Emerging adults in rural, boom-bust economies face unique challenges, especially in employment and education. Drawing on emerging adult and social disruption hypothesis literatures, this study examined four primary research questions. First, how do emerging adults in rural boom-bust towns in southwest Wyoming understand and experience boom-bust cycles in their communities? Second, from where in rural, boom-bust places do emerging adults receive support regarding post-secondary education, employment, and decisions to remain in the area? This study also considered if these resources from the community were satisfactory. Third, what are the potential differences--if any--in the community supports known, used, and desired for emerging adults in community college verses for those in the workforce? Lastly, what decisions are rural emerging adults in boom-bust towns making about staying in/leaving the area? Interviews were conducted with thirty-eight emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25 in southwest Wyoming. Findings from this study supported the social disruption hypothesis. Participants felt boom-bust cycles resulted in instability, were harmful to the area, and affected the resources to which they had access. They reported limited engagement in their communities which declined further as they transitioned from high school to the community college and workforce. However, they also suggested community engagement to be important for newcomers to the area. Individual and household income were important factors in mitigating effects of the boom-bust cycles. Participants also reported a heavy reliance on their social networks for finding employment. Participants in both groups indicated dissatisfaction with the resources to which they had access for higher education and employment. Also, the majority of participants wished to leave the area citing instability, lack of education and employment opportunities, and a general lack of opportunities, especially for education and employment, for future generations as the primary reasons for their decisions. Finally, the findings revealed minimal differences between the two emerging adult groups of this study. A better understanding of education and employment resources is critical, not only for emerging adults and the future of the state, but also for better ensuring rural health, boom-bust resilience, and community persistence. [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://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]