America faces a crisis of not being able to attract or retain individuals to serve as professional educators. Fewer people want to devote their lives to service in the classroom. Commonly cited reasons include salaries too low and too much stress associated with the job. These reasons are not new, considering they have been part of the reality of being a principal for many years. This study was conducted to determine whether other factors not considered in research could shed further light on this issue. Thirty individuals were interviewed who had switched from an administrative career to another field, or had simply expressed no interest in becoming school principals in the first place. Interview data suggest that governance issues, characteristics of the job of principal, external demands, and internal factors were strong factors inhibiting interest in the principalship. However, a much stronger theme emerged in that the principalship is perceived as a noneducational career path. The concept of "principal teacher" is all but dead in the minds of people who express no further interest in the job. One recommendation includes providing opportunities for professional development for principals to assist them in becoming socialized into the profession of school administration. (RT)