# Expat Recession-Beaters U.S. Grads Head to China to Jump-Start Their Careers By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-08-15 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/u.s.-grads-china References: [nytimes](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/business/economy/11expats.html?_r=1) According to the [New York Times](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/linkedin-games), some U.S. grads are beating the recession by [taking jobs in China](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-silk-road). In some states, like California, where 11.6% unemployed, heading abroad is the only solid option that emerges from a cloud of uncertainty. The New York Times also reports that China's GDP rose 7.9% last quarter over the same period in 2008. Coupled with an urban unemployment rate of 4.3%, it's no wonder more and more U.S. grads are heading to China to take their chances. Check out the full NYT article below. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Youth](https://www.trendhunter.com/youth) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **U.S. Grads in China:** Opportunity for American graduates to find employment and gain international experience in China during times of economic recession. - **Job Migration:** Increasing number of U.S. graduates relocating to countries like China to find employment opportunities and escape high unemployment rates at home. - **Global Career Flexibility:** Rise in mobility and willingness of American graduates to adapt and work in different countries, such as China, to enhance their career prospects. ### Who This Affects Most - **Education:** Opportunities for educational institutions and agencies to develop programs that prepare American graduates for international job markets, particularly in China. - **International Business:** Growth potential for companies specializing in relocating and assisting American graduates in finding job opportunities and navigating the business landscape in China. - **Global Recruitment:** Emerging market for recruitment agencies targeting American graduates seeking employment in China, providing services such as job placement and cultural integration support. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Connective Student Grad Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/devgrads.md) - [International Student Employment Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jump-start-program.md) - [Young Leaders-Focused Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-campus.md) - [Graduate-Inspired Dining Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/class-of-2024.md) - [New Year-Inspired Travel Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-new-year-2025-trends.md) - [Futureproofing Edtech Startups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edtech-startup.md) - [Layoff-Tracking Job Connectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/layoff-tracker.md) - [Pizza Box Resumes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reszames.md) - [Streamlined Start-Up Job Searching](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/startup-jobs-by-binh-pham.md)