The objectives of this study were to develop a model to explain early occupational attainment and to test a particular group of male and female Southern Appalachian youths. A path analytic model was developed to include mother's and father's education, breadwinner's occupation, residence, amount of significant others' influence, occupational aspiration, educational attainment, and occupational attainment. Data were collected from a specially selected sample who had attended one of 17 Northeast Alabama high schools both in 1966 as sophomores and in 1968 as seniors and had responded to questionnaires at both times. A third contact in 1972 measured the attainment of those who were employed. Regression analysis was used to test 87 males and 67 females. Major results were that 38% of the variance for males and 26% for females was explained by the model; that the breadwinner's occupation contributed most heavily for males and occupational aspiration for females; that the model was more applicable to migrant than non-migrant males; and that home environment factors and personal value commitments were important. (Author/PS)