Music education alumni perceptions of undergraduate degree experiences, skills development, and job satisfaction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate U.S. undergraduate music education degree alumni ( n = 3,731) perceptions of and satisfaction with their baccalaureate educational experiences, professional skills development, and careers post-graduation. A secondary aim was to determine the extent to which key aspects of undergraduate music education degree programs and/or demographic variables predicted positive career outcomes. Data for this study were gleaned from the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project’s (SNAAP) 2015, 2016, and 2017 surveys of arts alumni in the United States. Results indicated that respondents were largely satisfied with the training and experiences they received in their undergraduate degree programs, especially development of artistic technique, teaching skills, and a broad knowledge base. A large majority (85.09%) found employment relevant to their training within 1 year of graduation, and although many departed teaching to work in other career fields, those who stayed were generally satisfied with their jobs, although less so regarding compensation levels and career advancement opportunities. Skills gaps in interpersonal relations and communication suggest that collaborative work might be a weak area in undergraduate music teacher education. Logistic regression revealed statistically significant associations between several institutional satisfaction/demographic variables and high subsequent job satisfaction.