The majority of college students and recent graduates see themselves as below average, with 70 percent believing themselves to be in the lower classes in comparison with others living in the same city, a recent survey shows.

The survey published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences this month polled more than 2,000 students and graduates from 12 universities throughout the country. The results show that many respondents born in the 1980s and 1990s are not satisfied with themselves and are not happy with their current employment status, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported Monday.

Although about 76 percent of graduates from 2012 who hold bachelor's degrees landed jobs out of college, current students are not so optimistic, with only 30 percent of those still in school reporting that they expect to become gainfully employed after graduation.

It's normal for recent graduates to switch jobs once they enter the market. Among graduates from 2011, more than 60 percent have changed jobs.

Respondents reporting overall happiness were scarce, with 2.4 percent of current students saying they are satisfied with their current situation and 1.6 percent of recent graduates reporting satisfaction. 

Furthermore, those who own their own homes report higher levels of satisfaction than those who do not. More than 67 percent of graduates who have been working for three years do not own their own home, and nearly 50 percent who have been working for five years are not homeowners.

The survey also shows that students and graduates place a high value on their personal security and private property.

Nearly 64 percent of students and about 70 percent of graduates agree that private property is more important to them than State-owned and collective properties.

In the relationship between the State and individuals, 48.6 percent of respondents said they did not think that sacrificing one's interests to benefit the State and its organizations was an outdated notion. About 40 percent found it to be outdated.

Generally speaking, college students and graduates have a strong interest in discussing and participating in political affairs. About 63 percent of students and 61 percent of graduates think they are capable of participating in decision-making related to public affairs. About 67 percent of students and 65 percent of graduates said they are qualified to comment on government behaviors.

Global Times