The article examines the concept of "professional identity" from the point of view of sociology. The current situation on the labor market is considered and trends in the field of vocational education are identified based on the analysis of official statistical data of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. The features of secondary vocational education in comparison with higher education are highlighted and the choice of a contingent of college students as an object of research is justified. Based on the results of the educational activities of the teacher-organizer at the assembly college, taking into account the data of the guide interviews and monitoring of accounts in social networks, the attitude of students participating in an amateur creative musical group to their future profession was analyzed. The influence of classes in clubs on professional socialization, the setting of life priorities, the development of soft skills has been clarified. The creative team is considered as a real small social group with its inherent properties, including direct interaction of participants, distribution of roles and statuses. The authors identify typological features of student amateur activity depending on motivation, attitude to classes, regularity, effectiveness of attendance and other parameters. Concrete examples from practice are given, showing what role musical creativity plays in the life of college graduates during their studies and after graduation.