It seems evident that the prospects of the country's development lie in a balanced model of the sectors and branches of Russia's economy, first and foremost with the creation of high-technology sectors and with higher significance attached to intellectual work and services. In terms of sociology, this task is linked closely to changes in the professional structure, and the focus is on groups of workers of high qualification. They are the ones who comprise the intellectual potential of economic growth, an essential factor in the dynamics of branches and sectors of the economy that are based on high technologies and lead to innovations. The present article looks at the resources of the intellectual potential in the professional structure, in other words, the professional groups of workers who have a high level of education and are employed in work that requires high qualifications and the performance of multifunctional tasks. The focus of the examination is concentrated on the current state as well as on the transformation of the redistribution of these groups in the current period. The latter, moreover, is interpreted as changes in the structure, status, and characteristics of workplaces [and in] the professional activity of specialists. A particular focus of attention is the character, tendencies, and factors of labor mobility, whose intensiveness and quality have always been viewed as extremely important indicators of the functioning and development of society. Analysis on the current state of the intellectual and professional potential of Russia shows that the career aspirations of young specialists do not fit well with the labor force needs, and are not well suited to developing crucial areas of the economy. (Contains 7 tables and 7 notes.) [This article was translated by Kim Braithwaite.]