More than 60% of students have work experience during their studies. Among them, 32% hold permanent positions, while 29% are involved in projects or part-time jobs. 29% of working students are employed by large corporations, while 58% work for small companies. 24% combine studies with freelance or project work, 13% work in startups, and 8% are entrepreneurs.
The survey reveals that 73% of students work for financial independence, while 27% seek practical skills and 26% want to increase their employment chances after graduation. 19% of students aim to expand their professional network. Over 60% of working students plan to continue in their specialty, and 12% use their first job as a test of their professional choice.
Regarding education, 25% of students view university as a source of practical knowledge, 23% as fundamental preparation, and 21% as a necessity for a successful career. Only 12% prioritize the diploma. 45% of respondents want to have a ready portfolio and multiple job offers by graduation, and another 45% value participation in hackathons and case championships for practical experience.
Internship programs are considered attractive based on on payment (54%), the ability to combine them with studies (53%), and the prospect of subsequent permanent employment (45%). While 48% of students consider internships the ideal scenario, only 34% have actual internship experience. 54% of students believe a strong portfolio and current practice are the main ways to enter their dream company, followed by internships or bootcamps (46%) and career events (44%).
The study was conducted by VK Education and the 'Tvoy Khod' All-Russian student project, involving 1,500 university students from all eight federal districts of Russia.