Careers and lifestyles of young cultural entrepreneurs in St. Petersburg

Abstract

Based on the analysis of 53 in-depth interviews, the article reconstructs the career paths of young cultural entrepreneurs working in the creative clusters of St. Petersburg. Four style groups are distinguished, which differ in career type, the locus of subjective success, identity, attitude towards education and the type of sociality: ‘Downshifters’, ‘Tourists’, ‘Independent professionals’ and ‘Early businessmen’. ‘Downshifters’ have downward career mobility and professionalize leisure and/or life-style practices. ‘Tourists’ are characterized by a dotted career and career swings between entrepreneurship and precarious low-status employment. “Independent professionals” achieve autonomy in the context of a specific professional field. “Early businessmen” are building their careers as entrepreneurs. cultural entrepreneurs, lifestyles, career, St. Petersburg