The St Petersburg University Representative Office in Moldova discusses how to build a career in an era of change

Marina Petrash, Candidate of Psychology, Associate Professor in the Department of Developmental Psychology and Differential Psychology at St Petersburg University, spoke about the resources to walk through professional crises.

As theoretical foundations defining how to prepare competent experts and qualified specialists, Marina Petrash proposed a concept of the multipolar world characterised by the distribution of power and influence between several large centres. International organisations and alliances create unique conditions for the development of professional activity. Among the essential elements of career success is cultural diversity and multilateral diplomacy, which requires experts with high intercultural competence and effective communication skills in a global context.

The Representative Office of St Petersburg University at Slavonic University in the Republic of Moldova was opened in April last year. The first open lecture was ‘Moldova-Russia communicative relations: historical aspect’ by Sergei Ushchipovskiy, Candidate of Philology and Associate Professor in the Department of History of Journalism at St Petersburg University.

Sergei Ushchipovskiy considered professional development not just as a linear rapid movement up the corporate ladder, but also as a dynamic process of transformation. We are talking about profound changes in mental functions and personality traits that arise in close interaction with the professional environment. This process includes both formal education and active practical activities that require a constant response to new challenges. In this regard, inevitable crisis stages naturally arise, when goals and key values are revised, and the career trajectory changes. According to Marina Petrash, the moments that are associated with the activation of adaptation processes and internal changes open up new opportunities for self-realisation and further growth.

As part of the online lecture, Marina Petrash presented a structured analysis of the stages of professional development that correlate with the periods of adulthood. Considering the early stage, she identified the key stages that determine the formation of a competent expert. In the first three years in the job, a young professional adapts to the team and overcomes the stress of expectations. The internal stage, i.e. three up to five years of experience, is characterised by the formation of a socio-professional status and a collision with a career growth crisis, stimulating the search for new opportunities for self-realisation.

Middle adulthood is the stage of life in which a professional typically attains mastery, characterised by a high level of performance in professional duties, the development of stable professional self-esteem, and the growing relevance of issues related to further development.

The stage when a specialist becomes a mentor, passing on their experience to a new generation of employees, was defined by Marina Petrash as the stage of late adulthood. At this stage, an individual may confidently manage several professions and address challenges related to creative self-determination. Nevertheless, the transition to retirement age was identified by the expert as a potential crisis, brought about by the loss of a significant part of one’s professional identity and a key component of life experience.

Having outlined the potential difficulties associated with the stages of professional development, Marina Petrash, Associate Professor of St Petersburg University, addressed the key factors that contribute to successful career growth in the conditions of a multipolar world. She emphasised that in order to overcome challenges and realise potential, it is necessary to pay attention to continuous education, the development of soft skills, mastering modern technologies and tools, and the ability to work with new information systems.

In conclusion, Marina Petrash said that today career success is determined not only by competencies, but also by the ability to build strong connections, adapt to changing conditions and work effectively in a multi-level environment. Developing interpersonal skills and active networking are becoming the key to achieving goals and professional heights.

Earlier, the lecture on modern online slang and its role in everyday speech was held at the St Petersburg University Representative Office. Kira Shchukina, Candidate of Philology and Associate Professor in the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language and Methods of Its Teaching at St Petersburg University, spoke about current changes in the vocabulary of the Russian language. Other events are also scheduled to be held at the Representative Office. More information can be found in the section ‘Calendar’.