Refocusing

China's enrollment for professional master's degrees, which emphasize the practical application of knowledge and skills, will be increased to about two-thirds of all master's degree programs by 2025, the education ministry said in late December.

This structural adjustment of master's degrees is inevitably affecting students' choices. Fortunately, more young people are aware that they are entitled to make their own choices on education. "I believe we should find the path that is suitable for each individual, though none of these goals are easy to achieve, and struggle for our dreams," Yang said.

Having no interest in academic research or working at government-related institutions, Yang is now preparing to study abroad and plans to get an internship with an internet company.

While fewer students took the exam for postgraduate studies last year, more registered for the annual civil service recruitment examination to compete for vacancies at central authorities and their branches.

The National Civil Service Administration said 3.03 million applicants were eligible to take the test in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 16.8 percent. In November, about 2.25 million applicants took the exam.

The country plans to recruit 39,600 civil servants this year, a 6.7 percent increase from the previous year. However, it's a fiercely competitive process as the job-to-applicant ratio is about 1 to 57.

Chen said more and more graduates began to realize the importance of obtaining a secure job in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Examinations for public service and other government-related jobs have gained in popularity.

"Obtaining a postgraduate degree may not earn a promising career, but by taking the test for civil servants' recruitment, it's possible to directly hit the goal. So, some students give up the postgraduate studies exam if they cannot take both exams," Chen said.