Presents a case study of four, first-generation, working-class White male freshmen who discuss their perceptions of the purpose of college. Perceptions are analyzed using Chickering's sixth vector, Developing Purpose. Data indicate the students consider college to be primarily a place that prepares them for work, supporting Chickering and Reisser's argument that this is the case for large numbers of students. (Contains 29 references.) (Author/ADT)