The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides over $1 billion dollars annually in taxpayer-funded financial assistance to a unique population of at-risk, economically-disadvantaged U.S. college students with limited options for employment-related development. Research on the effects of FWS participation, especially professional development, is limited and has failed to examine the effects of alignment between students" academic/professional goals and their jobs despite program regulations requiring maximization of aligned employment. This study utilized secondary analysis to quantitatively assess changes in career adaptability skills for 537 students attending a large, public, highly-selective university during the Fall 2020 term. The study examined differences in outcomes (a) between students in aligned and unaligned positions and (b) between sociographic and demographic groups for students in aligned employment. A two-by-two difference-in-difference methodology following individual students assessed changes in career adaptability levels, a measure of an individual's readiness for and ability to cope with vocational tasks, transitions, and traumas. Observed career adaptability for the overall sample and for students in unaligned positions declined due to time over the short, single-semester observation period potentially due to environmental factors. However, job alignment provided some buffer for career adaptability with minimal, but significant, advantages for feelings of support. While alignment shows some potential benefit, limitations regarding the sample size, time frame, measurement restrictions, and the impact of environmental factors requires further study with larger longitudinal samples and varied outcome metrics. Regardless, this study provides novel information regarding an at-risk, disadvantaged population and insight into how to improve future research on this topic. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]