Hard work and the KGB: Putin’s career advice to middle schoolers

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has opened up about his early career path through the KGB while discussing education and vocations with middle school students and their teachers at the Kremlin.

"The Shield and the Sword," a 1968 Soviet spy movie, is Putin's favorite movie from his childhood. It is a patriotic story featuring a Russian spy who travels to the then Nazi Germany to fight Nazism. It inspired many, including Putin, to join the Soviet intelligence agency.

“So I went to the KGB,” the Russian leader said.

He explained that he was greeted by “a kind man” in a reception room. The young Putin told the man that he wanted to be a security officer.

"He took it seriously and told me join the army or go to college. I asked what college I should go to. He said any university, but better to study law," said Putin.

He proceeded to place all his academic efforts into liberal arts, such as literature, foreign languages and history, eschewing traditional subjects like physics, chemistry and mathematics.

"I stopped doing those subjects. My teachers were very open-minded and I was so appreciative. They knew what I needed to do,” recalled Putin.

The president explained that he thought about becoming a pilot, but after some consideration, he was convinced operational jobs were not for him.

Putin also told the middle schoolers that it was not enough to just be knowledgeable, and that hard work was necessary.