Exploring music careers: Music graduates and early career trajectories in the uk

The chapter examines the connections and dynamics linking higher education and music careers. The emerging literature on the role of higher education in the creative economy,in general, reveals a growing interest in the sector, which is expanding courses in this area. However, creative graduates face great difficulties in entering the professional networks and employment opportunities of the creative sector. Drawing on statistical data from HESA (Higher Education Statistical Agency) and some explorative interviews with recent graduates, we explore the career patterns and trajectories of music graduates and their employment after graduation. The findings suggest that music graduates are overall aware of the difficulty of a career in music and performing arts. Compared to other creative graduates, music graduate enjoy a stronger position on the labour market but are also more likely to go into further education. Only a minority of music graduates enter the music and performing arts sector, and an even smaller group enters the broader creative economy. Education is a preferred career path but other sectors are also relevant employers. Music graduate seem to suffer (in the short term) in the transition from education to work but the longitudinal views highlight a stronger position in the job market and improved graduate level occupations. The accounts from graduates’ interviews point to the need to offer a broader range of career opportunities and options to graduates but they leave university.