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    Employment motivations and values in the creative industries: Reorienting from creativity to well-being among-Generation Zs in Ireland


    Arnold, Sarah and O’Brien, Anne (2025) Employment motivations and values in the creative industries: Reorienting from creativity to well-being among-Generation Zs in Ireland. European Journal of Cultural Studies. ISSN 1367-5494

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    Abstract

    This study aims to better understand the experiences and motivations of creative industry workers who graduated degree programmes at a time of significant work and employment instability during the Covid-19 pandemic. Using a case study approach involving a qualitative questionnaire with 16 open- and closed-ended questions, we present responses from 20 graduates of media studies programmes at an Irish university. Findings show that young people who graduated at the time of the pandemic did experience career disruption and felt financially compelled to rethink their career ambitions. Pandemic-related economic uncertainties meant that many participants either did not enter creative industries or took up roles that did not utilise their creative degrees. However, many of these young people have found job satisfaction in ‘being mentally well’ at least as much as ‘being creative’, and prioritise good quality of life and achieving work-life balance. Good mental health and well-being are pronounced personal and career motivators, with new work regimes such as remote and hybrid working seen as important rewards and incentives.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Covid-19; creative industries; Generation Z; motivations; pandemic; well-being; work;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > School of English, Media & Theatre Studies > Media Studies
    Item ID: 19613
    Identification Number: 10.1177/13675494251317067
    Depositing User: Sarah Arnold
    Date Deposited: 27 Mar 2025 10:41
    Journal or Publication Title: European Journal of Cultural Studies
    Publisher: SAGE Publications
    Refereed: No
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19613
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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