Career Development Dynamics and Expectations of Singing Students Receiving Vocational Music Education

Abstract

This study examines the factors that affect the career development of vocal music students, as well as their expectations, experiences and challenges. The aim of the study is to reveal the factors that influence the students’ choice of vocal music as a major, their career planning and development processes, their personal and professional goals, their university experiences and how they cope with the difficulties in vocational education. The study group consists of 12 students who receive vocal music education in different regions, degrees, universities and faculties, and this way, the general patterns related to the subject are determined. The study is conducted with a qualitative method and a case study design. Data obtained from unstructured observation, unstructured interview, document analysis and semi-structured interviews are handled from the perspectives of Super’s career development theory and Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The analyses are carried out with Maxqda qualitative data analysis software. As a result of the analysis, themes are created under the headings of career planning, career development and goals, personal goals, university experience and coping with professional difficulties. The results of the study are expected to contribute to the determination of students’ career expectations, the organization of teaching strategies and the foresights to be created for the development of guidance and counseling activities.