Summary of Key Points
In the past five years, over 5,000 programs have been discontinued at national universities across the country. Once-popular majors such as foreign languages, law, and public affairs management have become difficult to recruit for, with some even seeing their final intake of students shortly after enrollment. This raises three critical questions: the reasons behind the discontinuation of these programs, the current disparities in the earnings associated with different majors, and the impact of major choices on one's life.
I. Why Have So Many Majors Been Discontinued? – Mismatch Between Supply and Demand
The fundamental reason for the discontinuation of programs is that “the market no longer needs them, yet the universities continue to offer them.” There are three main factors:
1. Shrinking Market Demand: For example, the demand for foreign language professionals has diminished due to the widespread use of AI translation tools like ChatGPT, which have reduced the need for general foreign language skills in businesses.
2. Universities Blindly Following Trends: In previous years, universities added programs that were popular at the time. For instance, almost all undergraduate institutions offered law programs, but there is a shortage of lawyers and legal professionals in the market, leading to an oversupply of graduates and the need to eliminate these less relevant majors.
3. Failing to Keep Up with Industrial Advancements: Traditional majors that do not incorporate new technologies (such as mechanical engineering or Chinese language and literature) are at risk of being phased out. For example, the demand for “traditional printing engineering” has virtually disappeared with the rise of digital media.
II. The Most and Least Profitable Majors Today – Depending on Industry Demand
Most Profitable Majors (Overall Trend):
These majors cultivate skills in fields that are in high demand by emerging industries:
- Artificial Intelligence/Big Data: Highly sought after by internet and technology companies, with starting salaries ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 RMB.
- Integrated Circuits (Chips): There is a national shortage of professionals in this field, and companies offer salaries 30% higher than those in other fields.
- New Energy: Related to the booming industries of electric vehicles and solar energy, these majors offer good job prospects and high salaries.
- Clinical Medicine (especially Surgery and Dentistry): Doctors become more valuable with experience; while starting salaries may be low, they tend to increase significantly over time.
Least Profitable Majors (Relatively Speaking):
These majors are often in industries that are either saturated or declining:
- Traditional Foreign Languages: Ordinary translation jobs are being replaced by AI, except for less common languages or high-end roles like simultaneous interpretation.
- Public Affairs Management: Graduates often end up in administrative or sales positions with lower salaries.
- Some Liberal Arts Majors: Such as history and philosophy, where initial salaries are usually below 5,000 RMB unless one pursues further education or a career in academia.
- Traditional Manufacturing: Industries with low profits result in slow salary growth for graduates.
Note: These are general trends, and individual outcomes can vary greatly. For example, a history major could earn over 10,000 RMB per month working in the new media industry, while a computer science major might struggle to find a job.
III. Can Major Choices Determine One’s Life? – The Starting Point Is Not the End Point
The answer is “no,” but major choices do affect one’s starting point:
1. Impact on Initial Employment: Majors in tech fields often lead to higher-paying jobs in the internet industry, while those in less popular fields may start with lower salaries. However, many people change careers later on.
2. Learning Ability Is Key: Industries are changing rapidly, and continuous learning is essential. For example, civil engineers from 10 years ago are now working in new energy infrastructure, and new media professionals need to use AI tools.
3. Interest Is More Important Than Popularity: Choosing a major you enjoy makes it easier to excel and persist, even if the initial salary is low.
IV. Implications for Students and Universities
For Students:
- Consider the long-term prospects of a major, not just its current popularity.
- Combine your interests and skills when making choices.
- Prepare for lifelong learning, as you will need to acquire new skills throughout your career.
For Universities:
- Avoid blindly following trends; instead, focus on your institution’s strengths and offer programs that align with industry needs.
- Update course content regularly to keep students prepared for the job market.
- Collaborate closely with businesses to understand their talent requirements and cultivate practical graduates.
In summary, the discontinuation of programs is a result of market adjustments. When choosing a major, be rational and focus on developing your skills, as it is your ability to apply those skills (or even go beyond them) that will truly define your life.