values, work, young generation, Visegrad countries

The paper discusses the issues of experience and value of work in the awareness of the young generation – students from Visegrad (V4) countries. The young generation of V4 countries is the first generation whose reality is based on the laws of capitalism, with all the opportunities and threats presented by this system, also in the employment domain. The paper first presents the concept of work and its value in the context of Ronald Inglehart's values. An analysis was carried out on the basis of empirical research, with the use of auditorium survey, within the framework of the Visegrad Standard Grant: “The economic awareness of the young generation of Visegrad countries” and our own additional research. The research was conducted in higher education institutions in the four V4 countries – in Poland in Katowice, in Slovakia in Nitra, in the Czech Republic in Olomouc and Ostrava, as well as in Hungary in Gödöllő. The paper will explore one of the elements of economic awareness, namely work. The discussion will revolve around the experience of work by students in V4 countries, the value of work in their awareness and the statements concerning the value of work. A comparison will be made within national groups. The summary of the paper attempts to construct the types of students depending on the manner in which they experience and value work.