A study examined the internal and external barriers that deny New Hampshire women equal access in vocational/technical classes and sought to ascertain why high school women in New Hampshire predict poorly paying careers for themselves. During the study data were collected from the following sources: vocational enrollment figures for New Hampshire from 1976-1980; an existing study of the decision-making process of New Hampshire high school seniors of the class of 1980; on-site visits to five New Hampshire vocational centers; questionnaires completed by 21 non-traditional female students; and interviews administered to 15 vocational teachers, 7 guidance counselors, and 5 vocational directors. All indications from these data show that there has been no significant increase in non-traditional enrollments in the past 4 years in New Hampshire. Among the external and internal barriers found to deny women equal access to vocational classes and career decisions were the following: sex stereotyping, pressures from friends and family, lack of information about employment opportunities, lack of skill preparation, and lack of support from school personnel. Recommendations called for recruitment, support of non-traditional students, and inservice training for school personnel. (MN)