Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and realities faced by graduates of e-commerce programs in China, highlighting the disparity between the perceived opportunities in the industry and the actual job market conditions [4][6][21]. Group 1: E-commerce Education Landscape - E-commerce has become a popular field of study, with over 600 universities offering related programs, indicating a promising outlook for the industry [5][15]. - The initial enthusiasm for e-commerce programs has waned, with many graduates struggling to find relevant jobs, leading to a significant drop in the number of new programs being established [11][15]. - In 2004, the employment rate for e-commerce graduates was reported to be as low as 20%, reflecting the difficulties in securing relevant positions [13][14]. Group 2: Job Market and Employment Challenges - Despite a high demand for e-commerce positions, with projections of 1.627 million job openings by 2025, graduates still face significant challenges in finding suitable roles [21][28]. - Many graduates report that the most accessible positions are low-paying customer service roles, leading to feelings of frustration and inadequacy [22][32]. - The e-commerce industry places a strong emphasis on practical experience, which many graduates lack, resulting in a gap between education and job readiness [24][39]. Group 3: Work Conditions in E-commerce - E-commerce jobs are characterized by high workloads and long hours, with many employees experiencing burnout due to the demanding nature of the work [29][31]. - The average salary for e-commerce specialists is low, with nearly 70% of employees earning less than 10,000 yuan per month, and some even earning below 5,000 yuan [32][33]. - Many employees find themselves performing multiple roles within the industry, leading to a sense of being overworked and underappreciated [30][31]. Group 4: Career Transition and Future Prospects - A significant number of e-commerce professionals are considering career changes due to the challenging work environment and limited growth opportunities [34][36]. - Those with skills in video production and design find it easier to transition to related fields, while others may struggle to find relevant opportunities outside of e-commerce [36][37]. - The perception that a degree in e-commerce is essential for success in the industry is challenged, as practical skills and adaptability are often more valuable [39].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and realities faced by graduates of e-commerce programs in China, highlighting the disparity between the perceived opportunities in the industry and the actual job market conditions [4][5][12]. Group 1: E-commerce Education and Job Market - E-commerce has become a popular field of study, with over 600 universities offering related programs, indicating a promising outlook [4][8]. - Despite the initial enthusiasm, many graduates face difficulties in finding relevant jobs, leading to a decline in the number of new e-commerce programs being established [9][12]. - In 2004, the employment rate for e-commerce graduates was reported to be only 20%, reflecting the challenges in securing jobs in the field [12][13]. Group 2: Industry Demand and Graduate Experiences - From 2014 to 2022, the number of people employed in e-commerce grew to nearly 70 million, increasing the demand for e-commerce professionals [15]. - Despite the high number of job openings in the e-commerce sector, many graduates report difficulties in finding suitable positions, often ending up in unrelated fields [20][21]. - A significant portion of e-commerce job postings (38.3%) do not require a specific educational background, making it easier for individuals to enter the industry, albeit with low pay and high demands [28][29]. Group 3: Work Conditions and Career Progression - E-commerce jobs are characterized by long hours and high workloads, with many employees feeling overburdened by their responsibilities [30][32]. - The average salary for e-commerce specialists is relatively low, with nearly 70% of employees with over four years of experience earning less than 10,000 yuan per month [35]. - Many e-commerce workers consider transitioning to other fields due to the demanding nature of their jobs and the lack of growth opportunities [37][39].