The impact of higher music education (HME) studies on career trajectories

This paper investigates factors affecting students’ career trajectories within Higher Music Education (HME) studies. Research findings from three institutions (USA and Australia) detail perspectives into the evolving employability of music professionals and propose strategies for fostering success in HME by enhancing the professional opportunities for music graduates. Aspirations reported in ePortfolios during internship placements led to students recognising alternate discipline possibilities when working with industry. Co-curricular work (teaching assistantships, service-learning assignments, faculty-mentored research) expanded doctoral students’ thinking about employment and multi-modal thesis work informed career trajectories. These activities developed employment-related problem-solving and resilience strategies with employability conversations and thinking encouraging HME students and academics to acknowledge the non-musical preparation required for engaging in meaningful work across the creative/performing arts industry. How to nurture expanding career pathways of professional musicians by utilising optimal circumstances for success is discussed while also questioning the impact of professional roles for graduates across a changing and dynamic societal landscape.