All three students said they were most involved with the childcare supervisors, and referred to them for assistance, direction, and support. Rouda explained her interaction with the childcare supervisor, "They tell you. The first time they introduce you to the staff and [tell you] what you should do and shouldn't do. If you need help or you don't understand something, so [I] ask for directions myself." Rouda added that she has also learned to depend on her own skills and knowledge. "I really focused and depending on myself even."

The grocery store

Stacey worked in the bakery/deli department and Tom worked in the produce department of a chain grocery store located close to downtown. Both were assigned jobs that an employee would do. Tom explained that he had to unpack and display produce. He learned to rotate the old and new produce, and was surprised to find out how many different types of apples the store sold, all of which he learned to identify and name. Stacey unpacked the dry ingredients for various baked goods, she wrapped and bagged the muffins, bread sticks, and buns when they were cooled, and she brought out items for display. Both she and Tom worked closely with other employees who would tell them what to do, then demonstrate the task, and then let them do the task independently.

Discount department store

Marion was the most isolated student in her placement but didn't complain about this to anyone. She was in the women's clothing department at a discount department store, and her job was to price clothing. She said she was given instructions first thing in the morning (she wasn't sure if the person was a supervisor or an employee) and then worked mostly by herself, tagging the new clothes or putting sale stickers on marked–down items. She didn't take a break, and sometimes left at noon without seeing or talking to anyone.

The cafeteria

Maritza traveled to the school board's administrative offices to work in the cafeteria. Her placement lasted only a few weeks. Carrie said she had a feeling it wouldn't work out when Maritza approached her about the potential difficulties she faced making bus connections in order to get to the cafeteria. Although her home was only a seven–minute drive away, she relied on the city bus and only one per hour ran up the street past the placement site. If she missed that one bus, she was forced to take three buses and spend at least an hour traveling the few kilometers to get to the site.