Transformations  in
Business & Economics

Professional and Educational Activity Displayed by Polish Students in the Age of Globalization and World Economic Crisis
Wojciech Jarecki

ABSTRACT. At the turn of the 20^th and 21^st centuries, globalization was subject to development, technical and technological changes (relating to information technology and information transfer development of the so-called knowledge society) became more dynamic, yet the development of economies was curbed by world economic crisis. Although Poland faced it to a lesser extent, the crisis imposed more strict requirements on different groups functioning in the labour market, and particularly graduates who, having finished higher education, are to become specialists responsible for the functioning of companies and – as a result – the entire economy.

Having the above in mind, it was analyzed to what extent Polish students and students from other countries are active in the scope of improving their qualifications during studies. At the same time, a number of theses have been formulated. First of all, Polish students do not take active part in international student exchange. Secondly, the majority of economics students take up employment during studies and generate relatively high income. And thirdly, non-economics students take active part in other (apart from the aforementioned one) types of activity aimed at knowledge development. The analysis was based on statistical data derived from Eurostat and the survey conducted by the author among students and graduates of higher schools of economics. The analysis of statistical data allowed to prove the theses formulated.

KEYWORDS: higher education, expenditure on higher education, international mobility of students, education and professional activity, Poland.

JEL classification: I21, I23, P2.