Regional Formation and Development Studies

Employers currently emphasise primarily the importance of the personal and social characteristics of employees, and focus less on their professional and business skills. Contrarily, employees often consider deep professional knowledge and skills to be their key strengths, and pay little attention to personal growth and the development of personal characteristics. The aim of the research is to compare the soft skills most frequently required by potential employers in job advertisements for the position of administrator to the employee soft skills predominantly identified by the students on the Tourism Administration course. A study designed to identify employer expectations was conducted in 2019 and 2021. In order to determine the opinions of students in 2021, a written questionnaire survey of higher education students on the Tourism Administration course was conducted. The analysis of the opinions of students, and an examination of employer expectations, demonstrate that employer expectations regarding the skills of potential employees, especially personal or soft skills, and student opinions, do not always match. The impact of the pandemic created a paradoxical situation in the labour market: before the pandemic, progressively more attention was being paid to employees’ soft skills; in the post-pandemic world and working in a hybrid way in the labour market, not all personal skills remain important.

Interest in ensemble performing is increasing in modern culture, so the study of the double piano concerto, a large ensemble genre, in the context of the modern understanding of culture as a universal informational and communicative space, is relevant. Culture is a means of socio-cultural communication, carried out through the generation and transmission of communicative codes that make up the text of culture. Through the realisation of a person’s creative potential in culture, art contributes to the comprehension of man’s being-in-culture, and his involvement in the cultural-creative process. This article is devoted to an analysis of the specificity of the concerto for two pianos and orchestra, in the context of the theoretical understanding of communicative processes in culture.

The article analyzes the specifics of the beauty therapist work. The article discusses the beauty therapist training in Lithuania, describes the required personal qualities and thinking skills and presents the competency groups for beauty therapists.

As a career develops throughout a person’s life, the andragogue consultant involved in this process, providing career guidance for adults, counselling, information and career development services, is particularly relevant. The article analyses, both theoretically and empirically, what characterises the process of providing career guidance services to adults, and how the andragogue consultant’s activities are manifested in providing support, guidance and counselling to those pursuing their lives and careers. Thus, the theoretical discourse of career guidance service andragogue consultant activity is analysed, and empirically substantiated career guidance service features, and links with andragogue consultant activities, are provided. The qualitative research carried out reveals that the characteristics of career guidance services are revealed through the activities of the andragogue as a competent career and life consultant. The summarised theoretical, documentary and empirical analysis suggests that the andragogue consultant’s career guidance, client-centred, needs-based approach is designed to help an adult choose their education and employment, career planning and management competencies, and create and develop a career.

The current tendencies in global society are clear: the internationalisation of studies in HEIs, the expansion of the labour market, foreign employees with a different cultural background in almost all organisations, etc. A successful professional life depends on the readiness of people to be open to global changes and innovation. Intercultural communication may lead to openness and a better preparation for a future career. This form of communication strengthens a positive attitude towards new trends in the labour market, global business, immigrants and foreigners. In addition, intercultural communication can be used to promote the local culture to others, and to become familiar with remote cultures. This article reveals the importance of intercultural communication for careers, and presents students’ perspectives. According to the results of the survey, intercultural communication is beneficial for personal development: it strengthens qualities such as self-esteem and confidence, and can form new abilities such as critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork. This type of communication provides students with more opportunities to study abroad, and ensures a competitive advantage in business. As students noted, intercultural communication should be practised constantly, and its beneficial aspects have a positive impact on the broader world-view, cultural awareness and career prospects.