This study was conducted to examine the differences between teacher education graduates who entered teaching the year following graduation and those who did not. A career path model was developed and tested in order to examine the influence of various factors on the career paths of teacher education graduates at various stages. The model provided a framework for studying differences between the two groups on factors in four major areas: (1) personal and background characteristics; (2) preparation program factors; (3) employment factors; and (4) indicators of career satisfaction. Survey instruments were collected from teacher education students (N=200) at the time of graduation and again, 1 year following graduation. Results suggest significant differences between those who entered teaching and those who did not on variables in all four major areas. The career path model has proved to be useful in examining the differences between teacher education graduates in different career path groups at 1 year following graduation. Half the paper consists of statistical tables. (LL)