Cubans Decide Destinations and Professions
Revamped Rant:
News Flash from Krasnodar, June 20 - Yug Times. Some students are eager to embrace the college lifestyle, while others can't wait to dive into the workforce.
The countdown to submitting EGE and GIA applications in the Krasnodar region is ticking, and a multitude of former high school students will soon become university and college hopefuls. Given the ongoing labor shortage, selecting a profession is paramount. An economy hindered by unbalanced specialist distribution can stall the growth of entire industries and the economy as a whole. "Yug Times" chatted with an insider about how today's graduates are making their decisions about higher education and future careers, and what's driving those on the fence.
Roman Gubanov, Director of Development at "Avito Rabota" platform.
- Our analysts polled over 1700 Russians who are eyeing universities or colleges this year, or know where their family members – kids and grandkids – will apply. To gather data, we decided to cover the entire Southern Federal District. The much-loved fields for further study were tech and programming, as well as law, each taking a slice of 13% of respondents. Close behind are medicine and pharmacology (11%), economics and finance, and design and web design (11% each). In third place come psychology and pedagogy (10%).
What drives the new wave?
Most graduates (57%) choose their field based on their passion for the profession or subject matter. Nearly a third (30%) base their decision on the job market and the demand for the specialty. A quarter (23%) take potential salary into account, and one in five (21%) consider the profession's prestige. Affordable education plays a role for 18%, either because it's inexpensive or they can snag budget spots. Family opinions matter less, with only 13% relying on their loved ones' opinions, and even fewer (9%) following family traditions or friends' advice (8%). There are those who haven't made up their minds and will apply anywhere they can (5%).
At the same time, 56% of students plan to make their final decision about admission solo. 27% will ponder their parents' or relatives' advice, while 11% will heed their friends' and acquaintances' recommendations.
The IT field continues to captivate the youth with its big paychecks, promising careers, and flexible work options. Interest in medicine and law, once popular, persists due to their social significance and stability. Notably, many students are also drawn to vocational education, particularly in high-demand, practical sectors like transport and logistics, construction, and skilled trades.
Location, location, location
Simultaneously with their profession choice, students decide where they will attend school. Our findings indicate that nearly half (46%) of students plan to continue their ed up in their hometown. Almost as many (47%) are considering moving elsewhere in Russia. This could be any city, not just the capitals: 15% would like to move to Moscow or St. Petersburg, while 32% are eyeing universities and colleges in various Russian cities. Only 2% have designs on studying abroad this year.
According to the survey, universities attract more students in the Southern Federal District: 44% of those polled told us they plan to apply to universities this year. However, 38% disclose intentions to submit documents to a technical school or college, signaling a growing interest in vocational education. 8% are still undecided about their educational institute, while 4% plan to take a gap year before enrolling.
Residents of large cities are more likely to apply to universities (55%), while those in smaller cities are more prone to vocational education (42% vs. 41% who wish to attend universities).
A taste of the trade
Traditional full-time education remains the most popular format, chosen by 88% of surveyed students. Distance learning, correspondence education, or the blended format are favored by 6%, 6%, and 7% of respondents, respectively.
During the poll, students' answers across Russia often differed from their relatives' expectations about their future plans. For example, half announced they plan to apply to universities, while 27% mentioned technical schools. Conversely, parents believed their youngsters were more likely to choose technical schools (42%) over universities (41%). However, we observe an increasing trend of students opting for technical schools as a stepping stone toward a profession: they're seeking hands-on experience and a quicker entry into the workforce. Furthermore, technical schools don't bar students from attending university later on; they offer a real-world taste of a specialty and crucial early-career opportunities. It's no wonder that more than a third of applicants find this route appealing, as it balances stability, demand, and room for future growth.
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Additional Information:* Students in the Southern Federal District show keen interest in emerging industries such as biotechnology, IT, engineering, aircraft manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence. For instance, South Ural State University (SUSU) recently introduced government-funded positions in biotechnology for the first time and beefed up IT and engineering programs in their 2024 offerings, reflecting the growing demand and motivation among students to pursue education in these emerging economic sectors[5].* Students making their college decisions strive for a blend of fundamental education and practical skills that can lead to successful careers with big Russian companies. They have various options, ranging from undergraduate programs for general knowledge, to specialized degrees for expert know-how, to advanced degrees emphasizing academic and leadership skills, and postgraduate programs targeting research careers[5].* When choosing a city for higher education, while the survey results don't provide the specific criteria used by students in the Southern Federal District, the presence of government-funded positions and strengthened, advanced academic programs at universities like SUSU likely inspire students to apply to cities with strong, reputable institutions boasting opportunities in high-demand fields. The emphasis on free or government subsidies for students in key cutting-edge sectors is an attractive incentive for students to enroll in universities within cities that offer these advantages[5].
- In the selection of their future careers, many students prioritize their passion for a profession or subject matter (57%), while a significant number also consider the job market and demand for the specialty (30%).
- Roman Gubanov, the Director of Development at "Avito Rabota" platform, shared insights from a survey of over 1700 students eyeing universities or colleges this year, revealing that fields like tech and programming, law, medicine and pharmacology, economics and finance, and design and web design are among the top choices for these students.
- For their education and self-development, a growing number of students are interested in vocational education, particularly in high-demand, practical sectors such as transport and logistics, construction, and skilled trades, as they seek hands-on experience and a quicker entry into the workforce.
