Regional Culture as a Factor Shaping Youth Career Interests: Values, Social Roles, and Cultural Practices

This article examines the influence of regional culture on the formation of youth career interests in the context of contemporary socio-economic and cultural transformations. The relevance of the study lies in the need to identify culturally grounded mechanisms that support young people’s professional self-determination and contribute to the sustainable development of regional labor markets. The object of the research includes value orientations, social roles, and cultural practices embedded in specific regional environments that shape young people’s perceptions of professional prestige, career opportunities, and motivation for skill development. The aim of the study is to reveal the mechanisms through which regional cultural capital is transformed into professional competencies and stable career interests. The methodological framework is based on cultural studies and an interdisciplinary approach. The research employs theoretical analysis of academic literature, comparative analysis of Russian and Chinese regional practices, qualitative case-study of specific professional situations, and interpretation of secondary empirical data. The scientific novelty lies in the development of the concept of “regional employment culture” and in proposing a model that explains the relationship between cultural values, social roles, institutional training systems, and youth professional identity formation. The findings demonstrate that labor branding, educational clusters, and the activation of cultural heritage increase the attractiveness of local professions, strengthen youth motivation, and promote workforce retention. The results can be applied in regional education and employment policy design.