As a companion to a study of women in nontraditional training in postsecondary vocational education, a national survey of secondary women in area vocational technical schools (AVTSs) was conducted to determine what factors influence the occupational decisions and future plans of high school women enrolled in nontraditional vocational training, how these factors differ from those influencing women enrolled in mixed and traditional training, and what problems nontraditional women students experience. The sample included 1,062 nontraditional, 1,006 mixed, and 1,002 traditional women from 156 AVTSs in thirty-six states. Educational personnel named by the nontraditional women as influential were also surveyed. It was found that mothers are the single most influential person to all women; students perceive career education as the most influential counseling technique; and interest, not earnings, is the major reason for selecting a nontraditional training program. The largest single problem nontraditional students face is that of men adjusting to them in the classroom. One recommendation was that some traditional career counseling techniques (for example, individual testing) should be re-examined in light of the findings. (Appendixes include the demographic characteristics of surveyed students and educational personnel, methodology, reference tables, questionnaires, a glossary, and statistical symbols.) (LMS)