Choice of Profession During the Pandemic: Trajectories of Adolescents in Public and Private Schools

We aim to understand and discuss, based on Historical-Cultural Psychology, aspects involved in the trajectories of choosing a profession of adolescents from public and private schools in Uberlândia - MG during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2021, we virtually carried out a qualitative, longitudinal survey with nine high school students, with four stages: filling out a questionnaire via Google Forms; first semi-structured interview; second semi-structured interview; and group practice. Using meaning cores, we analyzed the information and built four axes: Intended courses - between interests and concrete information; The school and the (un)preparation for entry into Higher Education; The family - source of support and/or pressure; Future plans and the centrality of admission to Higher Education. Thus, we emphasize: the insufficiency, mainly, of public schools to enable a process of conscious professional choice; and the role of the institution and school psychologists in providing Professional Guidance that helps in this decision.