The article, based on the research of Robert Burns, reveals the essence of the concept of «self-concept», which characterizes it as a relatively stable, conscious system of ideas of an individual about himself, on the basis of which he builds his interaction with other people and treats himself. The author theoretically substantiates the mentioned phenomenon as a determining factor of the professional self-determination of an individual who is aware of himself as a subject of a specific professional activity, including self-assessment of his own individual and psychological qualities and comparing his capabilities with the requirements for this field of training. Professional self-determination of the future specialist is presented as one of the important stages of the process of personality development, which is quite complex in its content. The author characterizes it as a dynamic, integral process of entry into the profession, the result of which is the selection and design of future pedagogical activities, which takes place in the educational environment of a higher education institution, through a conscious and active attitude of the student to his own life perspective, to mastering the future profession, and provides a high the level of professional and pedagogical communication, developed empathy, respect for the individual, psychological insight and the ability to work in a team. He defines the self-concept as an important factor in the professional self-determination of the future specialist, which significantly affects his success, and also accumulates at its core a set of ideas: what an individual is, what he thinks about himself, his understanding of the basics of his own activity, comparison of opportunities and abilities, outline of development prospects in the future. In order to ensure the success of professional formation and self-determination, the student must comprehensively know and evaluate himself, his capabilities, develop pedagogical reflection in himself, which contributes to the formation of a conscious attitude to the problem of self-determination and purposefulness of this process, the dynamics of which are significantly influenced by pedagogical creativity. The student's self-concept is gradually formed through his awareness of himself as a subject of action, through his perception of himself as a subject in the system of relationships in the new student environment, which orients him to self-affirmation in educational and social activities. In the future, this directs him to self-determination and conscious self-regulation of his actions based on the internal formation of a professional position and to the feeling of himself as the author of his own activity, the creator of his actions.