Features of professional self-determination of gifted schoolchildren in the conditions of additional education

The current situation in the education system requires a revision of the content of work with such a non-standard category as gifted children. Many scientists are aware of the importance of gifted and talented children as the future scientific elite and the engine of the country's progress. Most studies identify a number of difficulties in the social development of the gifted, including the difficulties of communicating with peers and adults, the complexity of personal self-determination, and often the difficulty of professional self-determination. In this regard, the study of issues of professional selfdetermination is seen as an urgent problem that requires psychological and pedagogical consideration. As practice shows, most organizations of additional education have successful and interesting experience in working with gifted children, who later turn out to be prize-winners and winners of the olympic and competitive movement. In 2019– 2020 we conducted a study in which 156 students of senior school age took part. With the help of a questionnaire, we studied and identified the features of professional selfdetermination of gifted high school students in the conditions of additional education organizations in the city of Kostroma (Multi-subject school for the gifted) and St. Petersburg (Academy of talents). In addition, we have revealed some influence of the chosen programs of additional education on the professional choice of young people. The results of the study have shown that additional education plays an important role in the professional self-determination of gifted students, and there is a certain relationship between the profile of future professional activity and the choice of a particular association in organizing additional education.