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  • The role of higher education socialization in shaping students' future-oriented work ethic
    111–118
    Views:
    8

    Research on higher education clearly indicates that the institutional environment, as well as the relationships formed with faculty and peers, not only influence academic achievement and the risk of dropout, but also have a significant long-term effect on students' life trajectories, future outlook, future orientation, and even their decisions to remain in a given geographic location (Pusztai, 2011; Bess & Dee, 2012; Sütő, 2021; Sütő, 2025; Demeter-Karászi, 2025). This suggests that higher education institutions do not operate merely as knowledge-transfer organizations, but also as socializing environments that shape students' relationship with work, achievement, and long-term goals. The theoretical framework of our research is therefore grounded in approaches that interpret future-oriented work ethic not exclusively as an individual psychological trait, but as a phenomenon embedded in social relationships and institutional contexts (Berger, 2001; Kuh & Umbach, 2004). Our research seeks to answer what associations can be identified between the characteristics of the social and institutional environment of higher education institutions — in particular, institutional culture, relationships with faculty and peers, and institutional trust — and students' future-oriented work ethic. Our empirical data are drawn from the 2023–2024 survey of the MTA–DE Public Education Development Research Program, a large-scale international database comprising 1,336 respondents. The results indicate that trust-based relationships with both faculty and peers, as well as the perception of a transparent and fair institutional atmosphere, are significantly associated with higher levels of future-oriented work ethic, with perceived supportive institutional culture emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.252; p < 0.001). It is particularly noteworthy that the effect of institutional and relational factors persisted even after controlling for social background variables. Our findings thereby corroborate the theoretical stance that future-oriented work ethic is not solely derived from individual attributes, but can be understood as an orientation shaped during higher education socialization through institutional and social environments. This is an especially important finding in light of the growing heterogeneity of the student body, as it suggests that a supportive institutional culture may contribute to strengthening the future orientation and long-term academic success of students from diverse social backgrounds.

  • A dimension of well-being among talented students – An empirical study at the University of Debrecen
    87–100
    Views:
    14

    Talent management in higher education remains a key issue, as university students are inherently talented when pursuing academic studies. Beyond this, many students engage in extracurricular activities, reflecting deeper personal motivations. This examines participants' future career orientation in a university Talent Management Program by examining their life goals. While many students lack clear aims during their studies, we hypothesize that talented students show stronger self-acceptance, autonomy, and a commitment to continuous development and growth. The Ryff-18 questionnaire assessed students’ psychological well-being across six dimensions: self-acceptance, quality of relationships, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth. The research is part of a longitudinal study, launched in the 2016/2017 academic year and repeated in 2023/2024, allowing for generational comparison between Generation Z and Millennials. All Talent Program students were invited to participate. In 2016/2017, 359 of 489 students responded (73.41%), and in 2023/2024, 201 of 671 (16.69%). Students rated “living day by day” highly in both years, and acquiring new experiences was low. Despite this, results indicate that participants are generally goal-oriented and prioritize long-term aims over novelty-seeking. These findings highlight consistent traits among talented students across generations.

  • Pandemic and Education
    1-10
    Views:
    1132

    The emergence and rapid spread of the Coronavirus in the spring of 2020 has fundamentally changed our lives. The most important change has been the attempt to minimise face–to–face contacts everywhere in order to keep the epidemic under control. Public gatherings were banned, shopping malls were closed, and sporting events were also cancelled. As COVID–19 spread as easily among children as among adults, schools could not escape the restrictions. During the first wave of the epidemic, institutions had to switch to emergency remote education (ERE) at very short notice, which presented a number of problems for all participants. These problems and experiences of the switch should be collected at all levels of education, as they not only help to prepare for similar situations, but may also lead to conclusions that can be used to make the methods and solutions of classroom–based teaching more motivating, more effective or even more efficient. In this paper, we review both the challenges of the transition and the possible implications for the future teaching–learning process by reflecting on the lessons learned.

