The article presents an analytical review of modern sociological longitudinal studies of educational trajectories of young people, which are conducted in Russia, the United States and the countries of the European Union. The goals, objectives, and characteristics of the research samples are compared. The methodological features of studying the trajectories of young people in educational systems and in the labor market are considered. The main aspects of the research of educational trajectories and career paths that are in the focus of sociologists ‘ attention are touched upon: gender, ethnic, socio-economic and psychological. The conclusions obtained in the course of the study are presented. It resulted in the understanding that Western and domestic longitudinal studies of educational trajectories agree that the social status, material well-being, as well as the “educational experience” of parents or other family members, have a great influence on the decision-making of young people regarding their further educational and professional career. In the context of different countries and research plans-describing the educational trajectories of students, predictive determination of people choosing a particular career path, consistent reconstruction of trajectories — it was found that low-resource groups in higher education, such as students from disadvantaged families, follow less linear and less smooth trajectories in higher education. Russian studies are distinguished by the fact that they consider and study educational and professional trajectories in close connection with each other, and also focus on the problem of the relationship between socio-economic factors and individual choice. At the same time, there is a lack of a comprehensive study of non-material and non-cognitive factors that influence decision-making at the crucial moment of transition to vocational education or from the education system to the labor market.