonstrated the need for politicians, policy makers, government officials, school boards, school administrators, educators and the community as well as all stakeholders to join in the reconstruction of the system for the betterment of the orphan population as well as society. Furthermore, by doing so they would be addressing the void in the literature concerning what happens to orphans once they age out of the system. Follow-up data needs to be examined concerning the aftermath of the at-risk orphan population. To quote one of the male participants in this study, he said, "What happens to orphans when they are not adopted? Where do they go and what do they do without the support of a loving family?". In almost all cases, these adult orphans found a caring adult to guide them in childhood and later, in their career pursuits. They created a vision of themselves as successful learners and pursued deeply a person intellectual interest or creative talent. They acquired a deep and personal sense of themselves as caring, capable and good human beings. It is incumbent all stakeholders revisit and continually review their policies and procedures for the betterment of the content and rigor to ensure they are providing orphans with the skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st Century global world. [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.]