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Russian Youth in the Labour Market: ‘Portfolioability’ as New Desire and Demand
This article contributes to the debate on portfolio and organisational careers and presents the results of qualitative research on young Russian employees. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has experienced several economic and social crises, which has had a signifi cant impact on the labour market. The employment level remains relatively stable in Russia due to institutionalised precarity. The analysis of 60 in-depth biographical interviews with young employees from St. Petersburg demonstrated that young Russians in the contemporary labour market can be characterised by portfolioability. This term is a multidimensional construct that includes practices, meanings of work, attitudes and capital. Portfolioability is expressed in fl exibility, experience, transferable skills and multiple employment practices. Moreover, it is portfolioability, which in some cases becomes a resource of increasing security in the labour market and developing agency.