ВИБІР ПРОФЕСІЇ ПЕРСОНАЛОМ: ВАГАННЯ МІЖ ДОХОДОМ ТА ПРОФЕСІЙНОЮ САМОРЕАЛІЗАЦІЄЮ. ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ НА РИНКУ ПРАЦІ ТА КАР’ЄРНІ РІШЕННЯ В УКРАЇНІ

The article reflects the motivations behind career choice and describes financial and purpose aspects in the current state of the Ukrainian labor market. This article explores the complex decision-making process behind career choice, emphasizing financial incentives and good reputation or social recognition. Financially motivated individuals often choose careers in IT, corporations, financial structures, or private healthcare organizations, driven by economic stability, high income, and job security. These fields are currently supported by labor market trends showing high demand and skill shortages, which drive up salaries and offer secure employment. In contrast, reputation-driven individuals frequently choose careers in academia, education, social work, and public health. These professions have high social value but low financial compensation. These roles are commonly undervalued economically, and vulnerable to political and fiscal instability, despite their vital contributions to long-term social well-being, but still in high demand. The article highlights a systemic disparity in how society values different professions, arguing for a broader metric beyond income to assess social contribution. The paper also presents an analysis of Ukraine's labor market between 2021 and 2025. The number of full-time employees declined sharply in 2022 due to economic disruption, followed by a gradual recovery. In 2025, the most in-demand jobs include retail associates, customer service workers, drivers, cooks, nurses, accounts professions often selected for their accessibility, flexibility, or job security. Professions such as freelancers, translators, system administrators, and pharmacists remain significant, although not highly ranked in job postings due to specialization or newness on the labor market. Despite economic challenges, Ukraine shows potential for labor market improvement through education reform, innovation, and foreign investment. The article concludes that career decisions are shaped not only by market conditions but also personal values, and that policies should reflect the full spectrum of social and economic motivations.