Cross-cultural Mediation as a Job: Prospective Fields of Activity and Professional Competences (the Occupational Standard Case)

The modern process of globalization has led to constant interaction between people of different cultures. The given research work is dedicated to the relevant theme of cross-cultural mediation, which makes the abovementioned interaction successful. It investigates the cross-cultural mediation as a job, describes its prospective fields of activity and crucial competences for a cross-cultural mediator. The empirical evidence of this research is the Occupational Standard Case. The aim of this graduate work is to prove that cross-cultural mediation is a promising field of professional activity and a cross-cultural mediator is a new high demanded profession in Russia. To reach this aim it will be necessary to fulfil the following tasks: 1) to study the literature and background of cross-cultural mediation in order to define and characterize it as a job; 2) to provide the comparative analysis of foreign and Russian labor market; 3) to identify professional competences and qualities that are necessary for the cross-cultural mediator; 4) to identify prospective fields and spheres, where this profession could be applied; 5) to carry out analysis of existing Russian educational programs dedicated to cross-cultural communication and highlight crucial aspects for new programs of this sphere. To reach the aim of this work and answer all related questions the multi-methodological qualitative research has been applied that includes: systematization and classification of theoretical materials, document analysis, survey of Internet users, expert interview, case study research and content analysis. This research proves the relevance of cross-cultural mediation as a job and the necessity for a new profession – a cross-cultural mediator. Moreover, the results of this work may be practically applicable for employers and professors of higher educational institutions to introduce new educational programmes and improve the level of education quality as regards these specialists. The results of the research can also contribute to further studying and development of cross-cultural mediation in Russia. Key words: culture, cross-cultural communication, mediation, mediator, competences