This study examines the link between human capital endowments of Southern workers and their labor force experiences over time. Using a national longitudinal survey, the experiences of 4,566 individuals who left high school in 1982 were traced through 1992. Findings show similar patterns of educational attainment between women and men, but African Americans lagged behind Hispanics and Whites with regard to postsecondary education. Educational attainment was linked to family size and parental education levels. Those with greater levels of education were better positioned to improve their labor market sector employment over time. Employment security and chances of securing higher wages were clearly linked to education. Persons with the least amount of education were the most likely to receive some type of job training. Overall, participants were relatively satisfied with their jobs, regardless of educational attainment. Regardless of race or ethnicity, the best educated females were less likely than the best educated males to capture primary labor market jobs. College-educated Hispanic males experienced the greatest success in securing primary labor market jobs, while college-educated African American and White males showed similar patterns of engagement in primary labor market jobs. Suburban areas provided the best hope for persons with limited education, high school graduates, and those with certificate or associate degrees to secure good jobs, while rural places held their own in terms of providing the best educated residents good jobs. The South Atlantic region offered the best climate for high school graduates and those with certificate or associates degrees to find jobs in the lower tier of the primary labor market, and for college graduates to get a job in the highest tier of the primary labor market. Programs are needed that develop job skills in non-college bound youth during high school. (Contains 27 references.) (TD)