Work in the Russian nuclear industry: attitudes of school graduates

Based on the empirical studies conducted in cities with Russian nuclear power companies, the authors investigate the main factors in the development of school graduates’ attitude to work in the nuclear industry. The paper presents the results of a survey of first-year students studying in specialized higher education institutions. The research identifies the reasons for students’ choice of enterprises established to create the Russian nuclear shield. Information is provided on the role of the family, school, industry-specific training, meetings with nuclear experts, and university lecturers in the growth and development of high school students’ interest in majors in the field under review. However, young people face challenges when they are trained to put specialized knowledge into practice. There is still no results-based management system aimed at developing school graduates’ attitudes to professions relevant to the nuclear industry and work in this field after graduation from related universities. Therefore, it is necessary to devise a career guidance program and involve school students in its implementation to develop their deliberate attitudes towards professional self-fulfillment and self-affirmation in the nuclear industry.