Professional Self-Identification Specifics and Trends in Post-Soviet Russia

Abstract

This article is devoted to analyzing the current issues, specifics and dynamics of professional self-identification in post-Soviet Russia. Analysis is based on data from the “Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey” (RLMS–HSE). We see that in an unstable society subject to crisis professional self-identification remains to be one of the most reliable and stable components of social self-identification. Professional status, current job, the latter’s substance and social significance for many Russian citizens turn out to be the primary criteria that define their place in the status hierarchy. Just like twenty years ago, professional identity is one of the most common and important basic identities. It is closely correlated with age and education, much more so than most other identities. Meanwhile in a time of uncertainty due to crisis, an increasing diversity of professional activities is accompanied by ever more vague identification benchmarks. A growing number of workers encounter serious difficulties when searching for their own identity. Often times even within a single small professional group self-identification can bear various meanings for its members. A noticeable, though not very pronounced positive connection was identified between professional identity and satisfaction with labor, as well as certain aspects such as working conditions, opportunities for professional growth, relations within the team. Some marked positive tendencies of the last two decades include improvements in self-assessments of professional aptitude among those who are engaged in labor demanding high or average qualification.