And it seems that British university leavers are not the only ones hoping to find their first job in a capital city.
According to a survey conducted by popular social networking site renren.com, around 23% of Chinese university students poised to graduate next year want to work in Beijing.
However, the majority (30.6%) would prefer to find work in their hometowns.
Song Bao'an, a professor at the Department of Labour and Social Security at Jilin University, explained that many choose to follow this path because they are the only child in the family.
“The group has a feeling of insecurity and they want support and help from families and relatives. An unstable life in an unfamiliar city could add to the feeling of insecurity,” Song said.
The report also unveiled worrying news that a fifth of next year’s graduates in China are willing to accept a monthly salary below 2,000 yuan – which is equivalent to £198.
Around 21% of university leavers would agree to a salary below 2,000 yuan, which would see them earning just £2,376 a year.
Around 54% of respondents – which included undergraduates, master students and PhD students – would accept a monthly salary of between 2,000 and 4,000 yuan (£198-£397).
Mao Zichen, 23, who majored in broadcasting and hosting at Liaoning Finance and Trade College, said: “For salary, 2,000 yuan [£198] per month is my bottom line. To find a job with a chance of promotion is more important than the salary.”
Over 80% of surveyed students anticipated earning around 6,000 yuan per month in their first job – but many have had to lower their expectations.
The survey was published on Saturday (13 October) in the China Daily, and further proves the severity of the crisis afflicting the global graduate jobs market.
With jobs for graduates becoming increasingly scarce, would you accept a position that offered a salary far lower than your expectations?