This paper is intended to assist vocational educators in meeting the career development needs and aspirations of migrant youth. It examines the unique characteristics of migrant youth and develops a general life-cycle model of their vocational development. This comparative analysis provides the vocational educator with a basis for identifying programmatic efforts to enhance the career achievements of this special population. The paper addresses crucial issues that must be resolved through basic and applied research before migrant youth can effectively enter a broader labor market. These issues include the handicapping effects of poverty, geographic mobility, ethnicity, and language barriers as they have an impact upon the vocational development of migrant youth. Other concerns considered are the educational, psychological, and physical problems unique to migrant youth and their forced entry into agricultural labor. Recommendations are made for breaking the cycle of limited vocational alternatives for migrant youth. For example, it is suggested that vocational education programs be designed as a response to the total context of the life style of migrant youth in order to develop adequate vocational skills. Modifying vocational education programs to meet these needs includes providing strong programs to develop communication skills, to master basic skills, to enhance positive self-concepts, and to provide a futures orientation. Suggestions for further research also are given. (KC)