For some black women, future careers are extremely important; for others, distinct alternatives take precedence. Relationships between the importance a black women places upon her career and her needs for personal and professional aspirations, marriage, and family were examined. All married (N=171) and single (N=92) black women enrolled in graduate programs at a university completed questionnaires. Self reports on the importance of having a career divided respondents into career and non-career women. Data indicate that career women expect significantly different lives from non-career women. Career women plan smaller families and see themselves as equal to their husbands in making family decisions; they are more apt to share roles and responsibilities with their spouses than non-career women. Non-career women indicate a willingness to compromise and be subservient to their spouses; career women demand equal recognition. Non-career women identify marriage and family as their most fulfilling goal; career women place a high premium on education and social recognition. Results may provide serious implications for future trends in marriage. (NRB)