Summary of Key Points
This article uses real-life examples of the author's 985 university classmates to illustrate the different career paths taken by individuals more than a decade after graduation: most have become part of the "middle class" (with monthly salaries of 15,000-25,000 yuan and mortgages), a few have started businesses and become part of the "top tier" (with assets in the tens of millions to hundreds of millions of yuan), while a small portion have fallen into the "lower class" (unemployed or with low salaries). The article compares the differences between working for large companies and running small businesses, noting that although graduates from prestigious universities may have higher starting points, their potential is limited. It also emphasizes the importance of luck in success, as well as the value of a balanced and peaceful life after middle age over mere wealth.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Three Life Paths of 985 Graduates: Who Is at the Top, Who Is in the Middle?
The author categorizes his classmates into three groups:
- Top Tier (0-2 people): Almost all have started businesses or engaged in entrepreneurship (rarely staying in their original fields), with assets ranging from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of yuan. For example, some made the right choice out of a momentary decision decades ago, such as starting a factory or a training company, but luck played a significant role too (they claim it accounted for 90% of their success). However, this group also faces higher risks; for instance, one who failed to sell his company in 2019 ended up struggling financially by 2020.
- Middle Class (60%-80%): Earn monthly salaries of 15,000-25,000 yuan in first- and second-tier cities, and about 70% less in third- and fourth-tier cities. Most are ordinary employees in large companies or enterprises, and they are more likely to get laid off after the age of 35 (for example, a 985 graduate with both a bachelor's and master's degree was laid off and became unemployed after divorce).
- Lower Class (about 10%): Unemployed or earning only a few thousand yuan per month, with poor career choices and a life of stagnation in their forties.
Interestingly, those who were considered top students during university and had excellent communication skills rarely made it to the top tier; instead, it was often the less noticeable classmates (such as those who were quiet) who achieved success.
2. The Midlife Crisis for "Screwnuts" in Large Companies: Why Do They Become More Passive?
Many 985 graduates felt incredibly happy when they started working in large companies, but problems arose after a few years:
- Rapid Technological Change: Skills acquired over a lifetime are often surpassed by those learned in just three months (new technologies replace old ones), and young employees are cheaper to hire.
- Being Reduced to "Screws": Large companies intentionally treat employees as interchangeable parts; you become specialized in one task, and your value diminishes once you leave the company. For example, someone who worked at Baidu for ten years may not be able to find another job because they only know Baidu's processes.
- Misaligned Salaries: High salaries in large companies are due to monopolistic advantages (large scale, market dominance), but these benefits disappear when you leave. For instance, a company might offer 20,000 yuan in salary, but the actual cost of employing that employee is 35,000 yuan; in most other industries, the cost per position is much lower, making it difficult to earn similar salaries elsewhere.
3. Career Directions at Age 35: From "Competitive Large Companies" to "Stable Institutions"
In 2010, few graduates chose to work for government agencies or state-owned enterprises, but now a significant proportion of those around forty years old do so:
- Reasons: Those who haven't become managers or technical experts by age 35 realize they risk getting laid off and opt for stability (civil service, state-owned companies, research institutes). They may seek job opportunities through talent programs or civil service exams, accepting lower salaries in exchange for security.
- Reality: Young and middle-aged employees face different workplace rules: Middle-aged workers earn more because their skills carry higher risks, and companies often try to replace them. Therefore, age 35 is a critical turning point—either advance to management/expert positions, switch to stable jobs, or become freelancers.
4. Small Businesses vs. Working for Prestigious Universities: The Underestimated "Local Business" and the Overrated "Respectable Jobs"
The author argues that society underestimates the potential of small businesses and overestimates the value of working for prestigious universities:
- Advantages of Small Businesses: They may seem low-risk (selling vegetables, running a restaurant, providing training), but their income potential is high. For example, a fish seller can earn tens of thousands in peak seasons, or a small business owner can make millions a year. Although earnings are volatile, there is the possibility of sudden wealth.
- Limitations of Working for Prestigious Universities: If you don't start your own business, the lower limit (getting a job) is high, but the upper limit is low (most graduates earn around 20,000 yuan per month, often burdened by mortgages).
- Misconceptions: Many think that connections can help with entrepreneurship, but in reality, only a few reliable contacts can offer practical support (e.g., former colleagues for manual tasks); investing or joining partnerships is often risky.
5. Luck and Living a Balanced Life: What's More Important than Money?
The article concludes by highlighting:
- The Truth About Luck: Successful people attribute 90% of their success to luck, but this comes with effort and experimentation; the lazy never succeed.
- A Balanced Life: For example, an author's classmate who works at a hydroelectric station plays games daily, has no debts, and has saved money—becoming someone everyone envies because he lives happily in his own way. In contrast, many others struggle for years and still owe money, living in anxiety.
In conclusion, money is not the only thing that matters; inner peace and balance are far more important.
This article uses personal stories to debunk the myth that attending a prestigious university guarantees success, emphasizing that choice is more crucial than hard work, luck is uncontrollable, and true happiness may lie in living without anxiety.