Characteristics of self-perception and meaningfulness of life of professionally determined students

Southern Federal University, 344711 Rostov-on-Don, Russia

^* Corresponding author: ryumshina@sfedu.ru

Abstract

Professional identity is the embodiment of life’s meanings and values of the individual. Its fulfillment rests in its basis on the person’s perception of oneself and attitude toward oneself. Even choosing a certain profession and studying it, the students still have a choice of further professional identity. In consideration of the foregoing,the purpose of the work is to study the characteristics of self-perception and meaningful orientations of professionally determined students. Methodological tools of the study were Maslow’s self-actualization scales, a test of meaningful orientations, a questionnaire aimed at identifying professionally determined and not determined students. 96 students took part in the study. The results showed that professionally determined students have a tendency to a fairly high general meaningfulness of life. They feel that they can manage their own lives and have a sufficient level of responsibility. The self-esteem of the professionally determined students is related to the positive perception of their life in each of its periods. In general, professionally determined students have many characteristics similar to professionally not determined students, but they also have specific features. They are manifested in the interconnection between meaningful orientations, self-esteem and self-acceptance of professionally determined and not determined students.