  • Types of Fathers’ Home-based and School-based Involvement in a Hungarian Interview Study
    95-103
    Views:
    313

    This study explores the ways that Hungarian fathers are involved, at home and at school, in their children’s
    development and achievement. It also identifies the types of fathers that emerge based on this involvement.
    According to the literature, paternal involvement at home and at school contributes to academic achievement,
    similar to the involvement of mothers, but to a lesser extent and in different ways. The theoretical framework of
    the research relies on the types of parental involvement as defined by Epstein. The research was qualitative,
    based on 14 semi-structured interviews and the classification of fathers, resulting in three groups of similar size.
    The first group comprised fathers who contributed to their child’s achievement at home, often by helping with
    school-related activities, while not participating in school events. The second group included fathers who were
    involved at home and at school alike. Finally, the third group consisted of four divorced fathers, three of whom
    were involved both at home and at school, due to their particular situation. Overall, fathers’ school-based
    involvement can be increased by the supportive attitude of wives, fathers’ greater confidence in themselves and
    their abilities, and by informal events organized by schools (cooking or sports days), in which fathers are more
    likely to participate.

  • The Concept and Practice of Family Life Education
    55-61
    Views:
    462

    This theorethical article outlines the development of family life education in Hungary. In the early 20th century, as a result of civic initiatives, this specific educational area as an independent professional and scientific field was organized in the United States and Western Europe. In Hungary, however, much like other Central and Eastern European states, institutional education became available much later. A government decree issued in the early seventies draws attention to the fact that "the biological, health, ethical, moral knowledge necessary for harmonious, desirable human relations is not sufficiently widespread among the general public, especially among young people, to create a well-balanced family life and to achieve a broad range of modern family planning. Therefore, measures should be taken to prepare for family life in all forms of public education and in the dissemination of information to the general public” (Mihalec et al 2011, 90) Komlósi points out, however, that despite the first governmental initiative on family life education, for decades there has been no significant change in practice. (Komlósi 1995) ” In Hungarian secondary education, the pedagogical knowledge that can be chosen as subject matter for graduation examinations in pedagogical vocational secondary schools includes a growing proportion of topics related to education for family life.

  • Big Brother Mentoring in the Let's Teach for Hungary Program
    114-141
    Views:
    462

    The number of mentoring programs within the framework of schools is increasing both internationally and domestically (Raufelder & Ittel, 2012; Fejes et. al., 2009). Besides traditional mentoring, the role of peer mentoring (Miller, 2002) has also come to the fore in recent years. In our study, we focus on cross-age peer mentoring (Miller, 2002; Sipe, 2005), where older youth mentor younger youth. One example of this in Hungary is the Let's Teach for Hungary (LTHMP) mentoring program, where undergraduate students mentor primary school students. In our research, we studied mentors at the University of Debrecen who had completed at least two semester-long cycles in the program. We were curious about how the COVID-19 pandemic period affected mentoring, so we examined the transition of a mentoring program based on a personal meeting to online mentoring, and its pivotal points, advantages, and disadvantages. As a method, we used qualitative interview analysis, during which we worked with semi-structured interviews, recorded in the spring of 2020 and 2021 – during the global pandemic situation – with a total of 50 mentors. The content analysis of the interview texts was performed based on the codes formulated based on the theory, and the emic codes emerged in the interviews (Creswell, 2012). Our results show that mentors can be grouped into different types based on their attitudes towards online mentoring. Overall, the digital transition has been a big challenge. The biggest problem was the lack of equipment. The issue of age has been also an important factor in terms of the sense of digital comfort. We noticed the phenomenon of Big Brother Mentoring and the importance of chameleon mentors. Our research, which can fill a gap, highlights both the challenges and benefits of online mentoring. In addition, we can also contribute to the effective and successful operation of the Let's Teach for Hungary Mentoring Program.

  • Non-completed Studies: What Factors Affect Academic Success or Failure?
    79-89
    Views:
    452

    The ratio of early school leavers is 12.5 in Hungary, which means 22nd place within the EU28. Early school leaving is an important issue in all European countries, because those who finished their studies after primary education are more likely unemployed and it causes problems for both them and the society. Higher educational drop-out also an important issue, although for other reasons than early school leaving. It is even more difficult to find precise data on this: we don’t know what proportion of the students is affected by this in Hungary. In this study I analyze the database of the Hungarian Youth Research 2016. This survey was conducted on a representative sample of 15-29 year olds, questioning 8,000 people, therefore, early school leavers and higher educational drop-outs should be found among the interviewees. The results show that early school leavers have significantly worse status both financial and cultural. Some of those who had finished only primary school think that they have successfully completed their studies. They answered that despite 18.3 percent of them have started a vocational training, which didn’t finish. Despite the expectations, not much is known about the higher educational drop-outs. 4.5 percent of the interviewees did not answer the question of whether they had completed their studies: they are probably the drop-outs, but we can just assume that. The results show that they have better cultural status than the others.

