The music industry is a dynamic employment market, offering paid work to a vast array of practitioners around the world. This is befitting of an art form that has prevailed across even the most remote tribes and societies throughout history. Much of the rapid development of the music industry has occurred very recently, in the last 25 years, and is the result of the explosion of digital technology and re-definition of social communities and culture. This has opened up new areas of expertise for music professionals, though not eclipsing the more traditional roles of teaching, conducting, music leadership and performing as a soloist, in a small group, orchestra or band.

Music graduates are found in a wide range of occupations including positions in orchestras, choirs, opera houses, conservatories, universities, schools and other education contexts. They are prominent in areas of musical leadership. Those who wish to work in education, find that the inclusion of some music in their degree can be beneficial. UC Music graduates also work in fields such as journalism, television and radio (planning as well as production), publishing and in technical areas such as recording, computer instruments, sound engineering and music technology. People with musical talent are sought after by festival organisers and arts organisations.