Predictors of creative career aspirations among secondary school students in Malta

Abstract

In recent years, scholars, governments and policymakers have shown increasing interest and investment in the creative industries, recognizing their significance in terms of employment, economic growth, and social well-being. However, for these investments to yield positive outcomes, it is crucial to attract young individuals towards pursuing careers in the creative industries. While efforts over the past two decades have largely focused on promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers, the Arts have received comparatively less attention. Despite the recent evolution of STEM into STEAM by including the Arts, there remains a gap in the literature concerning young people’s perceived attractiveness of careers in the creative industries, and on the factors that shape aspirations towards such careers. This paper contributes towards filling this gap by addressing the following research question: What are the factors underlying secondary school students’ creative career aspirations? Data were gathered from 400 students aged 11 to 16 attending nine schools in Malta. A questionnaire, structured around the 4 Ps model of creativity (Rhodes, 1961) and informed by prior research, was distributed during class. Correlations and OLS regressions were conducted to examine the relationships between various factors. Results indicate that engaging in creative activities, both at school and during leisure time, positively shapes aspirations towards creative careers. Additionally, gender and parental education were identified as significant predictors of career preferences, with girls showing a greater tendency to aspire to careers in the Arts, and higher parental education being negatively associated with creative career aspirations.