The changing career choice of graduate students in Urban and Rural Planning in the past decade and the implications for planning education reform: the case of Tongji University

Abstract Promoting high-quality graduate employment is central to China’s socioeconomic development. Western countries have recently pioneered planning education reforms, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptive skills, and holistic competencies. This study integrates global insights into planning education with China’s contextual realities, analyzing employment data from recent urban and rural planning graduates from Tongji University. By examining changes in employment sectors, educational trends, and career trajectories, this research describes the evolving characteristics and drivers of graduate career choices and their implications for planning education reform. Preliminary findings reveal a diversity of career pathways and increasing emphasis on individualized aspirations. Aligning educational outcomes with labor market requirements and fostering high-caliber professionals requires curriculum modernization, specialized training frameworks, and greater integration of academic and industry expertise.