A new graduate from the prestigious Wuhan University, surnamed Gu, reluctantly took up a government post in Jiayuguan, Gansu Province, last year. The city is famous for the Jiayu Pass, the frontier fortifications at the western end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Great Wall. With a population of 320,000, Jiayuguan is the largest iron and steel producer in the northwest, and has a thriving tourism sector.

A German language and literature major holding a master's degree, Gu felt working in Jiayuguan was a waste of her talent. She began posting about her experiences online, grumbling about her dissatisfaction with the work. In April, she applied to resign and was approved.

Gu was recruited as a xuandiaosheng, a local government worker appointed through rigorous selection procedures soon after graduating from university. These young officials are required to work at the grassroots level for several years before being eligible to apply for higher posts.

Gu's experiences have recently triggered online debate. While some say everyone has the right to quit if they find themselves unfit for their jobs, others argue that xuandiaoshengs, selected for their talent and character as prospective leaders, should not be too self-centered.

Qu Jin (Jimu News): After reading Gu's story, many people, mistakenly so, see xuandiaoshengs as a group of young graduates who are only interested in stable and comfortable lives as civil servants, but who never aim to make use of their potential for local development.

Actually, Gu is only a rare exception. Take Gu's alma mater Wuhan University for example. Of the university's more than 3,000 graduates who have gone on to become xuandiaoshengs, many continue to work in less developed areas in central and western regions, helping with local economic and social advancement.

To become a xuandiaosheng, one must be prepared for hardships and challenges. If they are unable to face up to the difficulties of work and life at frontline posts, they will never do well in their new roles and their choice will result in a lose-lose situation: While these graduates may feel they have chosen the wrong job, the local governments that recruit them will also feel disappointed at their reluctance and inability to work there.

Gu's example shows that becoming a xuandiaosheng does not mean having a comfortable and stable job forever. Challenging living conditions and demanding daily routines will naturally eliminate those who are unwilling to roll up their sleeves.

Zhao Zhijiang (Qilu Evening News): Since new graduates choose to serve as a xuandiaosheng, they must accept local governments' arrangements and abide by the basic principles and discipline of their roles. Obviously, Gu had not mentally prepared herself for the job when she accepted the post in Jiayuguan. Her disgruntlement

and resignation disrupted the local government's human resources planning and necessitated Wuhan University to come forward to express regret for her behavior.

Allowing herself to be persuaded by her parents and tutor, she then publicly expressed her regret and dissatisfaction, even targeting barbs at Jiayuguan. Here, she made a mistake common among the young: not being sure about what it is they really want to do.

In the early days of their careers, some young people find adapting to the new environment difficult, partly because of the gaping gap between dreams and reality. For this reason, it's important for them to have a good understanding of their potential jobs beforehand. Sometimes, parents are to blame for imposing certain choices on their children regardless of the latter's real interests and personal abilities. It's a lesson for Gu's parents and all parents. BR

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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