A dormitory, eight "sisters of the same school", all successfully passing the postgraduate entrance examination... Room 620 of Building 4 in Furong Garden at Chengdu University of Technology houses eight female students from the Class of 2007 in the School of Geophysics. One of them was admitted to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, another received a recommendation to Tongji University, and the remaining six were accepted into the graduate program at Chengdu University of Technology's School of Geophysics. However, behind this inspiring story of youthful motivation lies a harsh reality: their decision to pursue postgraduate studies stemmed from repeated rejections at job fairs. Initially drawn to the "hot" field of geophysics, they overlooked an important employment factor: almost no companies hire women in this field! Determined to change their situation, pursuing postgraduate studies became their way out. What lessons can be learned from the intertwined experiences of these eight women as they navigated exams, job hunting, and postgraduate entrance examinations?
● Postgraduate Studies: No Other Choice
Cold Reality:
The entire geophysics industry does not hire women.
"When it's your turn!" Pushing open the door, the eight girls were giggling and whispering while playing the popular game "Sanguosha." Outgoing Huang Wenli, quiet and lovely Chongqing girl Tang Jing, elegant Chengdu tomboy Li Yi, intellectual beauty Fu Gehping... These are the legendary "female team" of Chengdu University of Technology known for their successful postgraduate entrance exams.
"Our senior sisters and brothers said that female graduates from the Department of Geophysics would struggle to find jobs after graduation; we didn't expect it to be true," Fu Gehping lamented when discussing her reasons for pursuing further studies. At a job fair during her junior year, she went to investigate the reality of employment opportunities. Most targeted units displayed signs reading "only boys wanted, no girls."
At one road bridge company recruitment site, Fu Gehping mustered the courage to approach with Huang Wenli. After carefully examining them, the recruiters politely declined. "Our grades are excellent, is there any chance?" Fu Gehping tried one last attempt. The recruiter smiled and shook his head: "As far as I know, the entire geophysics industry rarely hires women. In my memory, the last time we hired a woman was in the 1960s..." These words brought tears to Fu Gehping's eyes.
Helpless Future:
All Eight Girls Pursue Postgraduate Studies
What Fu Gehping and her friends couldn't understand was why their female classmates, who always ranked high academically, were less favored than some male classmates who had failed courses, even those who hadn't passed the English level four exam.
Fu Gehping mentioned that the school did take some measures to help. "For example, if a unit recruited more men, the school would negotiate to include a woman. Or sometimes, a man could 'bring along' his girlfriend into the unit." Recalling those awkward scenes, Fu Gehping, who was recommended to Tongji University for reservoir geophysics, still feels heartbroken.
However, the eight sisters did not sink into despair. They began to inquire about career paths for female university students. "Senior students suggested we pursue postgraduate studies because the platform is higher. Women can find decent jobs without going to the field, such as entering research institutions," Fu Gehping said. From then on, the eight girls secretly resolved to take the postgraduate entrance exam and embarked on their journey together.
● Collective Effort for Postgraduate Studies
Hardworking Sisters Prepare
Securing Seven Recommendation Spots
Enrolling in tutoring classes, spending hours in the library, finding review materials... After the job fair, all eight sisters joined the ranks of those preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam. "During the summer vacation of our third year, we enrolled in the school's basic mathematics class for postgraduate preparation. Throughout the summer, no matter how hot it was, we were buried in a sea of problems," Fu Gehping said.
She revealed that the most unforgettable sisterly bond during their preparation was - "fighting for seats." To secure the eight front-row seats, the eight sisters often had one person lie horizontally across the table, making other boys hesitant to approach. "It made the boys feel quite embarrassed towards us," she added.
Effort never goes unrewarded. Through hard work, in the first half of their fourth year, all eight girls were informed by the college that they qualified for postgraduate recommendations. This year, they effortlessly secured all seven recommendation spots available in the School of Geophysics. "Our average scores were over 90, while the boys' highest average was around 80. Our eight people ranked in the top ten of our major. With just a little effort, we could pass," proudly said Huang Wenli, who was recommended to Chengdu University of Technology for geophysics.
