This study explored how past experiences, current career development, and expectations for assistance impact the service delivery of computer-assisted career guidance systems. The subjects (N=4) were selected from adults who had sought services from a university-based career center and who were voluntarily participating in a research project designed to collect data on this population. The subjects were chosen on the basis of the following factors: sex, age, head-of-household, anticipation of career change, interest in exploring career options, willingness to use a computer-assisted career guidance system as one component of career counseling services, willingness to meet for a minimum of four sessions with a career counselor, and willingness to complete a contract for service provision. Subjects used either DISCOVER for Adult Learners or System of Interactive Guidance and Information (SIGI) PLUS. Open-ended interviews were conducted prior to, during, and after each subject's computer experience. It was found that the adult subjects differed in terms of the complexity and time frame for their career decision making in comparison to typical adolescents and young adults who received services from university-based career centers. The subjects had expectations that they would receive professional assistance that would help in: (1) structuring the career decision making process; (2) clarifying self-knowledge; and (3) gaining access to career information resources. The extent to which this expectation was met varied with each subject. Thirty-nine references are included. (Author/LLL)