Chinese Youth Pursue Science and Engineering for Secure Jobs, High Pay, and Government Policy Alignment
Chinese youth are turning to science and engineering to secure their future in the job market. Prestigious programs of study in finance, law, medicine, and computer science are highly sought after. Engineering dominates the ranking of best-paid majors, while arts degrees are less popular.
Evon Wang, an 18-year-old high school graduate from Dongguan, had dreams of becoming an English teacher. However, influenced by her mother's pragmatic advice, she ultimately chose to pursue an engineering major, believing it would offer better employment prospects and higher pay.
In China, gaining admission to a prestigious program of study is seen as a crucial step towards career advancement. Subjects such as finance, law, medicine, and computer science, offered by the country's top institutions, are highly sought after due to their perceived correlation with better job prospects. The grueling hours of study and high exam scores required to secure a spot in these programs are considered worthwhile investments.
Wang's mother emphasised the importance of aligning education and employment choices with government policies. With the national strategy of invigorating China through science and education, engineering has become the mainstream option. At Wang's school, approximately 70% of graduates choose to study the sciences, reflecting a larger trend among students and parents who see potential for well-paying jobs in the country's tech innovation sector.
A survey conducted by Zhaopin, a leading online recruitment platform, revealed that engineering dominates the ranking of the 50 best-paid majors for individuals with three years of work experience. Science and management subjects also feature prominently, while arts degrees are noticeably absent. Similarly, the higher education research firm MyCos ranked university majors based on employment rates, salaries, and career satisfaction. The majors with the highest scores for upward mobility, known as "Green Card" programs, were all related to engineering.
Consultancy firm iiMedia's survey further supported these findings, with engineering, science, and economics emerging as the top three preferred subjects for college entrance exams. Conversely, arts, agriculture, and philosophy were among the least popular fields. According to iiMedia's report, graduates in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, accounting, electronic information, and computer science have better chances of entering state-owned enterprises, aligning with Beijing's focus on "new quality productive forces."
Both education policies and the job market are driving more young Chinese individuals to choose engineering and science majors. This trend not only reflects their aspirations for upward mobility but also positions them as the most tech-savvy and sought-after candidates. David Wen, a middle school principal in Guangdong, believes that these policies, along with social consensus, will sustain a strong "engineer dividend" despite an overall decline in the population.
China's plan to cultivate talent in the sciences has prompted parents to invest heavily in extracurricular classes in mathematics, physics, and biology. Training institutions across the country have launched their own courses in these subjects, catering to the demand. However, with a record 11.79 million college graduates entering the job market this summer, the employment situation remains challenging. Many graduates, despite their academic achievements, struggle to find suitable positions.
Analysts express concerns about the difficulty of balancing academic interests with the need for employment, particularly as economic headwinds intensify. Xiong Bingqi, deputy director of the Shanghai-based 21st Century Education Research Institute, emphasises the importance of considering multiple factors when choosing a major, beyond just employment rates and salary. He believes that the deficiency in basic education in cultivating interest poses a long-term challenge in cultivating world-class talent.
Chinese youth are turning to science and engineering to secure their future in the job market.
Prestigious programs of study in finance, law, medicine, and computer science are highly sought after.
Engineering dominates the ranking of best-paid majors, while arts degrees are less popular.
Source: SCMP