Strategies of Professional and Educational Choice among Technical University Applicants

Introduction. There is an acute shortage of labor resources in the modern labor market, especially with engineering qualifications. A significant part of university students do not reach the stage of obtaining a diploma. Efficient spending of federal budget funds for training of high-class technical specialists becomes extremely necessary. The purpose of this study is to identify the main strategies of choosing a university among first-year students participating in the “Priority-2030ˮ program. Materials and Methods. The goals and objectives of this descriptive study suggest obtaining a more complete understanding of professional and educational applicants’ strategies when choosing technical universities. The questionnaire method implemented in the form of an online survey was used as the main method of collecting primary empirical data. The survey was conducted in May 2023 (n = 1,888). Results. The main motives and factors influencing the professional and educational strategy of choosing a higher educational institution are determined: the characteristics of the university (its type and academic authority, position in university rankings, its transport accessibility and the availability of dormitories); prospects for further employment in the speciality received; the financial capabilities of the applicantʼs family, the main trajectories of admission to the university. The most relevant aspects of the attractiveness of the university for applicants are formulated. Discussion and Conclusion. The authorʼs conclusions contribute to the development of scientific approaches to the study of trends in the development of higher education, the theory and practice of organizing the educational process in educational organizations, the problems of professional self-determination and career guidance, methods of supporting studentsʼ professional choice. The materials of the article can be useful to Russian universities in developing an effective system of career guidance.