  • Pathway to academic well-being: The role of institutional social capital in the well-being of academics in five Central and Eastern European countries
    85-98
    Views:
    6

    This study examined the relationship between institutional social capital and the emotional well-being of academics in Central and Eastern European higher education systems. Building on Pusztai’s conceptual framework, this study distinguishes between intragenerational social capital, referring to collegial cooperation and communicative exchange, and intergenerational social capital, referring to informal interaction with students beyond formal teaching. The analysis draws on survey data collected in 2023 from academics in five countries (Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, and Ukraine) (N ≈ 800). Institutional social capital is operationalised through indicators capturing the frequency and diversity of interactions, while emotional well-being is measured using Warr’s Affective Well-being Scale. The results show that intragenerational social capital is a significant positive predictor of well-being, whereas intergenerational social capital has no independent effect. The findings suggest that collegial relational embeddedness constitutes a relevant, albeit limited, resource for emotional well-being in academic work.

  • Elementary Schools of Art in Hungary are the Key to Increasing One's Chances, Disadvantage Compensation and Multilateral Self-Development
    131-133
    Views:
    234

    Bibliography of the reviewed book: Szűcs, T. (2019). Az alapfokú művészeti iskola, egy esélynövelő iskolatípus. Debrecen: Debreceni Egyetemi Kiadó. 190., 978-963-318-768-5.

  • Language, school and society: The status of German in Hungarian public education
    159–163
    Views:
    21

    Bibliography of the reviewed book: Sebestyén, K. (2023). Kik és miért tanulnak németet az érettségit adó képzésekben? [Who and why do the study German in the programs with secondary school leaving exam?]. Debrecen University Press.

     

  • The International Comparison of the Educational Systems of Iran, Myanmar and Ethiopia
    84-94
    Views:
    450

    Education systems usually fall into two main types: the Continental and Atlantic systems of education. Countries
    belonging to the third world often follow after the characteristics of the continental system, however, the
    specificities of the country may overwrite some characteristics of the original concept. This article aims to
    introduce some specific aspects of the educational systems of Iran, Ethiopia and Myanmar through the
    comparison of these systems. According to the data analysis, centralisation is relevant, but decentralisation
    tends to be strengthened in each country. Concerning their structure, similarities in the division of levels were
    identified, along with differences in duration and focus. Unsurprisingly, the curriculums are different in each
    country; however, the basic subjects are almost the same. Finally, the grading systems use similar categories,
    although the underlying points providing the basis for the grades significantly differ. Comparing them can
    contribute to their evaluation and further development.

  • Strengthening family–school partnerships through research, training and innovation: Reflections from the MTA‑DE‑PARTNERED program
    71-84
    Views:
    7

    This study presents the comprehensive findings of the MTA-DE-PARTNERED research and development program, which ran from 2021 to 2025, and aimed to explore and develop the theoretical, empirical, and practical dimensions of family-school partnerships. Within the framework of Epstein’s model of parental involvement, the research examined parents’ educational and learning-support activities at home, school–parent communication, volunteering, participation in decision-making, and community building. Analyses based on a review of the literature, large-scale questionnaire surveys, interviews, and case studies show that patterns of parental involvement are influenced by the child’s achievement, school type, school sector, and social background. The MTA-DE-PARTNERED program placed a strong emphasis on improving teacher training, recognizing that teachers’ preparedness and attitudes play a key role in the quality of the partnership. During the development phase, we created an evidence-based collection of best practices, a university toolkit, and an innovative educational board game based on cooperative. The board game aimed to support the positive development of asset-based attitudes among students and teachers through the simulation of various parental involvement scenarios. The results of the impact assessments suggest that the board game significantly contributes to the development of reflective thinking, a multi-perspective approach, and partnership-centered attitudes. This study shows that strengthening family-school collaboration requires systemic, research-based, and training-related innovations that will, in the long term, contribute to the improvement of student achievement and the development of pedagogical culture.

