The number of graduate students in 2024 has dropped by 360,000 compared to 2019, and this news has sparked widespread discussion. There are different views on the reasons for the decline in the number of graduate students. According to Mr. Zhang Xuefeng's views and some relevant data, the following three main reasons can be summarized.
First, graduate degrees are gradually depreciating, and students are becoming more aware that graduate degrees no longer have unique advantages. With the popularization of higher education, graduate degrees are no longer a scarce resource, and many jobs do not have a clear distinction between undergraduate and graduate students, and some positions even prefer undergraduates with practical experience. For many students, giving up graduate school to go for employment may be more likely to provide more opportunities and prospects.
Second, the employment environment has changed dramatically, adding more uncertainty to the graduate school entrance examination. The current job market is highly competitive, and many graduates find that the employment situation is not optimistic. Problems such as declining corporate efficiency and layoffs have led to difficulties in finding employment for many graduates. In addition, the pay and benefits packages for some jobs are not satisfactory. All of these factors have led many students to believe that direct employment may be a safer and more stable option.
The third reason is the change in China's postgraduate examination policy. In recent years, the state has continuously adjusted the postgraduate entrance examination policy. For example, schools have reduced master's degree-granting points, while the number of professional master's degrees has increased significantly. This makes it impossible for many undergraduate students who want to pursue a research direction to successfully go ashore. In addition, colleges and universities no longer provide dormitories for graduate students, which adds to the burden for some financially challenged students. All these factors make some students feel that the time and financial cost of the graduate school entrance examination is too high, so they give up the graduate school entrance examination and choose direct employment.
The above is about the reason for the decrease in the number of graduate students in 2024. Next, we can summarize this topic through students' thoughts on the pursuit and future development of graduate school entrance examinations.
Postgraduate entrance examination has always been a hot topic for college students, because it can not only improve academic qualifications, but also increase employment competitiveness. However, in the context of today's times, we need to think more rationally about the value and significance of postgraduate entrance examinations.
First of all, students need to establish their goals and motivations when considering whether or not to go to graduate school. You can't blindly follow the herd and choose to go to graduate school just because others are in graduate school. We should think deeply about our interests and career plans to see if it is really necessary to pursue a graduate degree.
Second, we should pay attention to the changes in the employment environment and the needs of the job market. As society evolves, so do the needs of the job market, and we need to pay attention to and adapt to these changes. For some career fields, a bachelor's degree is even more competitive because it focuses more on practice and skills.
Finally, we need to recognize that different people have different paths. For students with better family conditions, they can consider studying abroad to broaden their horizons and experiences. For students from ordinary families, graduate school entrance examination or other employment paths may be more suitable for them. It is important to be clear about your goals and conditions and choose a development path that suits you.
To sum up, the decrease in the number of graduate students in 2024 is mainly due to the depreciation of graduate degrees, changes in the employment environment, and changes in postgraduate admission policies. Everyone's choice has its own considerations and reasons, and we should understand and respect everyone's choice. Whether we choose graduate school or other career paths, the key is to be clear about our goals and work hard for them. No matter what path we choose, we should maintain the pursuit of knowledge and hope for the future, and strive for our own growth and development.