Returning to One's Hometown for Employment: A New Option for "Homecoming" Students

With the increasing number of graduates year after year, the difficulties of working and living in first-tier cities are also on the rise. Returning to one's hometown for employment has emerged as an alternative option for graduates. By examining the characteristics of this trend, this paper analyzes the factors influencing graduates' decisions to return home for work, including local sentiment, hometown return policies, and levels of development. Furthermore, it provides insights into choosing a university location based on employment opportunities and pressures, quality of life and cost of living, as well as the sense of regional belonging.