  • The Challenges of Adopting a Learner-Centered Approach to On-Line English Teacher Education: A Teacher-Research Study on Jigsaw Reading and PeerTeaching in Cambodia
    60-71.
    Views:
    485

    In Cambodia, the shift to on-line learning due to Covid-19 reinforced an already overly teacher-centric approach to education, leading to the risk of greater learner disengagement. To address this problem, I3 embarked on a research project involving the redesign of the on-line delivery of a final year English teacher education course on ‘School and Society’, in which all lectures were replaced with jigsaw reading (JR) and peer teaching (PT) tasks. To track the impact of this innovation, I recorded class sessions, kept observation logs, and obtained data from students’ reflective journaling, interviews, and a focus group. This paper reports on the design principles behind the innovation and its impact on student motivation and engagement. The research has implications for on-line teacher education and the introduction of learner-centered pedagogies in global south contexts.

  • A schema social circle of Indonesian students in higher education
    143–158
    Views:
    21

    Social circle is one of the issues that we must address. It emerged as a significant social phenomenon because members joined based on their shared interests, rather than proximity or assigned ranks. It changes based on individual needs and the environment. This research aimed to expand the Indonesian community that studies abroad socially, specifically within their social circle. It is also a goal to explore students' social circle strategies as they learn within Hungary's higher education system. Quantitative pilot research was employed in this study. Convenience sampling was used. A questionnaire was administered to Indonesian students to collect data from 22 per cent (N=47) of Indonesians who studied in Hungary. The Indonesian student was the one who held a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. All of them come from different educational backgrounds and programs. The results revealed that most of respondents are members of home country student associations. Among various social background variables, educational attainment emerged as the sole significant determinant of multi-organizational membership. Other result is among the identified clusters, there is one that represents new types of motivations including relationship-building motivations, among Indonesian students. These findings highlight the pivotal role of informal, peer-driven networks in the social integration of Indonesian students, superseding formal university-led initiatives. Universities should implement policies that actively promote student satisfaction by facilitating access to identity-affirming and interest-based student organisations, while ensuring the affordability of participation through low-cost or subsidised social programs to guarantee inclusivity and accessibility for all students.

     

  • A General Overview of the Educational Programmes of the Hungarian Football Academies
    101-110
    Views:
    428

    In the course of our research, we surveyed the educational programmes of the football academies of Hungary. We wished to reveal the educational aspects of the life of the students at the football academies. The purpose of our project is to comparatively analyse the formal and conceptual dimensions of the educational programmes of the academies through an analysis of the documents of the academies concerned. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with the heads of the social- and educational sections of the academies (N=6). We used the results of the interviews to check–confirm or refute–the results we found. We believe that the findings of our research make it possible for us to better understand the elements and value-based components of the educational dimensions of the football academies. In this way, our survey is similar to the projects of researchers who worked with local educational programmes (for example, Brezsnyánszky et al., 2000). As a conclusion of our research, we may point out that both the formal and conceptual dimensions of the educational programmes of the individual football academies are strongly heterogeneous, and the quality of their pedagogical programmes is often questionable. The results yielded by the analysis of the interviews suggest that although an educational-social department is present at each of the academies, some our former conclusions in connection with the general standards of the educational work were confirmed by the answers we received from our respondents. The academies, almost without an exception, produce their own educational programmes and carry out their educational work individually, and do not cooperate with the other institutions. There is, consequently, no uniform and standard educational work, and there is no professional documentation of the work going on either. In this way, the quality of educational work is not really able to improve.

  • Parent-Teacher Communication from the Perspective of the Educator
    13-24.
    Views:
    3103

    Several, mostly quantitative, studies have already examined the relationship between teachers and parents, as well as the positive effects of parental involvement. The aim of this study is to explore how parental involvement is realized in communication between the two actors. In the framework of a qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 teachers teaching in elementary schools, and the analysis was performed using the Atlas.ti software. Based on our findings, we concluded that regular communication, common language use, a positive attitude from both parties, and the appropriate use of information and communication technology tools are essential for effective communication. The practical significance of this is that teacher trainees should also emphasize practical education, with a special focus on their ability to establish appropriate communication with parents of different socioeconomic backgrounds.

