In a survey of 28,000 high school seniors, researchers found that 21,000 (75 percent) were in the labor force. The average number of hours worked per week was 16.4. The study identified the characteristics of the students and their schools that affect part-time work: (1) the higher the wage rate, the more likely a student was to work more hours per week; (2) students who believed in the importance of work, steady employment, and earning income were more likely to work more hours per week; (3) students who had a strong commitment to school were less likely to be in the labor force and worked slightly fewer hours per week if they were employed; (4) Black and Hispanic students were less likely to work and had more difficulties finding a job; (5) female students worked about one-half hour more per week than male students, were slightly more likely to work, and had less difficulties finding a job, but their salary averaged 34 cents less per hour; (6) attending a vocational or private school increased a student's wages; and (7) engaging in cooperative education and work study tended to improve a student's experience in the labor force. The study concluded that working was a student response to the desire to have immediate income and to a lack of interest in school. Therefore, teachers and administrators should integrate school assignments with job-related experiences. The study also concluded that counselors should make extra efforts to help minority students find work. (KC)