This article presents the results of a sociological study conducted in the city of Belgorod. The study aimed to identify the key factors that influence young people's career choices.
The study involved a sample of 250 individuals between the ages of 17 and 27. The findings revealed that while many respondents prioritize financial security when making career decisions, a significant number also consider factors such as leadership opportunities and the alignment of their chosen field with their future professional activities.
Interestingly, despite the emphasis on salary motivation, a notable proportion of respondents do not intend to pursue careers in their chosen specialties. This could be due to changing economic conditions and emerging professional trends.
The analysis also highlighted that wage considerations often outweigh other factors such as team dynamics, work schedules, and career advancement prospects. These findings emphasize the complexity of career motivations among young people and the need to understand the interplay between individual aspirations, economic factors, and societal dynamics in shaping career trajectories.
Overall, the study highlights the importance of exploring and addressing the factors that influence career choices among young individuals. By doing so, we can better understand and support the career development of young people, contributing to the creation of a sustainable society. motivation in choosing a profession.
Keywords: profession, motivation, factors, career, professional self-determination.
In a rapidly developing world, career choice plays a key role in determining the career path of young people, as it affects the future aspects of their professional life over the long years of their lives. This choice determines the opportunities for the development of professional skills and success in the chosen field of activity. The motivation of young people in choosing a profession is not formed by itself, it is influenced by many factors, including personal interests, abilities, socio-cultural context, economic conditions and the influence of others.
Young people can choose a profession that suits their hobbies and interests. They are looking for a job that matches their values and allows them to have a positive impact on the world. Work aimed at specific goals gives young professionals the opportunity to deal with issues that they consider important, whether it is environmental protection, ensuring social justice or the development of society. Building a career according to their hobbies brings them satisfaction, as they know that their work contributes to something more than just their personal well-being.
For many young people, it is important to choose a profession that will provide them financially. This may be due to the prospect of a high salary, the possibility of career growth, or the stability of the labor market in the chosen field. According to the researchers I. V. Kazarinov and N. E. Romanov, when choosing a job, young people prefer high salaries, work-life balance, good labor conditions and career possibilities.
Young people have high hopes not only for high salaries, promotions and vacations. But their biggest expectation in the workplace is flexibility and freedom. Some young people may be looking for jobs that provide flexible working hours or the opportunity to work remotely. This may be important for those who value work-life balance or want to be able to travel. Due to such forms of work as remote positions or project-based contracts, young people can make a good career, not limited to traditional office structures. Thanks to this flexibility, the younger generation has more autonomy, and they can integrate meaningful work into various aspects of their lives.
Further, many young people prefer to start their own business. This allows them the freedom to build a career that meets their personal goals and makes a positive contribution to society.
Another factor in choosing a profession is the desire to help others. Many young people choose professions through which they can help others or make a positive contribution to society. This can be a motivation for choosing professions in medicine, education or social work.
For example, many young professionals are attracted to organizations that actively support corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives or implement sustainable practices. These companies provide an environment where employees can contribute to creating a better future while developing their skills and experience.
A conscious choice of a profession with high social significance helps to increase the motivation of young professionals. The belief that your work improves society or the environment strengthens dedication and enthusiasm. For instance, a specialist in the field of sustainable energy may feel motivated by his contribution to the fight against climate change.
Nowadays, many young people are motivated to choose professions related to technology and innovation. This may be due to an interest in software development, research in artificial intelligence, or the creation of new technologies.
In addition, job search activities allow young people to gain valuable information about various fields of activity. They will learn about the skills and qualifications required for specific positions. Young people gain a lot of knowledge through internship programs and career guidance events. According to E. V. Yarina, internships are especially valuable, as they provide practical experience that cannot be obtained only through education, and mentoring allows you to shape the ambitions of young people. Mentors provide advice and support on the path to a successful career, as well as demonstrate how leadership and service opportunities can lead to fulfilling roles that contribute to creating positive change in society.
Therefore, young people who are interning at a technology company can discover their potential in programming and software development by taking part in real projects. This approach to the study of motivation in choosing a profession can be considered innovative, since thanks to it is possible to observe the manifestation of motivation in real time through participation in real projects. For example, according to S. N. Chistyakova, by integrating real-world experience and internships into education, it is possible to help young people understand the practical application of a purposeful career.
In addition, young people pay attention to the image of the employer, his reputation and attractiveness in the process of finding and choosing a job. This is due to the fact that young people are trying to find not just a job, but a place where they can feel inspired and involved. The reputation and image of an employer can reflect values, culture and development opportunities, which are key factors for young people seeking to meet not only material needs, but also emotional and professional aspects of life.
Thus, the influence of factors determining the choice of profession can vary significantly depending on the economic structure of society, the characteristics of the social system, the national mentality of young people, cultural nuances, customs and traditions.
In order to identify the significance of the factors, we conducted a sociological study. The sample included young people aged 17–27 years. The study involved 250 people from the city of Belgorod. Answering the question «What is the most important thing for you in choosing a profession?", most young people indicated «living a secure life» as the most important factor. At the same time, 8.2 % of young people believe that «the opportunity to lead other people» plays an equally important role. It is also important to note that salary motivation has an advantage in choosing a profession among respondents, which may indicate that the decision to choose a career is often made based on the salary level. But, 44 % of respondents associate their chosen specialty with their future professional activity. However, half of the respondents do not plan to look for a job in their specialty. It may well be that their education does not currently determine their life path. That is, the opportunity to work not in a specialty that is considered by young people is associated not so much with mistakes in choosing a profession, but with rapidly changing economic conditions, changes in the labor market and the emergence of new professional directions.
The priority in choosing a profession among young people turned out to be wages — 61.8 %, the team and management are priorities for only 7.4 % of respondents; the work schedule is important for 24.5 % of respondents; the possibility of career growth — 6.3 %.
Based on the findings obtained, the following conclusions can be drawn: motivation in choosing a profession among young people is an important aspect of research in the context of building a sustainable society. The study and development of mechanisms influencing the career choice of young people is becoming a significant indicator of the effectiveness of society as a whole.
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