Research Article

WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Number: 73 March 2, 2026
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WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This study explores the differing perceptions of the music profession among undergraduate music students in Turkiye, comparing those who actively work in the music industry during their studies with those who do not. In this article, we draw upon qualitative interviews and participant observations. The first author, a former music student herself, conducted the fieldwork and contributed autoethnographic reflections that illuminate the data. The study reveals how employment status influences students’ understanding of musicianship, career expectations, identity, and socio-economic realities. Findings show that working students tend to develop more pragmatic, protean approaches to their future careers, while non-working students often retain idealized or institutionally influenced views. The study also examines the impact of early music education, parental attitudes, financial instability, and the limitations of current academic curricula on students’ career readiness. The results highlight the need for undergraduate music programs in Turkiye to incorporate career planning and industry awareness into their curricula to better support students' transition into professional life.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sociology of Music, Musicology and Ethnomusicology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 2, 2026

Submission Date

August 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 3, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 73

APA
Gürkan, G. Ö., & Ersöz, A. (2026). WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 73, 174-195. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1755836
AMA
1.Gürkan GÖ, Ersöz A. WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY. PAUSBED. 2026;(73):174-195. doi:10.30794/pausbed.1755836
Chicago
Gürkan, Gülce Özen, and Ayrin Ersöz. 2026. “WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, nos. 73: 174-95. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1755836.
EndNote
Gürkan GÖ, Ersöz A (March 1, 2026) WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 73 174–195.
IEEE
[1]G. Ö. Gürkan and A. Ersöz, “WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY”, PAUSBED, no. 73, pp. 174–195, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.30794/pausbed.1755836.
ISNAD
Gürkan, Gülce Özen - Ersöz, Ayrin. “WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 73 (March 1, 2026): 174-195. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1755836.
JAMA
1.Gürkan GÖ, Ersöz A. WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY. PAUSBED. 2026;:174–195.
MLA
Gürkan, Gülce Özen, and Ayrin Ersöz. “WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, no. 73, Mar. 2026, pp. 174-95, doi:10.30794/pausbed.1755836.
Vancouver
1.Gülce Özen Gürkan, Ayrin Ersöz. WORKING AND NON-WORKING MUSIC STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDINGS OF A MUSICIAN’S CAREER IN TURKIYE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY. PAUSBED. 2026 Mar. 1;(73):174-95. doi:10.30794/pausbed.1755836

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