Controversial job ad stirs debate on higher education

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A local government in China recently apologized and responded after a controversial job posting on its website provoked an online debate about income-education mismatches in China.

The ad, posted by the local government in Shenmu County, Yulin City in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, claimed to look for master degree holders to fill a number of entry-level positions for social service work and drew a myriad of criticism online.

It offered its prospective postgraduate employees a pay of 2,500 yuan per month (about 367 US Dollar), a salary far lower than the estimated average income level for postgraduates across China, which is said to be 8,000 yuan (about 1,178 US Dollar), according to the Paper.

In response, the government employer expressed regret for not fully listing the conditions and requirements for applicants in the original job posting.

It clarified the job openings were part of a social welfare program aimed to accommodate people with employment difficulties- which in this case- a growing number of local postgraduate students who are unemployed.

Such positions will be paid for by a government social security grant, which normally rounds up to about 2,500 yuan, according to the Paper.

Nonetheless, the jobs’ disproportional link to its demand for higher education holders was criticized by many online, as prioritizing unemployed postgraduates takes away the opportunity for people who’re in real need of employment due to many social factors, the Paper reports.

On Weibo, many are tying to make sense of the mismatch, while others are frustrated by it.

Weibo user @Juanjuanjuanlian explains what social welfare job is in the comments. /Screenshot via Weibo

“Aren't high-school or college graduates qualified for these social welfare jobs? Why does it need to be postgraduates?” Weibo user @Zhongguangmingweibo weighs in.

Another user @Zhongguangmingweibo is not impressed by the job's high demand for the level of education. /Screenshot via Weibo

Some people think that the intensified pressure on the job market for recent graduates was the reason why.

“Don’t you think this is because of the pressure to find jobs? It’s difficult for postgraduates, let alone those without master degrees.” User @Heisexinfeng1645 comments.

@Heisexinfeng1645 thinks it's because of rising pressure facing recent university graduates. /Screenshot via Weibo

And most netizens can’t avoid feeling “deflated” toward their high education degrees.

“A high-level diploma is worthless to them”, user @Laoliuinxian commented. “A waste of resources and education.” User @Shiruhua added.

Other netizens simply came to the conclusion that high education is deflated these days. /Screenshot via Weibo

User @Shiruhua thinks the high requirement of such entry-level jobs is not reasonable. /Screenshot via Weibo