Graduates apply for jobs at an employment meeting in Nanjing, eastern China's Jiangsu Province, on May 31, 2008. [File photo: cnsphoto]

Choosing university majors has become the top concern among new high school graduates as they await the results of the National College Entrance Exam.

Every year, millions of students crowd into a few so-called "hot" majors in the hopes of getting a better job after graduation, but the latest survey shows that connection is far from guaranteed, China Youth Daily reported on Monday.

The survey, conducted by consulting firm MyCOS, showed that supply exceeding demand is a common phenomenon among the hottest majors in China. Nine of the ten undergraduate majors with the highest number unemployed graduates are "hot" majors.

The results show that 33 percent of unemployed recent graduates surveyed undertook one of the ten hottest majors in college. According to the survey, the average employment rate of college graduates is 91 percent six months after graduation, but those of many "hot" majors don't reach that level. Among law graduates, for example, the employment rate is only 86 percent.

Dr. Wang Boqing of MyCOS thinks that enrollment levels in "hot" courses are the main reason for the imbalance. Most of the students didn't have professional plans before choosing their majors, and relied on limited suggestions from their teachers and parents. The students didn't have a full information system for reference, Wang said.

Another survey shows that the majority of students (56.7 percent) choose majors with their parents, 20 percent discuss their plans with teachers, and another 15.9 percent decide on their own. Only 7.4 percent make a decision with the help of aptitude tests, which are popular in Western countries as a means of guiding students to fulfill their potential and take appropriate professional paths.

Careless choices lead to dissatisfaction among graduates. A survey by zhaopin.com shows that 52 percent of respondents wish they had chosen a different major. Thirty-four percent want to take up additional majors. Only 14 percent say they don't regret their choices.

But the situation is becoming brighter. Along with increased guidance at school, students can also find the information they need on the Internet as more Web sites begin offering course selection tips and related employment information.

Wang said colleges, too, need to adapt their courses to fit the changing socioeconomic structure and cap enrollment in certain programs.

(CRI English June 23, 2008)