Hannah decided not to return to the employment preparation program and said her priority had changed and she now wanted to continue to upgrade her academic skills in order to enter an adult high school program. Her goal is to earn her high school diploma, but she has no plans regarding how she would use it in the future. Completing high school may be possible for Hannah, unlike any of the other students in the study because she had already gained a high school education in her native country. Hannah, like Marion, returned to the general literacy program. She then enrolled in a class that focused on academic literacy skill development.

Maritza, who left her placement early, was ironically the only student who was offered a job as a result of being in a placement. Maritza turned down the job offer and enrolled in a food service training program (the same one Marion wanted to enter). Carrie tried to ensure that Maritza understood the impact of her decision: if she enrolled in the program, she would have to find a full–time job and eventually leave social assistance, lose her drug plan, and possibly lose her subsidized home. Maritza said she understood her decision and completedafter her training, during the job search phase of the program, Maritza saw Carrie and complained that she was only being offered minimum–wage, part–time jobs in fast food restaurants. "I'm no teenager. I don't work there," she said to Carrie. Her job search continues.

Stacey had hoped she would receive a job offer from the grocery store but thought she had completed the employment preparation program and didn't re–register the following term. Carrie called her at home and encouraged her to return for one term while continuing her job search. While at home, Stacey had been feeling very down; her daughter had recently moved to another city to go to school, and her ex–husband, who she saw regularly, had also moved. Stacey returned the day after Carrie called and has taken on the role of supervisor in the coffee shop. Carrie attempted to find a volunteer position for Stacey at a senior's facility close to the school. Unfortunately, the facility did not respond to several of Carrie's and Stacey's attempts to obtain a position. Instead, Stacey will return to the program and volunteer in the coffee shop two mornings per week.