PRE-UNIVERSITY TRAINING: THE KEY TO A CONSCIOUS PROFESSIONAL CHOICE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

The article discusses the importance of purposeful pre-university training. The authors analyze the term “professional self-determination of high school students,” identify the key principles of organizing pre-university training, and define the criteria and indicators of its effectiveness in terms of students’ professional self-determination. To fully explore the topic, the authors provide a methodological toolkit for implementing career guidance in the pre-university education system and offer recommendations for improving the pre-university training system to enhance the effectiveness of students’ professional self-determination. The authors conclude that consistent and systematic pre-university training contributes to the successful professional self-realization of young specialists in the future. The article states that the school provides students with the opportunity to participate in project activities, Olympiads and competitions, which contributes to the development of their research and other professionally significant skills, organizes meetings with representatives of various professions, excursions to enterprises and organizations, which allows high school students to get acquainted with the world of professions. The school provides psychological support and counseling, helping young people cope with anxiety and stress related to career choices. Accordingly, consistently and systematically organized pre-university training, understood as a well-thought-out strategy for building the professional potential of high school students, is the key to an informed career choice and successful self-realization of a young specialist in the future.