The decrease in the number of graduate students in 2024 has aroused widespread heated discussions and concerns. Although for many college students, the postgraduate entrance examination has always been a way to improve their academic qualifications and increase their employment competitiveness, but in recent years, the attractiveness of the postgraduate entrance examination seems to have gradually declined. Zhang Xuefeng, a well-known postgraduate entrance examination teacher, successfully ** the decline in the number of postgraduate entrance examinations in 2024, which has triggered a discussion about whether it is beneficial to take postgraduate examinations. This paper will focus on whether the reduction in the number of graduate students is beneficial**, and analyze this from the aspects of employment pressure, depreciation of graduate degrees, and changes in the employment environment. Finally, some personal thoughts and suggestions will be given on the choice of postgraduate entrance examination.
In today's society, employment pressure is a common challenge for college students. Many graduates find that having a bachelor's degree doesn't necessarily lead to a successful job. Therefore, the postgraduate entrance examination has become an option for them to enhance their competitiveness and increase employment opportunities.
However, with the increase in the number of college students and the intensification of competition in the job market, the improvement of academic qualifications has gradually failed to keep up with the development of the job market. Many companies prefer younger fresh graduates because they are more malleable and adaptable. For these companies, they do not need graduates to have a strong academic background, but focus on their practical abilities and potential.
At the same time, in order to alleviate the pressure of employment, many positions have lowered the threshold for fresh graduates, further weakening the attractiveness of postgraduate entrance examinations for job hunting. For students from ordinary families, the graduate school entrance examination has become a financial burden. Therefore, with the increasing pressure of employment, many students have given up the postgraduate entrance examination and chose direct employment.
Postgraduate qualifications have long been recognized as an important way to enhance career development and competitiveness. Many students choose to go to graduate school in order to pursue better development and career opportunities. However, over time, the advantages of a postgraduate degree have gradually diminished and even depreciated.
First of all, the increase in the number of graduate degrees has led to a general improvement in the level of academic qualifications, which has led to a decrease in the gold content of graduate degrees. Compared with the past, graduate students are no longer as widely valued by society, enterprises and institutions as they were in the past. Many companies place more emphasis on practical work experience and the development of competencies than just academic qualifications.
Secondly, there are also differences in the employment situation of different majors. Some majors have high requirements for graduate qualifications, while others have a greater focus on practical work experience and skills. Many job seekers find that having a graduate degree does not lead to better employment opportunities, but may be overlooked by employers due to a lack of practical experience.
Finally, with the change of the way society recruits, the role of graduate degree as a standardized selection method has also been challenged. More and more enterprises and institutions have begun to pay attention to the comprehensive quality and ability of candidates, and evaluate the adaptability of job seekers through interviews, practical ability tests and other methods. In this case, a graduate degree is not a decisive factor in the job search.
Changes in the employment environment have also had an impact on the decline in the number of graduate students. In recent years, with the instability of economic development and the decline of corporate efficiency, many companies have laid off employees or reduced their recruitment plans. This makes the job market more competitive and makes it more difficult for graduates to find jobs.
At the same time, some students also find it difficult for them to find a satisfying job in the job market, even with a graduate degree. Many good positions require a wealth of practical experience and professional skills, not just academic qualifications. In addition, due to the decline in business performance, many companies have had to cut the salary and benefits of their employees, making the salary package no longer attractive to job seekers.
As a result of these changes, many graduates are less likely to be admitted to graduate school and are more inclined to choose direct employment.
The decrease in the number of graduate students is the result of a combination of factors. First of all, the pressure of employment is gradually increasing, causing many students to give up the postgraduate entrance examination and choose employment. Secondly, the advantages of postgraduate qualifications are gradually decreasing, resulting in less attractive postgraduate entrance examination options. Finally, changes in the employment environment have made graduate school entrance examinations no longer the first choice for job hunting.
For college students, whether or not the graduate school entrance examination is beneficial needs to be judged based on personal circumstances. If you have a clear career plan and an interest in pursuing scientific research, then going to graduate school can still be a good choice. However, candidates need to fully understand the postgraduate entrance examination policy and employment situation before making a decision, and make a rational judgment.
In addition, for students who want to upgrade their academic qualifications, change their career trajectory, or pursue an international education, studying abroad is also an option to consider. However, the opportunity to study abroad is not available to everyone, so it is necessary to consider the individual's family conditions and development goals.
In the end, whether you choose to go to graduate school or other career paths, you need to put in hard work and sweat. The key is to find the right direction for you and give it your all. Everyone's choices are different, and it's important to make informed decisions based on your own circumstances.