Post-College Life in China!

It is undeniable that university graduates are facing more obstacles than ever before. Whether it be economic challenges, a lack of positions in a particular field, or being hampered by geographical positioning, a college degree  in the United States, is no longer a ticket to success. It is estimated that a 40.4% of the American population is in possession of an associates or bachelors degree which translates into nearly 125 million people walking around with experience in higher learning. Despite

such obstacles, even during the recession, it was estimated that close to 95% of college graduates in the United States were employed. This of course doesn't specify the type of jobs those college grads are getting, of course. And who knows how many grads are actually getting jobs in their field, the statistics are fuzzy.

Imagine for a moment, if you can, living in a country where the number of graduates increases more than a million every year! So not only are you competing with an unimaginable number of fellow graduates, but your job prospects as a graduate are worse than if you were a rural worker looking for work on any number of major construction projects being commissioned in Shanghai, Beijing or Guangzhou.

Unlike college in the USA, where the government has no say in what classes or degree you pursue, in China, the situation is far more sinister. Driven by the need for economic prosperity and unnerved by economic strife in America, Chinese universities are geared to becoming the worlds top research facilities, top economic think tanks, top everything. So what's wrong with being the best? Nothing, provided it's not at the expense of student minds, and provided said students have realistic prospects at the end of their invested time and money. Students have little choice in what they can study, unless it benefits the party and it contributes to China's economic future. Little value is placed in the arts, literature, history, culture.

Another issue domestic university graduates face in China, is an influx of Chinese students graduating overseas, and returning to the mainland with internationally recognized degrees from American and European ivy league institutions, taking up highly sought-after positions.

College graduates all over the world are facing more and more challenges, domestic and international. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to discourage students from pursuing their dreams, because despite statistics, or grim reports, there is still room in the world for college grads to pursue their dreams.