The purpose of this conference was the stimulation of ideas concerning new areas of inquiry that need to be explored in the field of occupational orientations of young people. The conference featured small group discussions covering six basic topics: (1) What is the structure of the decision-making process? (2) To what extent is occupational choice a rational, ordered, systematic process? (3) What contributions to occupational outcome does the social structure make and what is the effect of the position of the actor in that structure? (4) To what extent are extrapersonal situations effective limitors or determinants of occupational outcome? (5) What is the developmental process leading to an initial occupational commitment? and (6) What is the continuing development of occupation or career after the initial commitment? The summary reports of each topic are given; a more detailed account of the discussion will follow. A bibliography of materials available at the conference is included. (CH)