Abstract

A shortage of professional counselling and guidance services in high schools has resulted in difficulties for Kazakhstani adolescents in choosing a profession. Studying this issue is important to modernize education and society due to the state policy. The main work on modernization is carried out during high school and on the development of students’ readiness to determine their future professions and to choose their own professional path. Thus, research questions were as follows. What factors influence the career choices of Kazakhstani high school students, and which professions are the most preferred? Is there a need for career guidance classes for high school students? The purpose of the research was to study the status and motives of professional self-determination of teenagers, to raise their awareness and mindfulness when it comes to professional choices, and to develop their life skills, preparing them for responsible citizenship. The research included a preliminary analysis of professional choices of ninth- and tenth-graders of Almaty, their subsequent training and awareness of certain occupations, soft skills development, and retesting. The sample consisted of 358 ninth-grade students and 277 tenth-grade students between fifteen and seventeen years old. A questionnaire on professional choice was used for the study. The majority of ninth- and tenth-graders were undecided on their professions in preliminary study. Training and providing information on professions led to students being better informed about their career choices. The results of the study were discussed and recommendations amended at teachers’ meetings of schools who participated in the project, Methodical Center of Ministry of Education, and open discussion with professionals at the Fund of First President.