Interviews were conducted with three learning disabled young people over a period of 8 years, beginning when they were in junior high school. The interviews reveal common themes related to the effects of a lack of vocational training and the inability to maintain adequate employment. Jerry experienced a pattern of temporary work followed by periods collecting unemployment benefits. Christy obtained only sporadic employment with pay so low that she could not live on her own. Jesse's skills were so low that he became discouraged by his low level of pay and refused to work for less than $10 per hour. He continued to live at home with his mother. The literature indicates that in 1990, the median hourly wage for adolescents with learning disabilities was $5.72, representing an annual income of less than $12,000. Only about 60 percent of working, learning disabled youth received medical insurance benefits or paid vacation. Although the employment rate for graduates with learning disabilities is respectable, a high percentage are employed part-time in low-status occupations. High percentages live with family. Contains 23 references. (CDS)