Since 1998, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) has been instrumental in developing an industry-led approach to online education. In the telecommunications industry, The National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning (NACTEL) began offering customized coursework through its primary educational partner, Pace University, in 1999. Representing the electric power industry, The Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) began offering customized coursework through its primary educational partner, Bismarck State College, in 2001. The purpose of this study was to learn more about working adult learners, their enrollment decisions and their persistence toward an associate's degree in two online degree programs. The researchers designed methodologies to collect and analyze quantitative data that focused on student experiences and choices related to enrollment, continuation, and degree completion in the two programs. This study of student persistence provided these organizations the opportunity to learn more about these programs and their students, and as a result, to better serve both the students and the industries. Eleven appendices are included: (1) Brief Biography: Ruth Chapman; (2) Focused interview guide: Preliminary student interviews; (3) Focused interview guide: Industry and labor representatives; (4) Summary: Student and industry focused interviews; (5) Online survey with responses: Current students; (6) Online survey with responses: Graduates; (7) Online survey with responses: Students taking a break; (8) Online survey with responses: Students who let the program permanently; (9) Comparison Tables: What stands out, all groups and both schools; Factors influencing taking a break, both schools; and Factors influencing leaving program permanently, both schools; (10) Interview guide and summary: School representative focus group; and (11) Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.