EDN: https://elibrary.ru/yxlbkw
DOI: 10.21064/WinRS.2026.3.3
This article examines the process of recruiting women into the information and communication technology sector. The results are interpreted from the perspective of Pierre
Bourdieu’s theoretical approach. Based on the author’s empirical study using biographical interviews, several aspects of school education have been identified that contribute to the process of career orientation among girls. First and foremost, inclinations and interests in the study of school subjects are interpreted as a cognitive element of habitus. As they progress through the school curriculum, female students become aware of their inclinations, and favorite subjects emerge that shape their career strategies. In addition to the role of subjects directly related to the field of information and communication (mathematics, computer science, physics), the study highlights the role of foreign language learning as linguistic capital. The article highlights the contribution of the teacher, who acts as a guide to the world of academic subjects, capable of stimulating interest, and as an agent of career guidance during the stage of choosing a university and major. Participation in academic competitions and receiving a medal upon graduation are identified as additional factors in the recruitment process. Regarding academic competitions, the issue of initiative is important, and this initiative can come from either the teacher or the student. Participation in academic competitions and winning medals in high school are viewed as a form of cultural capital. The author reached the following conclusion: as students master academic subjects with the teacher’s guidance, a specific habitus is formed, which serves as the foundation for the thought processes involved in deciding on postsecondary educational and career strategies.