Top Biz News

Business studies a 'major' problem

By Zhao Ziran (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-24 08:28

It is not that students are unaware of the problem. Ran Xudong, a marketing major student at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, complained that businesses graduates need to gain practical experience, but most of the courses were "too vague and general."

So, Xiong suggested, it might be time for senior middle school students and parents to start thinking about how to choose a major more wisely.

"Don't be swayed by what seems popular," he said. "Selecting a major should be based on  students' interests and future social needs."

Huang Xinwei, a student at Tsinghua University, said he chose to study chemical engineering because he believes that every nation needs to develop its energy resources. The industry is vital to the country, and chemical engineering graduates are now in high demand.

"But you can't be certain that a wonderful job will be waiting for you after you graduate," he said.

His advice: "First, the major you choose should be in the range of your interests. It might not be your favourite one, but certainly not something in a totally different area like, say, you like maths but choose law. That will be a disaster."

Yu Xiaolong, headmaster of the Beijing Foreign Language School, said: "A wrong major is not only a tragedy for the teenager but also a waste of the nation's human resources."