Kolesnikova E.M., Kudenko I.A. The status of the engineering profession and prospects for professional biography: An assessment by students of technical universities. RUDN Journal of Sociology.2026; 26 (2): 455–474. (In Russ.). https: ...

Текст статьи на сайте журнала URL: https://journals.rudn.ru/sociology/article/view/50938 (дата обращения 24.07.2026)

Abstract

Today the debate about the undervaluation of the engineering profession and the reluctance of engineering graduates to pursue careers in their field remains relevant. The study aims at presenting the opinions of engineering students about their future profession, labor market diversification, and its impact on their future. The empirical basis is the data from the student surveys conducted in 2024 (N = 610) and 2015 (N = 290). In general, income, career and social responsibility are important components of students’ perceptions of professional employment, the engineering profession, and their career trajectories. Students believe that the engineering profession is in demand and see it as a field of open opportunities. However, they note different professional future paths and admit that advantages and disadvantages of potential jobs would affect their social status. Students perceive the state as providing such employment options for engineers that ensure moderate achievements and stability, while the private sector is perceived as a source of high earnings and a successful career. The expert survey added to this picture the importance of corporate culture in various organizations. To attract and retain young professionals focused on meritocracy, it is crucial to remember the importance of their feeling of a competitive balance between responsibilities and benefits of the workplace. Professional communities focus on combining a high level of education, knowledge, experience and social status: solving engineering problems requires not only deep theoretical knowledge but also practical experience, continuous professional development, and a corporate culture based on partnership.