Career choice has received significant attention in recent years, with research indicating a strong correlation between individual intrinsic motivations and career decisions. This study investigated the intrinsic factors influencing music graduates’ decisions to pursue a professional career in music in Fujian, China, using the Exploratory Design research method. This research design involved two phases. In phase one, the influencing factors were explored through interviews seeking to obtain qualitative information (N = 18). In phase two, the codes derived from the qualitative study were utilized to build a Likert scale for the quantitative questionnaire (N = 221). The qualitative results revealed that music graduates’ professional career choices were intrinsically influenced by their commitment to the music profession, sense of self-worth derived from successful performing and teaching experiences, self-purpose in sharing and teaching music, interest in music playing and music teaching, confidence in music-playing skills, and working relationship between teacher and student. These variables were confirmed by the quantitative study to have an impact on career choice. Commitment to the music profession was the most influential variable, followed by a sense of self-worth. Confidence in music-playing skills was the least influential variable. These findings deepen our understanding of the variables impacting music majors’ job choices. Understanding these determinants can help educational institutions, policymakers, and career counselors better understand music majors’ particular needs and concerns, leading to more supportive career pathways for aspiring musicians in the region.

In the career development, individuals show a stronger need on the professional advancement and are expected to make more definite career decisions in the establishment career stage. This study used semi-structure interview of qualitative study to investigate the intrinsic motivation influencing career development among three music teachers who were in the career stage of establishment from higher educational institutions in Fujian, China. The interview was modelled and the interview transcriptions were analysed and coded based on the theory of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The results indicated that higher education music teachers who sought for professional upgrading in the music industry in their establishment career stage will be intrinsically influenced by the needs of love and belonging in terms of the salient life roles (for example, son/daughter, spouse, and parent); the needs on esteem that boosting the career expectation toward receiving recognition from students, students’ parents, and music professionals; and the needs on self-actualization on music professionalism by enhancing music playing skills, mastering new music skills, and lifelong learning. The study offered a valuable knowledge to the field of music education, inform policy and practice, and ultimately empower music teachers to realize their full potential in nurturing the next generation of musicians and scholars.