In 1990, when China's illiteracy rate was as high as 90 percent, university students were a scarce resource, and graduation meant being assigned a decent job. In 2001, China joined the World Trade Organization, and foreign capital poured in.
The market demand has increased dramatically, and college students can find good jobs as long as they know some English and some skills to find a job. At that time, college students really experienced the feeling that "pigs on the tuyere" could fly.
Time flies, and the situation is different today. The development of science and technology and the popularization of education have led to a record number of college graduates every year, and the number of jobs has not increased at the same time, and the competition has become extremely fierce.
Many parents and students still cling to the old ways of thinking that a college diploma can pave the way for the future, but the reality is harsh. Today's China is a highly developed country, people's comprehensive quality has improved significantly, and it is difficult to stand out in the fierce competition in the workplace by relying on diplomas alone.
Zhang Xuefeng has helped many students and parents understand the real situation in education and the workplace by breaking down information barriers. Now even Zhang Xuefeng has found that there are fewer and fewer "hot" majors he can recommend, because the current job market is changing too fast, and today's popular majors may be saturated tomorrow.
This rapid change is due to changes in market demand and also because of technological advancements. The development of AI is gradually replacing many basic and repetitive tasks, which is a huge challenge for graduates who rely only on basic skills and knowledge. The future does not require more academic qualifications, but the ability to continuously learn and adapt to new technologies.
How can parents and students respond to this change? First understand and accept that college is no longer the only option, it is an adjustment that every family must make. For those who are extremely gifted in science and engineering, they should continue their education, because the field of science and technology is always in need of top talent;
For those students with specific interests and talents, arts or sports, they should be encouraged to develop their own strengths, because the future society needs a diverse range of talents.
For most students, mastering a skill, programming, data analysis, or foreign language is more important than simply pursuing a high degree. Internships and work experience are also crucial to help students better understand the demands of the workplace and adapt to the work environment.
In terms of educational options, in addition to traditional full-time education, there are now many online courses and short-term training courses that provide rapid learning of professional skills. These platforms, such as Coursera, Udacity, etc., provide courses that are up-to-date and can also help students master skills that are in short demand in the market.
The essence of education is to prepare for future life and work, not to obtain a diploma. Parents and students need to pay more attention to the practicality and adaptability of education. In today's highly competitive society, the real winners are those who can learn and adapt quickly to change.
The current education and employment landscape is undergoing profound changes. This change has left parents and students with the need to make timely adjustments and re-evaluate the goals and methods of education.
Only in this way can we remain competitive in the future workplace, realize self-worth and career development. In the face of the future, we have no reason to be afraid of change, we should learn to embrace change and prepare our future in the right way.