Recently, college students' employment has been a hot topic in
China. Since the world economy is facing a severe downturn, the
overall pressure on employment is increasing day by day. This year,
about 1.45 million graduates from various universities will flood
into the job markets, so that the employment situation for college
students is no longer as optimistic as before. A survey conducted
recently suggests that about 80 percent of college students listed
"pressure in job-hunting" as their top headache.
At
the climax of the period when college students are busy signing
contracts with their prospective companies, a new look is being
taken at the students' job-hunting journey.
Employment First, Job-selection Second
Nowadays, at several job markets for college students, many fresh
graduates seem to favor "employment goes first, job selection
second." Take a Beijing college student surnamed with Lei, who
comes from Henan Province, for instance; his choice for a career is
journalism. However, due to the comparatively low demand for media
personnel this year, he couldn't realize his dream despite several
attempts. Several days ago, he signed a letter of intent with a P.R
company. "I have to stay in Beijing first, and I am sure there will
be more opportunities for me in the future," he said.
Zheng Hongyu, a fresh graduate from Tianjin University, signed a
contract with the Shipping Research Institution in Shanghai, and
has gone through many related procedures for his employment. He
said that he wasn't familiar with the job he was going to take, and
he still didn't have a very clear understanding of his self-value.
But firstly, he has to work to live. He is planning to accumulate
some work experience, as well as money, from this first job. He
strongly believed that, with a solid economic foundation and a more
mature recognition towards himself, he would find a much better job
in the future.
Facing employment pressure, most college students show their unique
confidence and maturity. Most of them are advancing from the
concept of a life-long job towards many jobs for life.
Miss Lu is a creative executive with an advertising company. In her
view, to find a life-long job after graduation from college is a
far too romantic idea. "While you are choosing a job, the employers
are also choosing you. Graduation is only a first strategic step
into society, and the real battle is just beginning. We cannot be
too ideal all the time; instead, we should be realistic, at the
same time, never giving up our ideals," she said, with a touch of
maturity.
Miss Lu graduated from a reputed university, upon her graduation
from college several years ago, and was assigned to a commercial
bank to handle basic counter work. However, she never complained,
and, with her great potential and capability, she survived many
drawbacks to find herself a niche where she really belongs.
Chen Xi, chief of the Graduate Employment Office attached to the
Student Department of the Ministry of Education, said: "Only
through practice can you make the right judgment on whether this
job is suitable for you or not. One job for a whole life has
already become a history."
Being Employed Gives Way to Opening an Enterprise
The "Sun-Seeker Software Development Company," which was officially
established on Feb. 28, was set up by a group of new graduates from
Shenzhen University. When asked what was the underlying power that
encouraged these youngsters to come together and strive for a
common goal, their answer was "interest and the sense of
achievement." "It's a bit lonely to surf on the Internet by
yourself, but if some friends with similar life goals can get
together, the communication between them will benefit all. Since
working and making money can be combined, why should we take great
trouble in seeking other jobs?" said these young and promising
people.
According to a document issued by UNESCO, those college students
nurtured in higher education should not only be job seekers, but
also successful entrepreneurs or job-creators. In today's
knowledge-intensive economic era, many development opportunities
are opening up for many emerging industries, such as information
technology and biotechnology. In addition, China is giving more and
more support to the self-employed. It's the right time for such
enterprises to take-off now.
SOHO Group Catches on New Trend
SOHO, the short form of small office, home office, represents those
freelances working right at home. This kind of employment is
catching on among college students.
Most of the graduate students this year were born at the end of the
1970s, and many of them are single children in their families.
Unburdened with the financial pressure from their families, they
seldom put money making as their top priority, therefore, enjoying
much freedom to choose a SOHO type of life.
A
history major graduate surnamed Li gave up the opportunity to work
for a certain research institute in Beijing. He has a flair for
writing, and photography is his favorite hobby. His plan is to use
half a year to visit western China, doing some writing and
photographing to broaden his horizons and enrich his life
experience. Then, he will write for newspapers or magazines, or do
strategy or designing for advertising companies and other
businesses.
"I
plan to take the entrance exam for graduate school next year.
During the period of preparing for the exam, I will also take
tests, for instance, for a registered accountancy certificate to
make me better-prepared in this ability-respected society. I am
sure all these efforts will add up to my strength to find a better
job," said a fresh graduate student from a university in Beijing.
He represents a large proportion of graduate students who share the
same concept. In Nanjing Science and Technology University, among
2,466 graduates last year, about 16.5 percent chose to further
their studies in graduate schools, and in Nanjing University, this
percentage was 30 percent.
As
for these changes in Chinese job market, related education
departments say most employing units or companies are adopting a
contract employment policy, and resignation and job-transfer has
become a common practice for today's youngsters. As for these
fledgling graduates, the first job upon their graduation is not
necessarily very important. They put more emphasis on the
improvement of their own quality and put more considerations into
their future development.
(China.org.cn by Feng Shu, June 24, 2002 )