The research described in this paper was intended to understand the meanings of professional and personal success assumed by public high school students. Methodology: we collected data from a "Workshop on Professional Orientation". Seven final year students participated of this research: five girls and two boys. A focus group, with discussion of pre-established "polemic statements", was the main procedure. Data analysis used two methods: Alceste software and content analysis. Results: students' success conceptions were largely influenced by an individualistic point of view about man and society, based on search for money, assets and personal status. However, through the intervention on professional orientation, participants were able to criticize that individualistic point of view. Other meanings of success, based on emotional and social achievements, were highlighted. Thus, meanings of professional and personal success emerged in association with two contradictory categories: "financial success" and "social and emotional success".