In 2000, 47,000 college students graduated in Shanghai. These included 27,000 baccalaureates, 6,500 postgraduates and 12,800 training school students. Seventy-nine percent of them signed job agreements with employers, including 95 percent of postgraduates, 85 percent of the baccalaureates and 59 percent of the training school students. The graduates of well-known universities got better jobs than the previous year, and more than 90 percent benefited from their universities' reputation,according to the latest issue of Beijing Review.

The hiring situation of graduates in 2000 revealed new trends£º

More students decided to continue to study in postgraduate programs or in foreign countries.Thirty-three to 50 percent of graduates from well-known universities took the postgraduate enrollment examination. In the end, at least 20 percent of the graduates got in.

Some of those who failed this year began to prepare for the next examination. Half of the training school graduates devoted themselves to preparing for the entrance examination for universities. Most of them gave up job opportunities for this.

Studying abroad once more is popular. In Shanghai, 5 percent of graduates from famous universities decided to study abroad or were preparing for it.

One hundred and sixty-two graduates from Fudan University and nearly 90 from Shanghai Jiaotong University have gone studying abroad after graduation. From each of the ordinary universities, 10 graduates intended to continue to study in foreign countries. More postgraduates applied to work or study abroad, especially those in the famous universities. The number of Shanghai graduates who will study abroad is expected to rise to 2,000, including 120 students from Fudan University and nearly 80 students from Shanghai Jiaotong University.

Some students started their own companies. This year, graduates began to focus on founding their own companies. Postgraduate degree-holders from Fudan University and Shanghai Jiaotong University, in particular, desired to found their own companies. About 50 students launched their own companies and 30 already made their own business plans. Many other students look forward to having their own companies.

More students joined non-public enterprises on their own initiative. The number of students who joined non-public enterprises on their own initiative increased greatly. According to statistics, about eight percent of students chose non-public enterprises. In recent years, graduates didn't care whether their workplace was State-owned or non-public, but focused on working conditions, salaries and welfare. Since more non-public firms are devoted to the IT industry, postgraduates are also flowing to these enterprises.