Graduates face fierce competition to find work

Different approach

Outbreaks of COVID-19 have increased the difficulties for young job seekers, especially this year, but the disease may also have prompted a changed mindset.

Niu Yi, a second-year postgraduate student majoring in English translation at Xi'an International Studies University in Shaanxi, began her internship during the spring semester in Shanghai－a city she has always been fond of.

She thought that as one of the most developed and open cities in China, Shanghai was the ideal place for students majoring in English to show their expertise.

Niu welcomed the valuable opportunity to intern in the city, but the local COVID-19 outbreak significantly disrupted her plans.

"I worked at a company for only two weeks after arriving in Shanghai, before we were asked to stay home on March 12.Eight days later, I was in lockdown," she said.

"I did translation work from home, covering various fields from machinery to life sciences, which was beyond my scope of learning at college."

Niu said even though her internship was monotonous due to COVID-19, she gained more than just a working experience.

"I made some progress at work at a time when life was far from easy. As a result, I am now more determined than ever to fulfill my ambition of becoming a translator," she said.

Moreover, Niu said the experience of working during the outbreak changed her opinion that she would find it difficult to live in Shanghai.

"I used to think I would not be able to survive in such a competitive city," she said.

"But after arriving in Shanghai, seeing everything happening, and getting through this difficult time, I realize that you should not become trapped by barriers in your imagination. Cities have no barriers, but you need to be persistent to adapt to different circumstances."

To help graduates find jobs quickly and more easily, universities are providing services in a number of ways.

In addition to giving advice to graduates and holding job fairs, some university leaders have approached companies in person to discuss talent cooperation.

For example, the president and several vice-presidents of Beijing Technology and Business University visited Lenovo, BOE Technology Group, Easyhome and several industrial parks to increase job opportunities and discuss the cultivation of talent.

Minzu University of China has conducted surveys among students to find their ideal jobs and better prepare them to deal with employment policies and strategies.

Online and offline job fairs have also been held during COVID-19 outbreaks to help graduates find work.

The Ministry of Education stated recently that graduates face a complicated and severe employment situation this year due to numerous factors, and universities should step up efforts to explore more job possibilities and offer additional services for students.

Many students are now spending a third year studying online since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. Their work includes important steps such as final thesis defense before graduation.

However, despite the challenges they face, including COVID-19 and the pressure to find work, these young people have firm confidence in the future.

In the spring, students in many cities were unable to return to campuses due to COVID-19 outbreaks. In some places, they could not attend university for the entire semester.

Universities had to go online to hold thesis defenses and award degrees to students unable to attend in person.