China's graduates take jobs below their qualifications amid economic struggles

According to a recent article, BBC features that many young graduates in China are facing a tough job market, struggling to find employment in their field of study. 

A high-school graduate working as a handyman may possess a master's degree in physics; a cleaner could have a background in environmental planning; a delivery driver may have studied philosophy, and a Tsinghua University PhD graduate may find themselves applying for a position as an auxiliary police officer.

These examples reflect a broader trend in a struggling economy, with many similar cases emerging. 

"My dream job was to work in investment banking," says Sun Zhan, who is gearing up for his shift as a waiter at a hot pot restaurant in Nanjing. At 25, Sun recently earned a master's degree in finance, hoping to secure a high-paying job and "make a lot of money." However, after extensive job hunting, he found no success in his search for such a position.

China continues to graduate millions of students each year, but there are simply not enough opportunities in certain fields to match the demand. The country’s economy has been facing challenges, particularly in key sectors like real estate and manufacturing.

Youth unemployment, which had been hovering near 20 per cent before adjustments to the measurement method were made, was recorded at 18.8 per cent in August 2024. By November, the figure dropped to 16.1 per cent.

Many university graduates struggling to secure jobs in their chosen fields are now taking on roles that don't match their qualifications, which has led to criticism from family and friends.

When Sun Zhan took up a job as a waiter, it was met with disapproval from his parents.

"My family's opinions really concern me. After all, I studied for many years and attended a reputable school," he explains.

He shares that his family feels embarrassed by his job choice and wishes he would pursue a career as a public servant or official. However, Sun insists, "this is my choice."

Still, he has a secret plan. He aims to leverage his experience as a waiter to learn the restaurant business and eventually open his own establishment.

He believes that if his business succeeds, his family will have to change their perspective.

"The job market is extremely challenging in mainland China, so many young people must adjust their expectations," says Professor Zhang Jun from the City University of Hong Kong.

She points out that many students pursue higher degrees in the hope of better opportunities, but the reality of the job market often sets in too late.

"The job market has been really tough," agrees 29-year-old Wu Dan, a trainee at a sports injury massage clinic in Shanghai.

"For many of my master's degree classmates, this is their first experience job hunting, and very few of them have managed to secure a position," she explains.

She never expected to end up here, especially with a finance degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Before this, she worked at a futures trading company in Shanghai, specializing in agricultural products.

After completing her studies in Hong Kong and returning to the mainland, she aimed to work for a private equity firm. Although she received several offers, she was dissatisfied with the terms.

Choosing not to accept any of those offers and instead pursue training in sports medicine was met with disapproval from her family.

"They believed I had a great job before, and my educational background is very strong. They couldn’t understand why I opted for a low-barrier job that involves physical labor and offers little pay."

She confesses that she wouldn't be able to make ends meet in Shanghai on her current salary, were it not for the fact that her partner owns their home.

By Naila Huseynova