The relationship between community employment and decreased likelihood of reoffending has been widely supported. Much remains to be known, however, about the specific aspects of community employment that promote offenders' successful reintegration into the community post-incarceration. In the present study, we used qualitative inquiry to explore federal offenders' perceptions on what they consider a "good job," and how their employment has contributed to their post-release success. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 male federal offenders in the community and transcripts were analyzed qualitatively. Overall, the results suggest that intrinsic rewards were of primary importance in defining the quality of work for the select number of offenders who were interviewed. Although extrinsic rewards such as pay were considered beneficial, offenders most valued that their jobs were interesting, meaningful, and provided them with a sense of achievement. Relationships at work, especially with managers, were also found to be highly valued and contributed to increased self-esteem. The value placed on intrinsic rewards and its interactions with workplace relationships seemed to provide offenders with benefits that assisted them in remaining in the community crime-free. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]