At the 2021 commencement of Wuhan University, a top-notch university in China, graduates are encouraged to stay in Wuhan after graduation. [Photo/Wechat account of Optics Valley of China] 

This summer, 154 fresh graduates were employed at the headquarters of Xiaomi Corporation in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province. Among them, Zhao Yuan, a master's degree holder from Jiangsu province, and Tang Hao, a doctoral degree holder from Wuhan, were assigned as a software development engineer and an algorithm engineer, respectively, at the company. 

Wuhan's resilient development, and rapid growth make it attractive to the high-level talent. According to the College Graduates Employment Big Data Analysis Report on the First Half of 2021 released on Aug 20, 65.12 percent of graduates choose to stay in Wuhan for employment or further studies. 

Since 2017, Wuhan has been enjoyed a high talent net inflow rate every year, including a larger proportion of non-Wuhan-based graduates. 

The inflow of 2.85 million talents  has dramatically changed the city's population structure. For example, in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC), more than 80 percent of employees have received higher education. 

Although Wuhan is not the largest city in Central China, its per capita GDP ranks first in the middle and western parts of the nation. But what exactly it is that motivates graduates to work and stay in the city? 

Pillar industries' key role in absorbing employment 

Zhou Ying, a worker in charge of the talent recruitment work of TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co, said she has been busy the whole summer, "I don't get a break all week, as I'm holding campus recruitment fairs, taking part in job interviews, signing work contracts, and granting offers to job candidates," she said.

In recent years, the optoelectronics, integrated circuit, semi-conductor display, smart mobile device, new information technology, internet, and healthcare industries in the Optics Valley have thrived, with leading companies establishing their headquarters in Wuhan. Corporate champions such as Huawei and TCL have also exerted powerful influences on graduates' stay.