Sherry
Grade 8
In China, there is a large nationwide exam called the National College Entrance Exam, or “Gaokao.” People’s scores on this exam decide whether they can get into a good university or whether they can go to university at all.
Many people believe that if you do well on the Gaokao, get into a good university, and study a good major, you will have a good job and a bright future. They think that the quality of the university, the Gaokao score, and future job prospects are all directly linked. But is that really true?
What is a university?
First, we need to go back and ask: what was the original purpose of a university?
In the past, knowledge was controlled by the upper classes of society. Because of this, a single natural disaster or plague could easily cause knowledge to be lost forever. Universities were created to pass on knowledge more effectively, not to be tied directly to careers.
Why do people in China generally believe that university equals career success?
This has to do with China’s special historical background. For historical reasons, China’s scientific and technological development fell far behind the times. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the country was in urgent need of skilled people. For example, if you studied civil engineering, you might be sent to help build buildings for the nation. During the reform and opening-up period, there were many job openings in the job market. At that time, “graduation meant getting a job” became the norm. So that generation generally believed that going to a good university meant getting a good job.
But things have changed now. The job market is full of educated people, and most graduates today find themselves unemployed after finishing school.
In fact, universities were never really meant to prepare students for careers. Universities teach knowledge, and their goal is to broaden students’ horizons. Schools that focus on careers are vocational schools. Those are the kinds of schools that truly help you find a job.
Is the Gaokao the only way to change your life?
A degree can make your resume look better, but the real path forward comes from within a person. The most important thing for success is personal ability. The Gaokao score and a degree are just the most common ways to prove that ability.
Improving your personal skills is more important than simply having a degree.
