Career guidance and educational program as a means of forming knowledge of primary school students about the diversity of professions

Context and relevance. Professional self-determination is a necessary condition for a person's professional realization, it is a complex and lengthy process, the foundation of which is laid in childhood. The theoretical basis of the research was the concept of the development of the subject of labor and professional self-determination by E.A. Klimov, who considers primary school age as a period of formation of general work skills, the need to benefit society and the initial mastery of the meanings of work. Goal. To develop and test a career guidance and educational program for the formation of knowledge among younger schoolchildren about the diversity of the modern world of professions. Hypotheses: the career guidance and educational program will contribute to: 1) raising awareness among younger schoolchildren about modern professions; 2) specifying the professional plan and preferring more modern and sought-after professions within the framework of the initially chosen broad subject area. Methods and materials. The study involved 116 Moscow schoolchildren aged 8—9 years, who formed an experimental group that participated in a career guidance and educational program, and a control group that participated in activities aimed at general broadening of horizons. The questionnaire “Do you know the profession?” by E.A. Dorenbush was used, professional plans were clarified through a survey. Results. The proven program helps to increase the awareness of younger students about professions. Conclusions. It is shown that as a result of the career guidance and educational program for younger schoolchildren, it was possible to increase their awareness of professions and make professional preferences more specific.