students go to universities for the sake of a diploma and employment

Russian students are sure that a university degree increases the chances of making a good career, but at the same time they believe that the value of higher education is exaggerated. This is evidenced by the results of a sociological study conducted by the National Research University Higher School of Economics. The authors note that “such a pragmatic view may not always meet the expectations of some university professors who prefer a sincere interest in the sciences to get good grades over a student setting.” However, the leaders of the universities polled by Kommersant see no problem in the careerism of students.

Sociologists at the National Research University Higher School of Economics analyzed the models of educational behavior of students of Russian universities as part of the strategic project “Success and Independence of a Person in a Changing World.” It is being implemented under the Priority 2030 program. The researchers interviewed 5,000 first-year students from nine Russian universities: BFU, FEFU, KFU, LETI, TSU, TPU, Tyumen State University, NEFU and SibFU. Questions related to attitudes towards higher education, plans for education, expectations from the educational process and university life in general. The results of the study (available to Kommersant) show that modern students receive higher education primarily to enter the labor market. The main motives for them are obtaining special knowledge (59%) and improving the chances of finding a job (54%). This is followed by motives related to personal growth (44%), life experience (29%) and broadening of horizons (19%). The least popular reasons for studying at universities are the opportunity to find yourself in a cultural and educated environment (15%), as well as to improve your social status (14%).

“The vast majority of students agree with the idea that higher education provides a person with a successful career and makes it easier to achieve life goals (70%),” the authors of the study note. “However, an even larger number of students agreed with the opinion that the importance of higher education in modern world is exaggerated (75%)”.

“Most studies in recent years show precisely the career aspirations of students,” says Ivan Gruzdev, director of the Center for the Sociology of Higher Education at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Ivan Gruzdev. “Moreover, in Russia in recent years there has been an incredible increase in interest in secondary vocational education, which also confirms the focus of young people on practical knowledge.” The sociologist admits that the results of the study baffled scientists: “Since we interviewed students from leading universities, where, as a rule, the strongest school graduates go, we were surprised why yesterday’s honors students are more focused on their careers, and not on the desire to understand in detail some that subject and “dig” scientific knowledge. Nevertheless, this explains some “conflicts” in the educational process: “Teachers often want to give in-depth theoretical knowledge, but students simply do not need it.”

RUDN Vice-Rector Elena Apasova is sure that “a successful career does not exclude one’s own development and doing science.” “We annually conduct a survey of those who entered to identify the values ​​and motives of students,” says Ms. Apasova. “Family and friends are in the first place, the opportunity for self-improvement is in the second place, success is in the third, then career and new knowledge.” The Vice-Rector of RUDN University notes that students really have a high demand for a practical component in their education: “Those who choose fundamental areas spend a lot of time in laboratories and conduct experiments. Those who choose applied areas undergo internships in campaigns. What practices and internships will be during the training – this question is in the top 5 from applicants.

“Students go to the university to get a profession that will allow them to work successfully, and this can only be welcomed,” says the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the Moscow State Technical University. N. E. Bauman Boris Padalkin. — If people who graduated from the university work in their specialty, this says a lot about the quality of education and the good professional qualities of the graduate.”

“Modern youth, which is probably right, are more pragmatic. And many of them are initially set to build a career trajectory,” said Rector of the Russian State University for the Humanities Alexander Bezborodov. He notes that such a request resonates both in public policy and in higher education: “We are opening career centers, developing practice-oriented formats, and offering senior students jobs in companies with which the university cooperates.” The rector of the Russian State University for the Humanities connects the growing interest in part-time and correspondence formats of education with the same trend: “This allows you to start working as early as possible.”

The head of the All-Russian Student Union, Oleg Tsapko, says that at large “so-called top universities,” teachers themselves “often tell students that their diploma guarantees career prospects.” “Students listen to all this and begin to think the same way themselves,” he suggests. Mr. Tsapko also notes that today’s youth have a dual perception: “On the one hand, they hope that a diploma will allow them to build a successful career, and therefore go to university. On the other hand, they themselves are sure that the importance of higher education is exaggerated.” Nevertheless, according to Oleg Tsapko, it can be noted that graduates of vocational schools “often find a job faster and the work itself is better paid.” “Still, students are often guided by the stereotypes and attitudes of parents about the need for higher education,” states the head of the student union.

Polina Yachmennikova