Professional career in the representations of students of the South of Russia

Abstract

The period of study at a university is one of the defining stages in the formation of young people's ideas about career advancement. The article deals with the ideas of student youth of the South of Russia about a professional career. The empirical basis for the analysis is the materials of sociological surveys conducted in the winter of 2020 in the Rostov Region, Stavropol Territory, Adygea, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria (a total of 2670 students were surveyed). The article shows that the perception of a professional career differs according to the ethno-territorial segments of the youth of the South of Russia. In economically more developed sub-regions with a predominantly Russian population, individualism and achievement in professional and career advancement are more often manifested, career building is more important for students. In the republics of the North Caucasus, young people are more often focused on the resources and interests of the family (paternalism), as well as ascriptive characteristics in the professional field and career, which is less important for students.