This is the first report on a nationally representative sample of the 32.9 million civilian young people who were ages 14-21 on January 1, 1979. This first survey shows that young Americans are very much interested in work; more than half of these young persons were either working or looking for work. Many young persons carry both school and work responsibilities. Race and sex discrimination in the labor market continued to cause problems for youth. Minorities had equal aspirations for education, were more willing to work, and were seeking employment as conscientiously as white youth. The difference appeared to be that employers discounted their contribution as employees because of their race or ethnic background. Many young persons drop out of school and begin immediately to have employment problems. About 2.6 million young men and women had participated in government training programs between the first day of 1978 and their interview date in 1979. In this report further details are provided about the employment and unemployment status of these young persons, their reactions to school, their assessment of Federal Government training programs, their vocational training, their attitudes toward work and their aspirations and expectations for the future. A seven-page executive summary is included. (BW)