ABSTRACT. This article examines the importance of pre-profile preparation of school students for making informed career choices and highlights key challenges in organizing career guidance within general education institutions. It clarifies the main concepts, structural components, and indicators of students’ readiness for professional self-determination, as well as outlines pedagogical conditions that support effective career orientation at the upper secondary level. The study emphasizes the use of active and interactive teaching methods, practice oriented approaches, and information and communication technologies that enhance students’ readiness for future professional choices. Special attention is given to the organization of career guidance networking, involving cooperation between schools, students, parents, and employers through various forms of interaction supported by communicative platforms. The article also highlights the importance of practice-based activities such as professional trials, internships, simulations, and career guidance games. The findings suggest that the implementation of these pedagogical approaches contributes to improving students’ awareness and readiness for professional self-determination. The study reflects general conditions relevant to school education systems, including those of the Kyrgyz Republic, where strengthening career guidance remains an important educational priority.