College graduates in Zhongshan attending a job fair held at Zhongshan Gymnasium on June 15, 2019. [Photo by Li Xusheng]

According to data released by the Zhongshan Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, local college graduates in Zhongshan totaled 12,800 and 12,400 in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The number of graduates from five colleges and universities in Zhongshan was about 12,800 and 15,500 respectively. In addition to the graduates who came from other provinces to seek jobs in Zhongshan as well as those who applied for a suspension of employment in previous years, annually over 30,000 college graduates searched for employment in Zhongshan over the past two years. More than 60% of them were recruited by non-public enterprises each year.

The past two years have seen college graduates mainly working in the fields of administration/support services, internet development and application, and computer and data processing. Graduates from higher vocational schools have been typically engaged in administration/support services, internet development and application, sales and other occupations.

With the recent advancements made in artificial intelligence technology, job hunting in the areas of electronic information, computer, mechanical and electrical engineering and etc has been more difficult when compared with other professions, and the salary and other benefits of these jobs are higher. These findings were stated by Zheng Lingyan, Director of the Employment Office of the Admissions and Employment Division of Zhongshan Institute, UESTC.

In addition, about 70% of native Zhongshan graduates have found jobs in Zhongshan within the last few years. Graduates of five colleges in Zhongshan have also been given job priority in Zhongshan.

The average employment rate of local graduates and the graduates of five colleges in Zhongshan remains above 95%. 

"It is not difficult to find a job, but it is not very easy to find a job with good conditions in all aspects." Since last September, Wu Zhili, who majors in e-commerce at Guangdong Polytechnic College, has been looking for a desirable position, but he has found that either the salary is too low, or the work place and time are not satisfactory.

Structural "difficulties" are commonplace amongs most graduates who are seeking jobs, Zheng Lingyan said."They have high work expectations, or more of them want to be enrolled in state-owned enterprises and public institutions. These preferences are likely due to the influence of their parents."

"These days, it is often the case of graduates having the choice of the company in which they wish to work. Lately, students' idea of 'slow employment' has soared. This has been reflected in the proportion of higher studies and postgraduate entrance examinations," Zheng added.

According to statistics released by the Zhongshan Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, the proportion of college graduates from Zhongshan increased by 3.4 percentage points in 2018 compared with that of 2017.