How should I choose? Recent graduates
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I am a graduate this year with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Technology. It started last November; I joined a fairly strong company (a listed enterprise) and signed an employment contract for 3 years. It’s not a chemical industry company, and my role is in the company’s technology center where I work on research and development. Although there is a supervisor, it seems like they aren’t very helpful, and I can’t gain any real knowledge from them. Every day is boring; the manager doesn’t assign any tasks, they just tell you to work on this product and then ignore you. I completely found the information on my own. Prepare the experiment by yourself. After completing a round of tests, write a summary for the manager to review; the manager doesn’t provide any feedback either and allows me to proceed as I see fit. I thought the products I made weren’t good, but since they said they were fine, I used them in production. The company has no performance evaluation system; people get paid the same whether they produce something or not (the salary is relatively low). One might not even dare to do anything; even things like running a company or playing games online are off the table. The salary remains the same, with only a slight increase in benefits; it’s almost impossible to get promoted due to the strong local protectionism in the company. 80% of the company’s employees are locals. 95% of the leaders are locals (from the same town). I personally don’t like the work here either, as it’s quite far from my field of specialization. There is very little knowledge of chemical engineering. The only advantage here is that the work is extremely easy, and you still get paid. Nor will I be laid off. It’s a good refuge from the financial crisis. The colleagues in my department also graduated last year, majoring in forestry. I heard them say that there’s no future here; everyone wants to work hard, but no matter how much we work, it won’t be recognized by others. So over the past few years, batch after batch of people have passed through here, and I don’t even know which batch I’m in. So, I thought about changing jobs and leaving. Later, I found a company that deals in chemical leather; the company offered good benefits and opportunities for career development, but my role there was as a production process engineer in the workshop. I personally prefer it in production. The main downside is that working with leather is quite toxic; if the trial period of 3 months is successful and a health check shows no issues, then one can continue working, but if the check fails, they have to leave. I have already signed an employment agreement with this leather chemicals company, and I plan to start working there after graduating in July. I earnestly ask for the guidance of those with more experience in the chemical industry: is my choice correct? Could you also share your advice on the path our newly graduated college students should take in the future?
If it were me, I would choose a listed company, because I seek stability and comfort.
In a similar situation to mine, but I don’t have the courage to change jobs :L
Don’t doubt your decision in any way. Since you have already made the choice, your only option is to move forward. Believe in yourself.
I just graduated, and if I want to go on like this, what prospects do I have in the future? You have to think about the future.
I’ve only graduated for 1 year as well. Working at foreign companies these days is exhausting; I really want to work for a state-owned enterprise!
One must be responsible for the life and work of one’s future family. Do what you think is responsible and move forward with strength. One shouldn’t worry about too many things. To borrow the words of a famous person, life is a process of continuous accumulation over time; a single event will by no means ruin a person’s entire life. What we deserve will eventually be ours ； It belongs to something we don’t deserve, and even if we manage to obtain it by chance, it won’t last long. If we recognize this fact, many so-called major life decisions can be taken with ease, without any need for anxiety. And the so-called life challenges often become unimportant in the moment.
It depends on your own aspirations and interests. However, you mentioned that switching to that company could be harmful to your health, and that factor also needs to be taken into consideration. This is a difficult choice, and it is only oneself who can make the decision. I think one should listen to their own inner voice, so as not to regret it in the future. Experience speaks.
As soon as one enters society, one should protect their sharp edges and corners, avoiding letting them get smoothed over; they need to be kept hidden. If you stand at a higher position before taking it out, you will have an advantage over others.