● Interview with the Girls
A Common Problem for Female Science and Engineering Students
Reporter (hereafter referred to as "Reporter"): Why did you choose this major at the time? Did you consider the limitations of the industry?
Fu Gehping (hereafter referred to as "Fu"): This major is one of the best at our school. All eight of us chose geophysics as our first preference. When choosing our majors, we didn't think about job prospects. Gender discrimination isn't limited to this field; almost all female science and engineering students face similar situations. For instance, civil engineering and environmental engineering majors also have difficulties finding jobs, and it might be even worse for them.
Reporter: Were your parents supportive when you chose this major?
Fu: When filling out our preferences, our parents were very supportive. They specifically inquired and found out that this major at our school was excellent with strong faculty.
Reporter: What will you do if you still can't find your ideal job after finishing your master's degree? Will you continue to pursue a doctorate?
Fu: After completing a master's degree, things might improve. We can work indoors doing interpretation and programming or enter research institutes. Generally, graduate students in our major can find good jobs since women are indispensable. Also, after following a mentor, they usually help introduce job opportunities. If I still can't find a job after graduation, I'll switch directions and try something else. I'm not too interested in pursuing a Ph.D.; it seems too distant.
Reporter: Have you considered becoming a leftover woman after finishing your master's degree?
Fu: Six of us already have boyfriends, and two of our sisters are "almost engaged." Women in our major are scarce, so we don't have to worry about being left over.
● Exclusive Interview with the Dean
Narrower Job Opportunities for Female Science and Engineering Students
"Eight girls all getting into graduate school has set a new record for the entire school; there may be no precedent in Sichuan Province," said Dean Wang Xuben of the School of Geophysics proudly. He believed this was due to the school's excellent academic atmosphere.
He admitted, however, that the job market for female science and engineering students is indeed narrower compared to men. The geophysics profession requires more fieldwork, often involving living in tents and climbing mountains, which is why employers tend to prefer hiring men. He expressed that the school takes this issue seriously, actively helping female students find solutions and proactively recommending them to employers. Besides fieldwork, women can also choose to work in research institutions or stay in academia.
"Our geophysics major has a 100% employment rate. This year, the school plans to enroll 300 undergraduates," said Dean Wang.
● Reporter's Notes
The Harsh Reality Behind Postgraduate Studies
A popular major and an excellent transcript, yet rejected by several potential employers solely due to gender. For these eight diligent and ambitious girls, this was undoubtedly a wake-up call that pushed them to choose postgraduate studies and ultimately achieve their dreams.
In the face of this news topic, the reporter felt a sense of heaviness during interviews. This is not an isolated case. According to a survey from Xiamen University, under the same conditions, female graduates have only 87.7% of the job opportunities available to male graduates, and their first-time employment rate is 8.7 percentage points lower.
These eight girls, when filling out their college preferences, were mostly driven by passion and aspiration for this major. Neither they nor their parents likely anticipated that after four years of university, they would face employment challenges due to gender. Fortunately, "When God closes a door, he opens a window." Under the encouragement and guidance of the school and teachers, and through their own efforts, they achieved a satisfying conclusion to their four years of university life through postgraduate studies.
With only twenty days left until the college entrance examination, countless students are about to step through the gates of university. Perhaps, the stories of these eight girls can offer some insights to parents and children alike.
Chengdu Evening News reporter Du Can, photography by Xie Hui
● Related Links
On April 15th last year, China News Service reported that according to the survey results of the "Red Book of Values Survey of Female College Students in Guangzhou," many female students expressed anxiety about the future, with only 32.3% feeling optimistic. However, the survey also showed that a relatively high proportion of female students planned to pursue postgraduate studies, with one-third indicating an intention to do so.
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