The status quo, causes, and countermeasures of employment difficulties faced by college graduates in China

ABSTRACT

The employment of college graduates is related to social stability, and graduates with difficulties are at a disadvantage when seeking jobs, therefore they should be given greater concern. Based on defining the graduates with difficulties, this study analyzes the employment status of college graduates and the causes of employment difficulties from the perspective of fresh graduates and non-fresh graduates. Firstly, the questionnaire survey of fresh graduates is analyzed. Secondly, an in-depth interview analysis of fresh graduates and experts is conducted. Finally, the quantitative analysis of non-fresh graduates is carried out. The results show that the supply of fresh graduates does not match the job demand in the labor market and non-fresh graduates who are married find it difficult to return to work. Through further analysis of the causes, this study finds that fresh graduates are restricted by four aspects: high expectations and low abilities, less family pressure, insufficient in-depth school guidance, and inadequate support from employers. Non-fresh graduates are subjected to gender barriers that make it difficult for them to find jobs. This study provides a new perspective for understanding and has reference value for promoting the employment of college graduates.

KEYWORDS:

• College graduates
• employability
• employment difficulties
• employment choice
• employment situation

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Shanghai Youth & Children Research Center, Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, and other relevant departments, Professor Ying Wang of Shanghai Institute of Technology, researcher, and doctoral supervisor Shejian Liu of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences for their support and suggestions. Thank the research team for their hard work in the questionnaire survey and interview. In addition, we are grateful to the chief editor and reviewers for their constructive and professional suggestions, which have benefited us a lot.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Major Program of National Fund of Philosophy and Social Science of China [22ZDA030].

Notes on contributors

Tingting Qian

Tingting Qian: Associate professor, Shanghai Institute of Technology. Doctor of political economy, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, and short-term research scholar, Oxford University. Her research interest includes college students’ employment.

Jiale Bian

Jiale Bian: Graduate student, School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Institute of Technology. Her research interests include youth employment and employment policy.

Jianing Chen

Jianing Chen: Graduate student, School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Institute of Technology. Her research interest includes employment.