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Education
19:20, 05 October 2025
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To Be or Not to Be? 'T Lessons' Help Russian Students Choose Their Future Careers

A nationwide career guidance project called 'T Lessons' is launching in Russian schools. Its goal is to give high school students a chance to 'try on' IT and engineering professions and see how technical knowledge translates into real-world work.

Behind the Scenes of a Career

A major shift is underway in Russian education, spearheaded by some of the country’s largest corporations. The federal project 'T Lessons' is a strategic alliance between top industry leaders — including T-Bank, VK, Yandex, Ozon, Avito, and Sberbank — and the national education system. Its mission: not just to explain but to show how modern technology industries function and to inspire students to pursue careers in IT and engineering.

“Many students have no opportunity to see what their future jobs actually look like,” said Varvara Smirnova, Director of T-Education. “We want to help them make this choice consciously — to find a profession that will inspire them.”

The initiative is a long-term investment in Russia’s talent pipeline. It bridges the gap between academia and the real economy, addressing a persistent imbalance — where universities often produce theorists ill-prepared for the demands of modern industries.

For millions of families, 'T Lessons' represents a window into the jobs of the future. Instead of abstract career talks, students get hands-on exposure through internships, field trips, and mentorship from professionals — a chance to explore potential careers before committing years to a university major.

Immersive Learning at Scale

Early career immersion programs supported by industry have proven successful in countries such as Germany, South Korea, and China. What makes 'T Lessons' unique is its scale — a true public-private partnership operating nationwide. If successful, the model could evolve into an exportable EdTech product, complete with licensed virtual career modules and global partnerships.

“When we look at applicants to our mathematics programs, it’s clear that many have little idea of what people in science-heavy industries actually do — from research to fintech,” she explained. “As a result, critical life decisions, such as choosing a major or a research advisor, are often made blindly, leading to burnout and frustration. Thoughtful career guidance can help prevent that.”
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The challenge will be maintaining student engagement and ensuring companies see measurable returns — not just fulfilling corporate social responsibility. If the program is reduced to formal lectures or routine excursions, it risks losing momentum. Equally important will be close coordination with the Ministry of Education to ensure the program complements, rather than conflicts with, the existing curriculum.

A National Ecosystem for Career Readiness

'T Lessons' evolved from a corporate initiative launched in 2023, when tech employees gave lectures in hundreds of schools across Russia, reaching over 16,000 students. Over the past five years, the ecosystem of career-oriented EdTech projects has expanded rapidly. Programs like 'Ticket to the Future' offer online diagnostics and guidance, while 'Lesson in Digital' introduces coding and technology concepts. Meanwhile, 'Quantorium' children’s technoparks provide hubs for hands-on technical creativity. 'T Lessons' aims to integrate and scale these separate initiatives into one cohesive platform with direct industry access.

The program’s next phase envisions VR and AR simulators for workplace scenarios, virtual internships, and metrics to track impact — such as the number of students choosing technical majors or entering STEM programs. Business partners will compete to develop the most effective learning methods, creating a marketplace of educational innovations and regional EdTech solutions.

In the long term, 'T Lessons' could redefine how Russian students choose careers — by merging real-world experience with modern digital learning environments.

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