The article considers the basic theoretical approaches to the problem of professional identity, accepted in Russian psychology. Not only classical works, but also the new theoretical studies of this problem are analysed by the author. The problem of professional identity is important not only for senior pupils but university students as well. Based on theoretical analysis, the author presents empirical research and its goal is the study of the features of professional identity of students with different strategies of self - assertion . The empirical research is being carried out using the «Self - assertion strategies» questionnaire by N. Kharlamenkova and the «Crossroad» approach by N. Pryazhnikov. As a result of empirical research it was revealed that boys and girls with different self - assertion strategies have differences when choosing areas of professional activity.

Keywords: professional identity, professional choice, first year students, self - assertion strategies