Data on 6,370 work-bound, 6,949 college-bound, and 1,057 unemployment-bound adolescents were analyzed at grades 8 and 10. The work and unemployment groups' achievement profiles were similar to each other and lower than the college-bound. Socioeconomic status significantly influenced aspirations and postsecondary status. Educational aspiration was a more accurate predictor of postsecondary status than occupational aspiration. (Contains 29 references.) (SK)