1. Employment choices tend to be rational
In the past, some students chose to study for graduate school because of difficulties in finding employment, so as to increase the academic weight of entering the work in the future. However, as time goes on, the increase in graduate degrees is noticeable, and it becomes difficult to find a satisfying job. Previously, it was reported that "211 college graduates with master's degrees work as cleaners in hot pot restaurants", which shows the existence of employment pressure in reality. As a result, more and more people are choosing to work directly, work ahead and gain practical experience, rather than choosing to pursue graduate school.
Employment options are one of the important reasons for the decline in the number of graduate students. In the past, graduate school entrance examinations were seen to some extent as an unemployable alternative. However, today, with the intensification of competition in the workplace, companies are focusing more on practical work experience and professional skills, rather than academic endorsements on paper. At the same time, the popularization of higher education has led to a surge in the number of graduate students, increasing the pressure of competition. Therefore, the rise of the concept of rational employment has made more and more graduates choose direct employment, hoping to make breakthroughs in career development through the improvement of work experience and practical ability.
2. The employment situation is diversified
In the past, postgraduate entrance examination and national public examination were regarded as two different pathways. However, data in recent years show that the number of graduate students has dropped by about 360,000, while the number of national public students has increased by about 400,000. Although there is no necessary connection between the two, it can be seen that there are many students who choose between the postgraduate entrance examination and the national examination in order to seek stability and development potential. In addition, due to the impact of the epidemic and other factors, some students are more inclined to choose stable and realistic employment positions, which is also one of the reasons for the decline in the number of graduate students.
The diversification of the employment situation is one of the important reasons for the decline in the number of graduate students. In the past, the postgraduate entrance examination and the national public examination were regarded as two completely independent pathways. However, the trend in recent years shows that some students are making trade-offs between choosing the postgraduate entrance examination and the national examination in order to obtain better development prospects. Compared with the time and effort required to study for graduate school, the success rate of the national government is relatively high, and it has better benefits and stability. Under the changes in the social environment and employment situation, some students tend to be more stable and realistic when considering employment options, so they choose the national examination instead of the postgraduate entrance examination.
3. The requirements for graduate students are constantly improving
Pursuing graduate school is not an easy task. Graduate students are faced with heavy course tasks, strict supervisor requirements, and a tense academic atmosphere. Compared with undergraduates, graduate students need to have higher academic quality and research ability. And, pursuing graduate school is not a smooth process. Depending on the individual's strength and choice of research direction, some students may need years to complete their studies. This pressure forced some students to retreat from the postgraduate entrance examination process, and finally chose to give up the postgraduate entrance examination.
The increasing requirements for graduate students are also one of the reasons for the decline in the number of graduate students. Pursuing graduate school is not as easy as one might think, and they need to deal with heavy course tasks, strict supervisor requirements, and a tense academic atmosphere. Compared with undergraduates, graduate students need to have higher academic quality and scientific research ability, and they need to delve into a specific field and contribute to it. However, pursuing graduate school is not a smooth process. Unlike undergraduates, graduate students often do not have a fixed time limit, but rely on their individual strength and choice of research direction. Some students even take years to complete their studies. This pressure and uncertainty discourages some people from pursuing graduate school and eventually decide to give up on graduate school.
Although the number of graduate students is declining, it does not mean that the value of graduate education is diminishing. On the contrary, it shows that our educational undertaking has entered a new phase. At this stage, we need to pay attention not only to the number of graduate students, but more importantly, to improve the quality of graduate training and cultivate more talents with innovative spirit and practical ability.
In the context of education reform, we need to examine the positioning and goals of graduate education. Graduate students should become talents with professional quality and scientific research ability, which should not only be a symbol of academic qualifications, but also a pillar of talent with practical ability and innovative thinking. Therefore, improving the quality of graduate education and cultivating practical ability is an important task of the current education reform.
At the same time, we should also pay attention to those who give up the graduate school entrance examination for various reasons. Everyone's life choices are independent and individualistic, some people choose to work directly, some people choose to start a business, and some people choose to pursue a master's or doctoral degree. We do not have the right to criticize or judge the choices of others, but we should respect everyone's choices and provide them with an environment and opportunities suitable for their development.
Finally, the reasons and trends for the decline in the number of graduate students cannot simply be attributed to the choices of individual students. It is the result of a combination of socio-economic development and educational policies. Education reform needs to be in line with the needs of society, the job market, and the development needs of individual students. Only in this way can our educational undertakings better meet the needs of social development and cultivate more talents with innovative spirit and practical ability for the prosperity and development of the country.