Student Associations as a Tool for Developing the Human Capital of Youth

Russian student youth has become an important segment of state policy with a focus on creating conditions for the development of the younger generation, including within the university framework. The article presents the results of a sociological survey conducted through a questionnaire in 2023. A quota sample of 490 students of Saratov State University was surveyed. The influence of the specifics of the student association on the activities and the quality of the students' human capital is clearly traced. In the process of participating in student associations, youth gain valuable practical experience which can be used to capitalize on social capital in their future. However, most students are satisfied with their involvement in their respective associations but see drawbacks, such as time constraints, interference with studies, and to some extent, in job searching. It has been confirmed that goal-setting as a design competence of students is weakly developed, requiring special attention from the university. Ladies are more focused on realizing their talents, developing organizational abilities, and initiative, but often note that this activity interferes with their studies. Young men value more the development in associations of such qualities as responsibility, creativity and determination. However, they are more likely to be active for the company and feel a greater sense of time pressure. The students' age also plays an important role. The older the student, the more actively he realizes the potential gained in the association to find a job.