People start to ask: "Is an education even worth obtaining anymore?" At this rate, eventually an expensive and hard-earned Master's or, worse, a PhD, will have no real value in Chinese society. This will translate into lower educational standards because, after all, it won't make a difference anyway, right?

Eventually, such a shift in societal thinking will translate into less government funding and support provided to educational institutions, further lowering learning standards. Are we destined to see a society in which education is considered just a frivolous activity for the wealthy, just an elitist way of filling time with no real impact or real worth?

It's really a reflection on today's society. Little wonder that many opt to remain in school and achieve a PhD rather than jumping into the job market while things are so tough. Simply put, students are afraid to graduate. They've been told they won't get a job in their field. So, they stay in school comforting themselves that "things will get better." Maybe if they wait a few more years, the professional markets will open up again. It's a risky bet, though, and often a losing one.

Furthermore, companies are increasing their hiring level requirements because of too many applicants for entry-level positions. Coupled with those who don't lift their level requirements but are still likely to reject the overly educated applicants for being over-qualified, we have an impossible situation for new graduates in this country.

It's the typical "damned if they do, damned if they don't" scenario: Graduates are faced with the possibility of being rejected for not having a high enough degree to meet the market's increased level requirements or for being too qualified for an entry-level position.

In other countries, when marketing towards a university education left trades fields understaffed, for instance, government marketing campaigns encouraging students to choose a trades career (in electronics or plumbing or auto mechanics, for example) eventually succeeded at increasing the graduation numbers for new tradesmen and women.

In the same vein, China needs to properly and objectively consider the needs of its labor market. What are China's real labor needs? In what field will more graduates be needed in the next decade and how can China unclog the current state of the labor market for new graduates? That's the challenge.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.ccgp-fushun.com/opinion/emberswift.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.