The present study examined: (1) the relationship between the number and types of occupational barriers perceived by college students and their current levels of career development; and (2) gender and ethnic differences in the types of barriers perceived. Participants (129 women and 59 men) responded to open-ended questions about perceived barriers to occupational goals and completed measures (Career Development Inventory, Career Maturity Inventory, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale) of career decision-making (CDM) attitudes, knowledge of CDM principles, and CDM self-efficacy. Results generally indicated the absence of relationships between the number and types of barriers cited by participants and their current levels of career development. Analyses did reveal a significant relationship, however, between the number of future career-related barriers and CDM self-efficacy. Results also indicated that a larger proportion of women in the sample reported the perception of family-related barriers than men. Ethnic differences in the perception of barriers were also discovered. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical importance and practical significance. (Contains 25 references.) (Author/JE)