In 2006 China graduated 4.13 million college graduates. 1.24 million never found work. That was with GDP growth rate three times higher than America's (10.1% to 3.4%)With the current economy the way it is, a lot of people are worried that number might increase substantially.
The government has been trying to convince students to not expect jobs out of college and to instead think about being entrepreneurs instead. I think it's a wonderful idea. I decided to have groups of four students design and start a fictitious business. Hopefully I can stretch it out over several weeks. Today was the first week.
My first two classes study h0tel management. I get them warmed up by talking about what, exactly, it is they study. "Cooking," says one student. "Mixing cocktails," says another with her head popping out of the dictionary. "Management," says another. Sounds like an interesting major. The first class got really rolling when I drew on the board a vertical arrow with "resort" on the top and "guesthouse/hostel" at the bottom and described the best characteristics of each. I had hotel as an offshoot in the middle with various star rankings lined up. Their task was to list three business ideas, like "A five star hotel in Italy" or "A motel in Xili." They got really into it. Their homework was to have a name, logo, and motto in a small powerpoint by next week.
My second class, not so well. After a little start up, I asked, "What's the #1 problem in China right now?"
Silence.
"No one?"
"Pollution," says one girl.
"Well, yes... but I'm thinking of something else..."
I started on the wrong foot. Ooops...
"You are!" I said. Shock. "I mean there's just not enough jobs for you guys, right? Too many college students, too few jobs... right?"
Silence. The foot in my mouth was beginning to twitch.
"I mean... what do you think? Am I right? Why won't you talk?," I asked
"This is a very serious problem. We think about it all the time," one of my girl students said.
"Well, we're going to fix it today! We're going to be entrepreneurs," I said as I lodged my foot deeper into my throats, "in English class!"
Yes. Trey is going to fix the problem of college graduate unemployment. In English class.
Now I know how not to start this subject off, at least.
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it's not easy to let them open their mouth...well,true.the percentage of college students who have got a job is 8% around this year...life is tough,eh?so...i guess many students may think about this ,but they just dont feel like to share in the class...you know, epecially the youth after 90's.they are kinda those ppl who think the whole world is dull and it sucks...so they really dont wanna talk about it.
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