A study investigated those transitional patterns that account for substantial numbers of young people moving from secondary education to employment. Data came from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972; and the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience, Youth Cohort, including high school transcripts of a subsample. Large numbers of students began postsecondary education but did not earn degrees. Often the interruption was followed by going to work. The availability of nearby community colleges led to higher attendance. Socioeconomic status, gender, and race were related to choice of pathway. Choices were also influenced by significant others, particularly parents and close friends. Few students cited high school teachers and counselors as important influences. The choice of postsecondary education as a pathway was related to the high school experience; the higher the high school achievement, the higher the educational level the student generally completed. Outcomes of the nonpostsecondary path were predominantly lower-skilled craft and service jobs. For vocational students, postsecondary work tended to lead to professional/technical and craft occupations. On-the-job training was the predominant kind of postsecondary education. Post-high school training, incomplete pathways, and transitional decisionmaking were recommended for policy attention. (YLB)