The hypothesis that
this paper advances is that the definition of a life plan within a clear time
scale is the basic guidance framework - perhaps the only one that can help the
subject in his or her effort to construct an identity and negotiate the
transition from study to work. This hypothesis has been tested in empirical
exploratory research into the university guidance system in the largest Italian
University ("La Sapienza" University of Rome ), with particular
attention to the target of young leavers.