Nowadays, college students are rushing to take civil service exams as their first choice. It's not just mindless following of trends or unnecessary troublemaking, but rather a decision driven by many realistic pressures and thoughtful considerations.

Let's first talk about the overall job market ¡ª in recent years, finding a job has become extremely difficult! With the slowing economic growth, companies have significantly reduced their hiring quotas. In the past, enterprises used to line up to recruit graduates; now, hundreds or even thousands of people are competing for a single position.Even if you manage to land an offer, you may soon realize there are many hidden pitfalls after starting the job: the 996 work schedule (working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) has become the "new normal," performance evaluations create overwhelming pressure, and the threat of layoffs is always looming. A quick browse online reveals countless stories of employees complaining about overwork-related health issues or sudden deaths, as well as being "optimized" by their companies ¡ª news that leaves everyone anxious and unsettled.

In contrast, civil service positions are seen as the "dream job" ¡ª working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with punctual dismissal, no worry about midlife unemployment, and a stable salary, though not necessarily high. The benefits are comprehensive, including housing provident fund, medical insurance, and retirement security ¡ª a true "iron rice bowl." Especially in smaller cities, being a civil servant comes with high social status. During holidays, when visiting relatives and friends, parents feel proud and respected. This sense of real security and dignity is something that few people can resist.

Let's also talk about the anxiety caused by educational overcompetition. The number of people taking the postgraduate entrance exam has been surging year by year. In 2024, the number of applicants surpassed the 5 million mark, yet the admission rate continues to drop. Many students work hard for a whole year only to end up as "also-rans."

Even those who do get admitted into graduate school still face fierce competition in the job market after graduation. In comparison, for civil service exams, some positions only require a bachelor¡¯s degree, and there are even many positions specifically reserved for fresh graduates, making the competition relatively less intense. Some college students think: instead of getting stuck in the brutal cycle of postgraduate exam preparation and job hunting, why not start preparing for civil service exams earlier and secure a stable fallback option?

Additionally, the influence of family values cannot be ignored. In the eyes of many parents, being a civil servant is seen as a "respectable job" ¡ª stable, dignified, and highly recognized by society. Many parents have been instilling the idea that "working in government is good" into their children from an early age. Some even choose "civil service-friendly" majors for their children when they enter university, such as Chinese language and literature or accounting. There are also many real-life examples around us: when a relative¡¯s child becomes a civil servant, the whole family holds a celebration banquet; while another family's child joins a private company, elders often comment that the job is "unstable." In such an environment of social opinion, it's hard for college students to remain unaffected. Even if they have their own career plans, they may still feel uncertain and eventually join the rush to take civil service exams.

Of course, there are also some college students who genuinely hope to realize their personal value through civil service exams. They aspire to work within the government system, participate in social governance, and contribute to the implementation of policies that improve people's livelihoods.Fields such as rural revitalization and grassroots governance especially need capable and passionate young people to get involved. Civil service positions offer a broad platform where individuals can combine their personal aspirations with societal development ¡ª a sense of fulfillment that is hard to achieve in ordinary jobs.

In the end, the trend of college students rushing to take civil service exams is the result of a complex mix of factors ¡ª including economic conditions, employment pressure, family expectations, and personal aspirations. Behind this wave lies young people's longing for a stable life, anxiety about an uncertain future, and the desire to achieve self-worth. To change this situation where "thousands of troops cross a single log bridge," society may need to create more high-quality job opportunities, offering young people a wider range of career choices. Only then can we reduce the over-reliance on civil service exams as the sole "lifeline" for securing a stable future.