Attitude and perception of sociology students and undergraduates towards their chosen profession and future career

UDC 378:316.6

DOI 10.20339/AM.08-23.078

Filipp Yu. Kushnarev, Cand. Sci. (Politics), Docent, Department of Social Policy at Yaroslavl State University n.a. P.G. Demidov, e–mail: kushnarevcustoms@mail.ru

The article analyzes the attitude of sociology students towards their chosen specialty and future profession. The author conducted a sociological study among students studying sociology in leading universities of the country. It was found that girls, unlike boys, rely on the advice of their family, relatives, and friends when choosing their field of study and university. It was also established that master's students, unlike undergraduate students, rely primarily on the advice of friends and acquaintances when choosing their field of study and university, rather than the opinions of their family and relatives. Only about one third of the students believe that the profession of ‘sociologist’ is in demand on the job market. Thus, the majority of students believe that the knowledge, skills, and abilities obtained in the university correspond to the requirements of the modern market. It has been found that the quality of education in the university affects the attitude towards the chosen specialty and future profession. The lower the quality of teaching at the university, the more likely it is that the sociology student will become disappointed in the chosen specialty and profession. It has been established that only a small proportion of students who (unconsciously) enrolled in the sociology program decided to work in the field after completing their studies. It has been established that male students, unlike female students, strive to secure more prestigious (status-oriented) jobs in government or municipal service after graduation, despite their lower pay. For them, status is more important than money. On the other hand, female students aim to get jobs that are not necessarily prestigious, but better paying (such as firms conducting marketing research, etc.). For senior-level students and master’s degree students in sociology, the most important aspect of their future job as a sociologist is the opportunity to influence important decisions in their region or country. First year students aspire to become sociologists mainly because it is a well-compensated profession. Measures aimed at improving career guidance activities are proposed.

Keywords and phrases: profession image, sociologist, motives for choosing a field of study, professional self-determination, graduate career orientation.

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