Working women, at all levels, throughout the state of New Jersey were studied to determine what patterns, if any, exist among these women and to explore the implications of the findings for both the education and employment systems. Research was conducted in two stages: by a questionnaire distributed to 1,150 women employed by 23 institutions and businesses throughout the state, with a response rate of 48 percent; and through case studies of 25 women employed minimally as professionals. The project's hypothesis was that patterns would emerge directly correlated to occupational attainment. While much data were gathered concerning the working women's family background, social status, education, and vocational counseling (or lack of it), patterns were diverse and not clearly correlated to a degree to allow for either acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis. However, the findings show the importance and potency of vocational and career counseling in the development of curricula for the educational system. Additionally, findings related to early experiences as determinants of achievement point up a role for the educational system as an intervention mechanism. Funding for a second year would allow for the production of training and curriculum modules based on this study. (KC)