More Young People Spending Weekends Preparing for PhDs, Civil Service Exams, and Certifications
Motivation & Perspective
> "If life right now is a 1, pursuing a PhD might only give you another 1 — maybe 1+1, maybe still 1. But you’ll have felt it, experienced it, and have no regrets. Studying might bring short-term regret; not studying might mean lifelong regret."
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From Corporate Success to Graduate Studies
Liao Jie’s Decision
After 7–8 years in Beijing’s corporate world, rising from a small firm to a large enterprise, Liao Jie chose to start a part-time MPA (Master of Public Administration) at a “211” university.
- Tuition: Over ¥80,000
- Class schedule: Every weekend
Xiao Ji’s Path
Similarly, Xiao Ji from Hangzhou dedicated most weekends to:
- IELTS prep: 6 months, ¥10,000+
- Professional training program: 2 days, ¥5,000
> “My weekends are nearly all training or classes — otherwise it’s hard to feel any reward after long work weeks,” said Xiao Ji.
Growing Weekend Hustle
More professionals are “squeezing” weekends, turning rest into professional development time — filling schedules with classes, certifications, and skill upgrades.
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The Rise of the “Learning Buff”
Civil Service Exam Boom
The recent weekend hosted the 2026 National Civil Service Exam:
- Candidates up 1.12 million in 3 years
- Age limit expanded:
- Ordinary candidates: 35 → 38 years
- Fresh master’s/PhDs: up to 43 years
> Source: Central Authorities and Direct Institutions
Profile:
- 30% working professionals
- Learners include single mothers (40s) and married fathers balancing work and study.
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Doctorate Popularity
In 2024, China’s PhD student population hit ~680,000 — more than doubled in a decade.
Example: Shanghai Jiao Tong University plans 5,000 PhDs in 2026 — exceeding undergrad intake; 46% part-time/executive; tuition for some > ¥780,000.
> Source: Shanghai Jiao Tong Grad Admissions
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Feiyang’s Story
- 37 years old, public institution employee
- 6th-year working PhD student in Beijing
- Colleagues: majority pursuing doctorates; all have at least master’s degrees
> “Work during office hours only — after-hours entirely for study. No weekends, holidays, leisure.”
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Certificates, Skills, and Short Courses
> Source: Xiaohongshu
Markets:
- IELTS market worth USD 380M
- Exam fee: ¥1,990 — among highest worldwide
Vocational growth:
- 2025 China Skills Training Industry Insights Report:
- 2020: ¥200B
- 2025 forecast: ¥1T+
- 2029 forecast: ¥2T+
- CAGR: 19%
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Leisure Learning: Skills for Joy
Ay in Hangzhou attends:
- Go class: 30 people
- Tea Art: 10 people
> “Fun, basic skills — hard to get a spot.”
Cultural Learning Data
- Zhejiang Cultural Center: 128 courses, 18,700+ signups
- Beauty course: 38:1 admission ratio
- Shanghai Citizen Art Night School: 950,000 online applicants for 2,300 courses; ¥500 fee
Beauty vocational skills training course
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What “Learning Enthusiasts” Gain
1. Future-focused, Career Moves
Feiyang: “For management in public institutions, a PhD is almost mandatory.”
Civil service age-relaxation opens new opportunities — some quitting jobs to prepare.
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2. Flexibility & Options
Courses break routine and expand employment prospects.
2025 Resignation and Salary Adjustment Survey:
- Resignation rate 2024: 15.3% (down 2.6%)
- Salary freeze rate: 55.2% (up 13.9%)
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3. Spiritual Fulfillment
Ay and Feiyang value mental enrichment:
- Sense of order, inner peace
- Escaping daily trivialities
- “Progress every day, less self-doubt”
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Rest Is Also Productive
Work-Leisure Data
- China 2024 weekly avg work hours: 49 hrs (+3.3 since 2019)
- OECD avg: 33.4 hrs
- China avg leisure/day: 3.5 hrs (vs Europe’s 5+, US 4.7, Japan 4.6)
Economic impact:
- Household consumption ~<40% of GDP (vs 50–70% in developed economies)
- Cultural/entertainment spending: 1–2% (vs 9% in developed economies)
Mobile Photography Training Course
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Employment & Consumption Links
Industrial Securities:
- Consumption → 61.4% employment in China
- Accommodation & catering: 9%
- Wholesale & retail: 40%
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Still in the Rat Race
Degree Landscape
- Grad students in China: <10% of student population (vs 30–40% in developed countries)
- PhDs: <0.1% of population (vs 0.5–1% developed)
Recruitment trends:
- SOEs/gov/public institutions increasingly require advanced degrees
- Remote areas dropping bachelor’s eligibility altogether
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Market Challenges
MBA enrollment falling due to high tuition vs perceived value. MPA programs more stable.
Civil service competition tightening:
- 2026: 1,602 fewer positions
- Applicant-hire ratio: 98:1 (up from 86:1)
University job fair consulting scene.
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Technology-Driven Productivity
Platforms like AiToEarn官网 offer:
- AI-driven content generation
- Cross-platform publishing (Douyin, Kwai, WeChat, Bilibili, Rednote, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, X)
- Analytics & AI model ranking
Helping professionals and creators optimize efficiency in competitive environments.
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Closing Reflection
Even with proactive strategies, shifting conditions can force passivity. Busy weekends — filled with study, exams, or side skills — are a microcosm of the larger competition spiral.
In this climate, tools that connect creation, distribution, and analytics help keep individuals adaptive and effective — whether for career, personal enrichment, or both.
