Also in association with Swinburne University,
the University of Wollongong, Australian National University,
Charles Darwin University, Edith Cowan University, ACID and AFTRS
Download paper: Follow your bliss
Careers in the creative sector are unusual in that they are characterised by boundarylessness, in which short term employment relationships and self-employment are common, and the responsibility for career development is placed on the individual. In addition, it has been suggested that many creative workers possess career motivations distinct from those associated with traditional career patterns, such as progression and security. This study examines the career orientations of creatives to determine whether certain motivations are linked with career management competence and success in the boundaryless career. Responses from 310 creatives suggest that the motivations of creative workers are indeed dissimilar to workers in other sectors. Systematic differences were found between participants with different career orientations, with autonomy and interest / challenge motivations most clearly linked with high levels of career management competence and career success, and security motivations linked with low levels of career management competence and career success.
Dr Ruth Bridgstock, Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia