Factors influencing the career preferences of high school students: a sociological analysis

This article analysis the factors influencing the choice of future profession and preferences. The issue of shaping students' career preferences and their future career trajectories has become one of the pressing challenges in the context of global transformations. Erroneous decisions in this area can result in challenges in future employment within their chosen profession or even lead to unemployment. The theoretical significance of this study lies in the theoretical analysis of the concept of students' career preferences. The practical value of the research is characterized by preparation of recommendations for school administrations and specialists interested in this issue. The research findings reveal that while schoolchildren in grades 9 and 10 know need to choose a future profession, they do not define a clear professional trajectory until grade 11, when they make concrete and final decisions about their career choices. There are no significant differences between urban and rural schoolchildren in making career decisions; however, urban students are more likely than their rural counterparts to seek advice from career guidance centers outside of school independently. Across school types, gender, urban and rural schools, parental influence emerges as the most significant factor affecting the career preferences of schoolchildren.