China's highly educated youth are accepting jobs as drivers, manual laborers, and film extras, despite their advanced qualifications.
In contemporary China, a high school janitor possesses a master's degree in physics; a custodian holds qualifications in environmental planning; a delivery person has studied philosophy, and a PhD holder from the esteemed Tsinghua University finds themselves applying for a position as an auxiliary police officer.
These instances represent actual scenarios in an economy grappling with challenges – and similar cases are prevalent.
“My aspiration was to secure a role in investment banking,” remarks Sun Zhan as he gets ready to commence his shift as a server at a hotpot eatery in the southern metropolis of Nanjing.
The 25-year-old recently earned a master's degree in finance. He aspired to “earn a substantial income” in a lucrative position but added, “I searched for such an opportunity, but without favorable outcomes.”
China produces millions of university graduates annually, but in certain disciplines, there is a scarcity of employment opportunities for them.
The economy has faced challenges and slowdowns in key industries like real estate and manufacturing.
Youth joblessness had approached 20% before the calculation methodology was modified to portray a rosier picture. In August 2024, it remained high at 18.8%. The most recent data for November indicates a decrease to 16.1%.
Numerous college graduates struggling to secure employment in their chosen fields are now taking jobs well beneath their qualifications, inviting disapproval from loved ones.
Sun Zhan's decision to work as a waiter prompted disapproval from his parents.
“The views of my family weigh heavily on me. After all, I devoted many years to studying and attended a reputable institution,” he states.
He states that his family is embarrassed by his career choice and would prefer he attempted to become a civil servant or government official, but he insists, “this is my decision.”
Yet he possesses a clandestine strategy. He intends to utilize his tenure as a waiter to acquire knowledge of the restaurant industry, with the ultimate goal of establishing his own establishment.
He believes that if he ultimately operates a prosperous enterprise, the detractors within his family will be compelled to modify their perspective.
“The employment scenario is exceptionally demanding in mainland China, thus I believe numerous youths must substantially recalibrate their aspirations,” remarks Professor Zhang Jun from the City University of Hong Kong.
She mentions numerous pupils are pursuing advanced qualifications to enhance career prospects, but subsequently confront the harsh realities of the job market.
“The employment landscape has been immensely challenging,” remarks 29-year-old Wu Dan, presently an apprentice at a sports injury massage facility in Shanghai.
For numerous classmates with master's degrees, it was their inaugural job search experience, yet scarce few secured employment.
With a finance degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, she never envisioned herself in her current situation.
Previously, she was employed at a futures trading firm in Shanghai, where her specialization lied in agricultural commodities.
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Her decision to reject those offers and pursue training in sports medicine met with disapproval from her family.
“They believed I previously had an excellent job, and my educational qualifications are quite impressive. They failed to comprehend why I opted for a low-entry job demanding physical labor for meager pay.”
She acknowledges that she couldn't subsist in Shanghai on her present income, were it not for the circumstance that her spouse possesses their residence.
Initially, she didn't know anyone who endorsed her present professional trajectory, but her mother has been gradually accepting it after she recently provided treatment for her ailing back, substantially alleviating the pain she had been enduring.
Presently, the former finance student expresses that an occupation in the investment sphere is ultimately unsuitable for her.
She expresses enthusiasm for sports-related injuries, appreciates her current role, and aspires to establish her own clinic in the future.
Chinese graduates must alter their notions about what constitutes “a desirable job,” according to Professor Zhang.
She notes that what could be viewed as “a cautionary signal” for youth, “numerous firms in China, encompassing various tech enterprises, have terminated a substantial number of employees.”
She also mentions that major sectors of the economy, previously substantial hirers of graduates, are now presenting subpar conditions, with respectable prospects in these domains vanishing entirely.
As they contemplate their future steps, jobless graduates have also been exploring opportunities in the film and television sector.
High-budget films require numerous extras to populate their scenes, and in China's renowned film production hub of Hengdian, southwest of Shanghai, there is an abundance of youth seeking acting opportunities.
“I primarily stand adjacent to the main character as eye candy. I'm visible next to the lead actors but have no dialogue,” remarks Wu Xinghai, an electronic information engineering graduate, who portrayed a bodyguard in a drama series.
The 26-year-old chuckles, acknowledging that his attractive appearance aided in securing work as a film extra.
He mentions that individuals frequently visit Hengdian for short-term employment lasting a few months. He acknowledges this as a temporary solution until he secures a permanent role, stating, “I don't earn much, but I feel at ease and liberated.”
“Isn't this the reality in China? As soon as you graduate, you find yourself jobless,” remarks Li, who preferred not to disclose his first name.
His majors were film direction and screenwriting, and he has also enrolled to work as an extra for several months.
“I've arrived here to seek employment while I'm still youthful. When I age, I'll secure a steady profession,” he stated.
However, numerous individuals dread they'll never secure a respectable position and might need to accept a role divergent from their aspirations.
The inadequate assurance in China's economic trajectory implies young individuals frequently remain uncertain about their future prospects.
Wu Dan states that even her employed acquaintances can experience substantial bewilderment.
“They are significantly perplexed and believe the future remains ambiguous. Employed individuals harbor dissatisfaction with their current roles. They are uncertain about the longevity of their positions. Moreover, if they were to lose their jobs, they lack alternative prospects,” she states.
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