This symposium will use data from a 20-year longitudinal study -- the Longitudinal Study of American Youth (LYAS) -- that has followed the same individuals since 1987 when the respondents were in grades 7 and 10 to describe and discuss the flow of young people into the scientific work force. The LSAY students were a national sample of public school students in 1987, and they are now in their mid-30s. Approximately 6 percent of these young adults are science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) professionals, and 7 percent are employed in STEMM support occupations. Three of the papers will analyze these data in regard to the flow of young adults into specific kinds of occupations -- science, engineering, and health -- and three additional papers will provide a broader setting and place these results in the context of national efforts to increase the size and quality of the scientific work force in the United States. The ability of science to serve the needs of society depends on a flow of dedicated and competent young people into the STEMM fields, and this symposium will address the factors association with the newest generation to move into these fields.