A study on career management skills among music industry professionals is currently looking for respondents. The purpose of the study is to investigate how professionals in the music industry can develop their career management skills and improve their well-being at work. Based on the results, practical tools and training programs will be developed to support professionals in working life.
A study by Jussi-Pekka Piirainen, a doctoral researcher at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts, examines how people in the music industry experience managing multiple concurrent professional roles (e.g., performer, teacher, composer, producer, entrepreneur) and what kinds of ways of thinking and approaches are used in managing a multi-role career.
Responses are welcome from everyone who works professionally in music, such as freelancers, gigging musicians, orchestra musicians, music teachers, composers, and songwriters. The survey is open until September 30, 2026.
Why is this research important?
A multi-role career is typical in the music industry, and it involves both opportunities and challenges. The research will generate new evidence-based knowledge about career paths in the music industry and provide a basis for developing practical tools and training programs that can better support music industry professionals’ career management and well-being at work.
What does the survey measure?
The survey measures music professionals’ experiences of different work roles and their impact on their careers. The results help to better understand how music industry professionals can develop their career management skills and improve their well-being at work.
Information about the research findings, as well as the tools and training programs to be developed based on them, will be provided once the research is complete.
Instructions for completing the survey
- The survey has 32 questions and takes about 15 minutes to complete.
- Most of the questions are multiple-choice.
- At the end, there are four open-ended questions where you can share your own views.
Data protection and voluntary participation
- Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time.
- Responses will be treated anonymously and confidentially.
- The study adheres to the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK principles of good scientific practice.
Further information and questions
Jussi-Pekka Piirainen
Doctoral Researcher, Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki
jussi-pekka.piirainen@uniarts.fi