REGIONAL YOUTH CAREER STRATEGIES SPECIFIC FEATURES

Abstract

Introduction. In contemporary scientific discourse, a significant gap is evident between macroeconomic studies of regional labor markets and microsociological research on employment strategies, particularly among younger generations.

The goal of the work is to study young people's dispositions regarding career strategies: to identify typologies of career motivation and behavior, life planning indicators, factors in career decision-making, and prospects for implementing entrepreneurial initiatives.

Materials and Methods. This article presents data from an annual monitoring of regional youth social strategies (2024) conducted in the Belgorod Region (n=5,847). The sample characteristics included gender, age, settlement type and territory (districts of the region), and respondents' occupational status (student, university student, or employed youth).

Results. Among young people's career strategies, the predominant focus is on career advancement («rationalists») and career achievement («activists») (two-thirds of respondents). The «rationalists» group is characterized by minimal involvement in social activities, which, in their view, does not have a significant impact on career advancement. Activists, on the other hand, perceive social activities as a resource for developing leadership experience, management competencies, and a public reputation. Career «pessimism» has been recorded among low-income youth living in small towns and rural areas, indicating limited social mobility and inequality in access to quality career paths. «Pacifists» (those who eschew career advancement) tend to engage in virtual social activity, which, however, does not translate into real organizational experience. A high level of entrepreneurial orientation among young people has been identified, but actual involvement in business remains extremely low, highlighting the need for regional authorities to support youth entrepreneurship.

Discussion. The article identifies the risks associated with an increase in youth migration outflow from the Belgorod Region, given the region's border location, due to security concerns and the search for career opportunities. An analysis of competitive career strategies of young people (society, family, health) identified systemic risks associated with the likelihood of the formation of simulated forms of civic activity, reproductive restriction, and delayed health-preserving losses in groups with high career motivation.