From The Ivory Tower To The Grass-roots: Postgraduates From "Double First-class" Universities Who Enter The County Government For Employment

This article is an in-depth report that tells the story of grass-roots employment of highly educated talents through interviews with 17 postgraduates from "Double FirstClass" universities who are employed within the county system.In recent years,employment and living pressures in large cities have increased gradually.Some postgraduates from "Double First-Class" universities choose to work in county-level governments.This article explores the process and reasons for their choice of employment,the situation of their current work and life and factors that affect their willingness to stay at the grass-roots level for long-term development from multiple dimensions.From an objective perspective,the depreciation of academic qualifications,the impact of the epidemic,and talent policies are the structural factors that prompt postgraduates from " Double First-Class " universities to leave cities and go to the grassroots level for employment.From a subjective perspective,employment choices within the county system are determined by a combination of factors.Some choose to go to the grass-roots level to make a contribution to the country and the people;others choose to remain unchecked in their careers after returning to their hometowns.However,stability is the most important factor for most postgraduates in " Double First-Class " universities in the process of career selection.There are two main ways to get into the county system,including talent policies and public service examinations.Among them,public servants tend to have better salaries and clearer access to promotions.In this case,some postgraduates regard the talent policies as a transitional period to become public servants.From the perspective of county life,after leaving universities,postgraduates have discovered that grass-roots work is fraught with difficulties and challenges.Especially for young talents with high academic qualifications who are focal trained by the government.Working at the grassroots level is never idle.In addition,the interpersonal communication patterns in the acquaintance society also has a multifaceted effect on young talents with high academic qualifications.In terms of factors that affect the willingness of postgraduates from " Double FirstClass " university to stay at the grass-roots level for development,settlement,salary,housing policy,and promotion have significant impacts.In addition,a sense of professional value and professional identity are deep-seated factors that affect their willingness to stay at the grass-roots level for long-term development.Therefore,only by making improvements in the above factors and adjusting the supply and demand relation between highly educated talent and the grass-roots labor market can the grassroots government retain talent effectively.