  • Opportunities and Barriers in the Partnership Between Foster Families and Schools
    Views:
    184

    The primary socialisation area is the family, and the secondary socialisation area is educational institutions.  From the point of view of educational sociology, the meeting between the family and the school institution represents the intersection of these socialisation areas (Kozma, 2001; cited in Bacskai, 2020). This issue and its methodological development is something that Joyce Epstein has been working since the 1980s (Epstein, 1986; Epstein, 1987). According to Pusztai (2020a), parenting can be understood as a multifaceted concept, typically referring to the mutual relationship between parent and child. Researchers have focused on this parenting resource mainly from the perspective of the child's progress at school and learning at home, with the parent acting as an external supporter of the work in school. In this research we focus on the specific characteristics of the cooperation between foster parents and schools, and examine the characteristics of foster parent involvement, along with the supporting and detrimental factors of the partnership between foster parents and teachers at the intersection of child protection and public education. Recently, the number of research studies on foster care has increased (Erdei, 2019; Rácz, 2021), but the relationship between foster parents and teachers is still a little-researched area in Hungary. The novelty of our qualitative research lies in the fact that we are dealing with a special, rarely studied group of parents in Hajdú-Bihar County in terms of family-school relations. The second phase of the analysis has us exploring the narratives of teachers. Our basic research questions are: (1) How can the relationship between foster families and school be characterized? (2) What are the forms of contact and cooperation between foster families and teachers? (3) What factors support or hinder the development of partnerships between foster families and teachers? The focus group data collection was based on semi-structured interview schedules. The research participants were foster parents (N=15) and teachers (N=10). The interviews were coded and analysed using Atlas.ti software. The results show that, overall, there is regular, daily, mainly personal contact between foster parents and teachers. The teacher's tolerant attitude, taking into account the specific educational situation, appeared as a supportive factor. However, there were also a number of cases reported by foster parents where they had been received negatively by teachers. In order to facilitate collaboration between the two parties, teachers would like to receive training (foster families, foster-parent-school collaboration) and would find it useful to have ongoing supervision.

  • Labour Market Characteristics of Helping Professionals
    66-75
    Views:
    384

    In Hungary, considerable efforts have been made in recent years to analyse the career paths of higher educational graduates, which have highlighted the need for field-specific and training-specific analysis. In this context, our research concentrates on a special training segment, focusing on the position of young professionals working in occupations helping the function of the society. Previous research focused only on the professionalization of the different occupations and the recruitment was examined from institutional and regional aspects. However, during the statistical analysis we examined the social recruitment base and the labour market situation of social pedagogy graduates in the Graduates 2012 (Frissdiplomások 2012) national database. The novelty of our work lies in the comparison of those who graduated in social work, pedagogy and andragogy in full-time programs. The most important result of our quantitative analysis is the statement that the differences in the composition of the group are strongly explained by the regional location of the institutions providing the training. In terms of horizontal and vertical congruence, the values of the humanities group are the most unfavourable.

  • “Student success is not an individual achievement” – Motivation and teacher education in the digital age
    133–142
    Views:
    6

    The motivation of student teachers is a key issue in contemporary teacher education, typically examined through psychological theories focusing on individual learning processes. This paper does not aim to provide a comprehensive literature review; instead, it offers a conceptual reflection that pays tribute to the work of Gabriella Pusztai, whose research highlights the social embeddedness of student achievement, integration, and persistence. Building on her approach, the study integrates psychological, pedagogical, and sociological perspectives to reinterpret motivation in pedagogical courses. It proposes a three-dimensional framework consisting of integration, relevance, and identity, emphasising that motivation is a context-dependent and dynamically changing phenomenon. The paper also examines how digital learning environments reshape motivational conditions by influencing autonomy, relatedness, engagement, and perceived relevance. The findings suggest that understanding student motivation requires moving beyond individual-level explanations and recognising the decisive role of relational, institutional, and technological contexts.

  • Higher Education Choice in China: Social Class, Gender, Parental Involvement and Educational Inequality
    97-100
    Views:
    646

    Bibliography of the review book: Sheng, X. (2014). Higher Education Choice in China: Social Class, Gender, Parental Involvement and Educational Inequality. Routledge. 173 pp., ISBN: 978-0-415-84309-6. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315814254

  • Perceptions of effectiveness and performance evaluation in Hungarian higher education in the Carpathian Basin
    26-34
    Views:
    233

    Several international studies have addressed the quantitative and qualitative changes in higher education participation and the impact of the evaluative state and institutional quality management on higher education societies (Altbach, 2000; Altbach, 2002; Kwiek & Antonowicz, 2015). However, despite the relatively rich research in higher education in our region, the impact of higher education performance evaluation on the views of faculty members has not been investigated. In our study, we investigate the types of performance evaluation that are typical in higher education in the Carpathian Basin and provide a picture of the perceptions of faculty members on performance evaluation. We will examine the differences and similarities in performance evaluation across the different types of performance. Our research questions concern their homogeneity and interrelationships. We conducted a hybrid coding analysis of the transcripts of qualitative focus group interviews with faculty members in one of the most eastern regions of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), using data from 2022 on the impact of the introduction of performance evaluation in higher education. The main findings of the study show that faculty members' views on performance show high diversity. There is a correlation in views on performance evaluation, but they are not exclusive. The points to consider in the context of performance evaluation can provide guidance for decision-makers in higher education.

