Part of the 23rd yearbook of the College Reading Association. A study compared the career choices and expectations of in- and pre-service teachers. Data were obtained from 140 in-service teachers and 153 pre-service teachers who were enrolled in 11 literacy courses at two Midwestern universities. Findings indicated that both groups of teachers selected teaching as a career because of an internal motivation to “nurture” and “make a difference,” although pre-service teachers wanted and expected more career status than their in-service peers. Both groups expressed frustration about “parent/family issues.” In addition, findings showed that pre-service teachers indicated a serious concern about “student behavior” and that, unlike their in-service counterparts, pre-service teachers had considered other careers before selecting teaching.