Findings of a study that explored aspiring administrators' perceptions of the superintendency as a viable career choice are presented in this paper. Methodology involved the administration of a questionnaire to 197 graduate students enrolled in administrator education courses. Findings indicate that the most powerful motivator was the ability to exercise power and control over organizations and the most powerful disincentive was dealing with community pressure groups. Students reported a general decline in interest in seeking the superintendency. Recommendations for preservice preparation include providing different levels of courses directed toward students' career goals, such as school finance or law, and providing positive role models. Inservice education should consider collegial support networks, peer coaching, and mentoring programs. Appendices contain the Superintendents Job Characteristics Survey and a statistical table of mean scores and rankings. (13 references) (LMI)