The purpose of this study was to identify and measure the degree of influence that individuals perceive or believe other persons exercise in terms of educational and vocational decisions. The study examines a number of indicators--such as family, friends, religious leaders, teachers, and counselors--of the relative influence exercised upon the post-secondary vocational and educational plans of 955 Utah high school students. In addition, the study provides data on (1) the weight of various nonpersonal factors that students feel are important in terms of their plans and (2) the relative effectiveness of various media in transmitting information to the students in terms of this life-area. Data were obtained by administering a 68-item questionnaire to students from 15 Utah high schools. Selected to represent a cross-section of all high schools in the state, the schools sampled were divided into 4 categories: Urban, Suburban, Large Rural, and Small Rural districts. Since it was assumed by the research committee that parents would be named by students as having the greatest influence over the students' decisions, the students were asked to have their parents complete a special parent questionnaire. Responses from 256 parents returning completed forms comprise a second part of this study. The data obtained were reduced to a series of tables of responses to specific questions. The Appendix contains the student and parent questionnaires. (LS)