When I grow up… Predictors of creative career aspirations among high school students

Abstract

The Creative Economy has received growing investment and attention from governments and policy makers in recent years, due to its contribution to employment, economic growth and social well-being. However, for these investments to bear fruit, young people need to be drawn towards a career in the creative industries. During the past two decades, efforts have promoted ‘STEM’ careers but less importance has been placed on the Arts. Although STEM has recently evolved into ‘STEAM’ to include the Arts, limited research has been conducted on whether the Arts are perceived as attractive career options by young people, and the factors that contribute to creative career aspirations are poorly understood. This paper addresses these gaps in the literature by asking: To what extent are creative activities of high school students associated with creative career aspirations? Data was gathered from 400 students aged between 11 and 16 in Malta (EU). A questionnaire underpinned by the 4 Ps model of creativity (Rhodes, 1961) and relevant extant research was administered in class. Correlations and OLS regressions were performed to test relationships between variables. Findings indicate that involvement in creative activities at school and in free time are predictors of creative career aspirations. Gender and parental education were also found to determine career preferences, with girls being more likely to envision a career in the Arts, and higher parental education bearing a negative influence on such aspirations.