Newfoundland has historically relied on its natural resources, without broader industrialization. Exploitation and population growth have now exceeded these resources' sustainable yields. With fisheries a disaster, and mining and forestry in decline, Newfoundland's government places hope on offshore oil development. A survey of rural Newfoundland high school students finds that few plan oil industry careers, however. More often, they expect public sector or service employment. The profile of oil-interested students resembles profiles of mining, forestry, and fishing-interested students. Students with college and professional goals do not aspire to resource occupations; instead, many plan to leave Newfoundland. Students' low expectations regarding resource-sector jobs reflect recent historical experience, but hopes for public-sector employment could perpetuate Newfoundland's economic dependency. Our data depict an extractive society experiencing early stages of overshoot. Other North Atlantic societies may be moving in a similar direction.