MTS Launches Career Guidance Testing for School Students
One of Russia’s largest telecom operators has introduced a new initiative aimed at inspiring future young specialists to pursue careers in the digital and telecommunications industries.
A Need for New Talent
Russia’s IT market is experiencing a strong demand for skilled professionals, and major companies are taking proactive steps to prepare the next generation. Among them is MTS, one of the country’s leading telecom and digital ecosystem providers, which is now targeting young talent not only in universities but even in schools.
To achieve this, MTS has launched a new career guidance test designed specifically for school students. Developed as part of the company’s Virtuality project, the test features ten questions that help identify students’ strengths and determine which areas of digital technology best match their abilities and interests.
The test is available on MTS’s career website. Based on the results, participants receive recommendations for one of seven career paths: software developer, QA engineer, team lead, UI/UX designer, data analyst, cybersecurity specialist, or content creator.
A Systematic Approach to IT Education
The free online test is part of MTS’s broader strategy to promote digital literacy and professional orientation among school-age students. The program includes a wide range of projects and volunteer activities designed to increase awareness of career opportunities in technology.
“We work systematically with young audiences to promote digital education and career awareness. The industry offers endless opportunities for self-realization and exciting careers, and our task as one of Russia’s leading IT employers is to introduce children to new technology professions,” said Maria Shapovalova, Director of Employer Brand Development and Internal Communications at MTS Digital Ecosystem.
Beyond Testing: Building Digital Awareness
The Virtuality project is also focused on children living in social care institutions. Participants are introduced to modern digital technologies and related professions and learn the basics of working with neural networks, 3D modeling, and chatbot development.
In 2024 alone, MTS organized 150 master classes across 21 Russian cities, attended by over 3,600 children from 132 social institutions. The initiative also produced two educational podcasts, which have already been listened to by more than 6,000 users.
MTS regularly hosts office tours for students to show them firsthand how high-tech operations work. In Moscow, the company’s Web Services division held 22 such tours with around 500 participants. The Path to a Career with MTS project opened its doors to 160 teenagers from social institutions in Moscow, the Moscow region, and cities including Yekaterinburg, Barnaul, Rostov-on-Don, Tver, Tula, and St. Petersburg.
Expanding Opportunities Across Russia
MTS is not the only company investing in youth career guidance. Since 2016, Yandex Lyceum has offered training for students aged 13–20, helping them gain foundational technical knowledge. Graduates who complete the program can earn up to five extra points when applying to top Russian universities such as HSE, ITMO, FEFU, and others.
Online education platform Skillbox has also launched career orientation testing that spans multiple fields — from IT to medicine — providing personalized course recommendations based on test results.
At the national level, the YaProf.RF platform has introduced its own 25-question test, developed by the non-profit organization National Priorities in collaboration with Profilum, to help participants choose industries and educational institutions.
This growing ecosystem of online testing makes IT career preparation more accessible, especially for students in remote regions. The digital format removes geographical barriers and broadens opportunities for professional development. Experts also note that such technology could become an exportable product. Career testing platforms can be adapted for partner countries, with localized question sets tailored to each region’s workforce and education needs.
