Choose major carefully

Sixty youths, 34 of them with college diplomas, joined a butcher training program recently, sparking a public debate with some people saying that if a college degree holder works as a butcher it would be a waste of human resources.

I think the problem lies with the education system and the choice of subjects made by students. Many students choose to major in subjects that do not have practical applications in the job market, or for that matter in the real world. Therefore, it is not surprising that some of them end up doing jobs that don't require expert knowledge.

Some universities give out degrees in certain subjects like candies, because they are easy majors that are neither valued nor in demand. Applied majors, such as those in engineering, chemistry, business and pharmacy, are more in demand in the current job market.

In the US, a bachelor's degree is the minimum a candidate requires to land a job and a master's degree is necessary to get a higher paying job of choice. Chinese people are going through the same pain as higher education develops at a fast pace. If there are too many candidates and not enough jobs, a candidate has to have something extra to "stand out" in a crowd to get a well-paying job.

A reader, on China Daily forum

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send your e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.

(China Daily USA 08/22/2013 page12)