Gen Z is redefining career success, focusing less on salary and prestige and more on fulfillment, work-life balance, personal growth, and social impact.
More Gen Z students are stepping outside their majors to pursue “cross-disciplinary internships.” For example, a minor-language major became a tea e-commerce livestream host, while a computer science major explored documentary filmmaking and acting. These choices reflect both personal curiosity and opportunities created by new types of jobs.
China National Nuclear Corporation reportedly received over 1.19 million résumés for only a few thousand openings, highlighting the extreme employment pressure on young people.
As of July, the unemployment rate among 16–24-year-olds outside of school was 17.8%, while the rate among 25–29-year-olds was 6.9%. This highlights the persistent employment challenges faced by university graduates.
According to the Ministry of Education, the number of 2025 university graduates is expected to reach 12.22 million, an increase of 430,000 year-on-year, marking a new record high. The government has launched a “100-Day Sprint for Employment Promotion” campaign, requiring local authorities and universities to strengthen job creation, subsidies, and career guidance.
