China’s young jobseekers confront challenges, seek new opportunities as economy undergoes profound transition
- For fresh graduates, pressure has never been greater in their bid to secure a dream job, but some are cashing in as industries evolve
- China is pushing to enhance its manufacturing and smart infrastructure sectors, opening doors for new jobs as a record number of students prepare to enter job market
Cheng Linggeng used to fear the grim and uncertain job market he was entering, as the prospect of finding employment as a young person seemed increasingly daunting.
But when the 22-year-old automation major started job-hunting, he found the process surprisingly smooth – he bagged three job offers out of the five positions he applied for.
“I haven’t heard anyone [around me] saying they couldn’t find a job,” said Cheng, who is in his last year at Xian Polytechnic University. “The employment pressure is nonexistent.”
But for Guan Wei, who is in her final year at Nanjing Normal University and wants to work at an internet firm, the outlook for finding work appears more worrisome in light of last year’s regulatory crackdowns in tech that resulted in mass lay-offs, and she has concerns about future uncertainties.