Over-education and Job Satisfaction among New Graduates in China: A Gender Perspective

In this study, we used 2020 data from the Panel Study of Chinese University Students to explore the impact of over-education on new graduates’ job satisfaction from a gender perspective. The results indicate that first, female graduates are more likely to be over-educated from an objective standpoint, while male graduates are more likely to think subjectively that they are over-educated. Second, over-educated female graduates have higher levels of job satisfaction than not over-educated ones, but this correlation is not significant for male graduates. Third, subjective awareness of over-education reduces levels of job satisfaction for both female and male graduates. Our research shows that gender segregation remains in the current employment structure in China. Female graduates are more likely than male graduates to enter traditional industries with low requirements and are objectively more likely to be over-educated, and thus they are more competent and have higher satisfaction in their jobs.