(LI SHIGONG)

Recently, a screenshot of a staff recruitment notice from Baoshan University in Yunnan Province, southwest China, caused an online sensation. Among the seven people hired for the positions such as dormitory administrator and security guard, four hold a master's degree.

Some have expressed sympathy for these postgraduates, lamenting that these roles are a poor match for their qualifications and pointing to the perceived devaluation of advanced degrees. Others have argued that it may not necessarily be a waste of talent but rather a reflection of the country's fierce job competition—or personal choice. They believe society should adopt a more open and rational attitude toward such employment scenarios.

Yang Ruixin (Rednet.cn): In recent years, more and more highly educated graduates are taking up positions traditionally considered low status. This trend does not necessarily signify the devaluation of advanced degrees but reflects a more flexible and realistic approach by the younger generation in job hunting. Many see their initial job as a stepping-stone from academia to more professional roles. While it may appear they are "settling" for less, these choices often align with their long-term career planning.

This perceived "mismatch" has seen numerous examples in recent years. On the one hand, it suggests a subtle shift in society's regard for advanced degrees; on the other, it highlights deficiencies in China's current higher education system. Unlike in the past, advanced degrees no longer guarantee ideal, high-paying jobs, as these qualifications do not inherently create the expected social and economic value. Meanwhile, higher education should move beyond merely producing specialized talent and instead focus on cultivating students' comprehensive skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

Addressing these issues requires reforming the higher education model while enhancing vocational education and skills training. Graduates with advanced degrees should possess both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve the fairness and efficiency of human resource allocation.

Qu Jing (Jimu News): To be a dormitory administrator, job applicants don't need an advanced degree. They only need to be patient and attentive, and have solid communication skills, as well as a sense of responsibility.

It's shocking to see master's degree holders applying for this post. People's surprise at the news comes from their ingrained belief that the higher one's education level, the higher-end jobs they deserve. In real life, however, as higher education becomes more popular, the competition for good jobs is increasingly fierce. As a result, more and more highly educated college graduates are picking up job positions that require no academic qualifications whatsoever.

However, people should not rush to the conclusion that higher education is useless just because of this one example. The four postgraduates likely made their choice either based on personal interest or as part of their long-term career planning. Additionally, they may simply enjoy life on campus. There is nothing wrong with their decision. Dormitories are an important part of student campus life and, in this context, dormitory management directly impacts their daily life and learning.

Generally speaking, postgraduate students tend to have stronger cultural competence, and organizational and coordination skills compared to typical dormitory administrators, enabling them to better understand and meet students' needs. More importantly, they can leverage their professional knowledge and research skills to conduct in-depth analyses of problems in dormitory management and propose practical, feasible solutions. In this sense, their involvement in dormitory management is not a waste of talent but rather an enhancement of the role.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

Comments to yanwei@cicgamericas.com