Psychological and Pedagogical Support for the Formation of Students’ Competitiveness in the Educational and Professional Space of the University

Abstract

The article presents the results of studies on the problem of training competitive specialists. The purpose of the study is to identify and justify the content of psychological and pedagogical support for the formation of students’ competitiveness. The authors also discuss those comprehensive solutions that are necessary for increasing and sustaining competitiveness, given the contemporary requirements of labor markets. The concept of “competitiveness” is analyzed, its components (psychological and functional substantive) are revealed. Particular attention is paid to competitiveness indicators. The results of the diagnostic study are presented. The authors also present results of a case study, which is aimed at determining the level of creative thinking in students of the Сhuvаsh I. Yakovlev State Pedagogical University, taking into according such characteristics as productivity, divergence, flexibility, novelty, originality, and independence. The authors provide their insights on the degree of students’ readiness for competitiveness in the labor market. They also discuss the necessary psychological and pedagogical support for the process of formation of students' competitiveness in the educational and professional space of a university.