Aspects of Students’ Professional Orientation in Technological University in the Digital Age

Professional self-determination is forming by concepts as formation, development, identification, and self-realization in the profession. This contribution presents a brief review of the theoretical and methodological basis of the conceptual apparatus of professional self-determination from the point of view of sociology and pedagogy. The relationship between education and cultural reproduction is determined by the unity of these components of society. Education today and the transformation processes in it affect individual elements and social institutions of society, and connect them together on the basis of cultural reproduction. The results of a study of first-year students at the Institute of Innovation Management of the Kazan National Research University and the Kazan College of Technology are described. Based on the results of the authors’ research, this contribution deals with the student’s path, their needs and expectations, channels and sources of information, groups of reference persons that can influence the student’s professional self-determination. As a result of the study, some conditions for professional self-realization of students in their chosen profession were proposed. The relevance of the presented study lies in understanding the educational trajectory of students. The results and discussion will allow university administrations to properly organize work with applicants in the admission committee.