The purpose of this review is to indicate the need for longtitudinal research to evaluate the significance of aspirations in predicting occupational attainment. Data for this study were collected from a longitudinal study of 152 males and females interviewed as high school seniors in 1948 and re-interviewed in 1956. The analysis of data suggests that occupational aspirations are not good predictors of the type of occupation attained. Among the 66 males in the sample, approximately 35 percent were employed in the occupational category which they preferred as high school seniors. Of the 86 females, only 15 percent attained their occupational goals. Data were analyzed to determine the relationship between various social and personal characteristics of the respondents and the degree of congruency between occupational aspirations and attainments. No differences existed for either males or females between occupational congruency and (1) farm or nonfarm residential background, (2) socioeconomic status of the parents at the time the respondent graduated, (3) educational background of the respondents' fathers and mothers, (4) frequency of discussion of future plans with parents, (5) discussion with persons other than parents concerning future occupations, and (6) being employed at a job while in high school. (CH)