Results of our studies

MOSCOW, November 20, 2007 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents information concerning to succeed and what the youth assumes that one needs in order to achieve that.

Contemporary youth of 18-35 years estimates the prospects of their career development quite sceptically: the majority believes that it is difficult or nearly impossible. It is a little bit easier to excel in creative trades than in business, management sphere or, especially, than in politics: 24% of the youth assume that it is rather easy to get promoted, - when practicing creative trades; in the spheres of business and management this share is lower: 14 % each, and only 7% believe so in the sphere of politics. The youth living in Moscow and St. Petersburg tends to be more optimistically inclined as far as the prospects of their career development are concerned, whereas young residents of small towns and villages tend to be significantly more pessimistic.

Business prospects are what attract youth the most - 58% of respondents at the age of 18-35 years would like to become successful in this sphere. At the same time 45% wish to excel pursuing an administrative activity, 23-25% each wish for a politics related or creative profession.

In order to climb up the career ladder it is especially important to have the necessary connections and acquaintances (as 59% of young Russians believe), as well as good professional qualifications and high proficiency (54%). Other conditions of success are mentioned less often, that being wealthy parents (39%), talent and exceptional capabilities (35%), residing in a big city (26%), luck (13%), etc.

The initiative All-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM in November 10-11, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population areas of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.

 

Do you find it easy for young people nowadays to climb the career ladder and attain success in the following spheres of activity?.. (One answer per, in % of those belonging to the age group of 18 to 35 years)

 

Business

Politics

Creative trades (musician, writer, actor)

Administration, management

Rather easy

14

7

24

14

Quite difficult

60

50

49

50

Nearly impossible

20

32

15

24

Hard to say

6

11

12

12

Do you find it easy for young people nowadays to climb the career ladder and attain success in the business sphere? (in % of those belonging to the age group of 18 to 35 years)

 

Total respondents

Type of Settlement

Moscow and St. Petersburg

More than 500 thousand residents

100-500 thousand residents

Less than 100 thousand residents

Villages

Rather easy

14

33

14

21

10

6

Quite difficult

60

54

69

56

59

58

Nearly impossible

20

13

14

19

19

28

Hard to say

6

-

3

4

12

6

Do you find it easy for young people nowadays to climb the career ladder and attain success in politics? (in % of those belonging to the age group of 18 to 35 years)

 

Total respondents

Type of Settlement

 

Moscow and St. Petersburg

More than 500 thousand residents

100-500 thousand residents

Less than 100 thousand residents

Villages

Rather easy

7

13

8

10

8

2

Quite difficult

50

42

54

59

50

46

Nearly impossible

32

40

34

24

28

36

Hard to say

11

5

4

7

14

16

Do you find it easy for young people nowadays to climb the career ladder and attain success in pursuing a creative trade?? (in % of those belonging to the age group of 18 to 35 years)

 

Total respondents

Type of Settlement

 

Moscow and St. Petersburg

More than 500 thousand residents

100-500 thousand residents

Less than 100 thousand residents

Villages

Rather easy

24

44

20

27

25

18

Quite difficult

49

38

54

52

44

50

Nearly impossible

15

13

17

12

12

20

Hard to say

12

5

9

9

19

12

Do you find it easy for young people nowadays to climb the career ladder and attain success in the sphere of administration or management? in % of those belonging to the age group of 18 to 35 years)

 

Total respondents

Type of Settlement

 

Moscow and St. Petersburg

More than 500 thousand residents

100-500 thousand residents

Less than 100 thousand residents

Villages

Rather easy

14

29

16

19

13

6

Quite difficult

50

38

59

53

45

49

Nearly impossible

24

23

20

20

25

30

Hard to say

12

10

5

8

17

15

Would you personally like to climb the ladder in one of these spheres? (One answer per, in % of those belonging to the age group of 18 to 35 years)

 

Business

Politics

Creative trades (musician, writer, actor)

Administration, management

Definitely so

25

7

9

14

Most likely so

33

16

16

31

Rather not

24

38

38

26

Most likely not

11

32

30

19

Hard to say

7

7

7

10

What do you think is especially important for the youth today in order to be able to climb the career ladder and attain success? (Up to three responses)

To have the necessary connections and acquaintances or marry well

59

To have good professional qualifications and high proficiency level

54

To have wealthy parents

39

To have a talent and exceptional capabilities

35

To be residing in a big city, such as Moscow and St. Petersburg

26

Just to be lucky

13

To be able to adjust, to flatter the management at a good hour

9

To be machiavillian in respect to morals, to be willing to lie or enter into sexual relations with the right people for career´s sake, etc.

6

To have good looks

4

To be strong physically, to possess twist of the wrist

4

To become member of a pro-governmental political party at the right time

3

To become member of an oppositional political party at the right time

0

Hard to say

2


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