Challenges and Retention Strategies for University Graduates in the Western China Volunteer Service Program: Empirical Evidence from a Five-Year Sichuan Cohort

Abstract

The Western China Volunteer Service Program is, in essence, a dual-purpose policy tool: it directs human resources while simultaneously promoting regional development. In practice, it aligns with broader national agendas—rural revitalization, coordinated regional growth, and even technological innovation and border stability—by channelling recent graduates into western regions. Our analysis draws on a five-year panel dataset (2019–2024) collected from volunteers affiliated with Sichuan University of Science and Engineering. Specifically, we looked at four interconnected dimensions: why graduates chose to enrol, what they expected to gain from the experience, how they envisioned their subsequent careers, and what practical hurdles they actually faced during service. One recurring pattern we observed was a notable gap between pre-service ideals and on-the-ground realities. To address this misalignment, we propose a regionally adapted talent management framework—one centred not simply on recruitment, but on long-term retention and meaningful career development. We hope these findings will offer useful reference points for policymakers, particularly as graduate employment pressures mount and the western region's talent pool requires more sustainable support over time.