China's post-2000 generation considers interests over salaries in choosing majors

A recent survey has suggested that China's youngsters born in the 21st century think more of their personal interests than the economic outlook of their future employment in choosing their college majors, reports The Paper.

Conducted by Beijing Normal University and several other private education companies, the survey analyzed the online college applications of 772,000 students coming from 31 provincial regions of China, according to the report.

Graduates of the Hebei University of Science & Technology pose for a photo before leaving the campus on May 24, 2018. [Photo: IC]

The survey's findings show that majors like insurance, finance and management with relatively higher monthly salaries for graduates have a below the average rate of interest among the post-2000 generation in China.

Contrary to their predecessors, today's youngsters in China are more interested in majors like preschool education, science education, special education and history, which are among the least paying careers for graduates.

Majors related to the traditional industries including marine technology, aquaculture and mining engineering are also not favored.

The top 5 most popular majors of science and engineering are psychology, forensic medicine, mathematics and applied mathematics, statistics and information and computer sciences, according to the survey.

The report published by The Paper said that, besides the overall social background, TV dramas, social events and news reports could all become the factors affecting Chinese students' preferences for college majors.