  • Why who cleans counts. What housework tells us about American family life.
    102-104
    Views:
    253

    Bibliography of the reviewed book: Davis, N. Shannon and Greenstein N. Theodore (2020). Why who cleans counts. What housework tells us about American family life. Location: Policy Press Chicago. 172 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4473-3674-7

  • The Use of Interactive Teaching Aids by Special Education Teachers in Teaching Science to Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
    Views:
    399

    This study explores the use of interactive teaching aids by special education teachers in teaching science to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It identifies effective tools, challenges educators face, and strategies for optimizing their use. Research questions focus on commonly used aids and barriers to implementation, given the need for inclusive and tailored educational approaches. Existing literature underscores the benefits of interactive teaching aids for students with ASD, particularly digital tools like interactive whiteboards, tablets, and digital storytelling. These resources enhance engagement, support visual and kinesthetic learning, and improve social interaction skills. However, challenges persist, including insufficient teacher training, limited access to technology, and the need for individualized adaptations. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 10 special education teachers. Thematic analysis using NVivo software provided insights into teacher experiences. Findings indicate that interactive teaching aids improve engagement and comprehension but are hindered by resource constraints, technical issues, and variability in student attention. Despite widespread recognition of their benefits, research on the specific application of interactive teaching aids in ASD science education remains limited. The long-term impact on learning retention and tool adaptability across contexts also requires further investigation. This study concludes that interactive teaching aids significantly enhance science education for students with ASD. Addressing barriers through targeted training, better resource allocation, and regular maintenance is crucial. Future research should explore long-term effects and optimize strategies for integrating these tools in diverse educational settings.

  • First Generation Students in the Hungarian Higher Educational System
    53-65
    Views:
    392

    The first part of the study attempts to summarise the most frequently used and cited theories and empirical findings in the field of first generation students. The specialist literature has identified those factors (cultural background of family, parents’ special attitude toward learning, the features of the time-budget etc.) which can generate a disadvantageous situation within the higher education system for these students. However, the presence of this group is a significant indicator of the openness of a society and social mobility, and a more careful analysis of this population may reduce the drop-out rate, as well. During the empirical analysis two databases were used (Eurostudent VI, Hungarian Youth Research 2012 and 2016). Our results draw attention to the process of social closure and the decreasing chance of attending higher education for young people from lower social groups. This unfavourable shift can mirror the relatively closed features of Hungarian society, but at the same time it can make the distances among social groups more rigid.

  • Why do individuals choose a career in music? A Systematic review of socialization-, motivation-, and identity-based factors
    119-132
    Views:
    6

    The process of choosing a career in music is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires the integration of motivational, socialization-based, and identity-oriented perspectives for its comprehensive understanding. The aim of the present systematic literature review is to identify and synthesize empirical studies examining music career choice, particularly within the context of professional higher music education, in relation to identity formation, the quality of motivation, and career-orientation decisions. The review includes 20 studies published between 2003 and 2025, representing considerable methodological heterogeneity as well as broad geographical and cultural diversity. Based on the thematic analysis, four overarching thematic domains were identified: (1) socialization and environmental factors, (2) motivational structures and career intentions, (3) identity development and identity conflicts, and (4) the influence of institutional and educational contexts. The findings indicate that, in music career choice, musician identity generally takes precedence over teacher identity, while extrinsic motivational factors play a significant role in decisions to pursue music teaching careers. Furthermore, early socialization experiences—particularly the influence of parents and first instrumental teachers—have a long-term impact on career orientation. The review also highlights that higher education institutions do not always consciously exploit their potential role in shaping professional identity. Effective interventions therefore require multi-level, developmentally oriented approaches, including the provision of early teaching experiences, the strengthening of mentoring practices, and the introduction of portfolio-career perspectives.