Аннотация:The article investigates the professional and family career expectations among young women enteringadulthood (student youth). The questionnaire developed for this study determines the desire of youngwomen to build a balanced life, where both professional development and building a family have equalimplementation chances. Given the general trend towards balance, specific groups were identified. Onegroup gave priority to building a professional career, another one – to family. The third group was highlyuncertain. The types of motivational structure were associated with the type of career prospects. The youngwomen focused on communication with other people were inclined to prioritize family career, the maininducers of which were the desire to have a close relationship with a partner, sense of security, desire tohave and raise children (parenthood). The young women strongly focused on self-realization, tend to builda professional career first, which allows them to realize personal interests and ensure the best disclosure ofpotential. The group of young women whose motivational aspirations are related to self-analysis and selfknowledge is of interest. They seemed to be closed to interpersonal relations, which makes family buildingirrelevant for them. The desire for a close interpersonal relationship turned out to be incompatible with themotivational focus on themselves. The study shows that the motivational structure becomes the basis forbuilding professional and family careers when entering adulthood.