While most Chinese college graduates are busy settling into new jobs, some have decided to delay the working world for now and wait out a tough job-hunting season.

Li Yu from Anhui Agricultural University is among 7.49 million new Chinese college graduates this year — a record high. Instead of looking for jobs, he spent the summer studying at several agricultural zones in east China's Anhui Province.

"I want to spend some time gaining experience in farm management," he said.

"It will help me start my own farm and allow me to run it better in the future."

This year's job-hunting season saw 220,000 more graduates hit the market than in 2014, and slowing economic growth has meant diminished recruitment of new grads by companies.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate of college graduates stood at 7.74 percent, well above the average. Some college students, like Li, have chosen to remain jobless after graduation to pursue travel, startups, or volunteering instead.

"Whatever we choose to do, most of us are looking for what's best for us," Li said. "As long as what we are doing now is beneficial to our future, it is a smarter choice than getting hired upon graduation."

Wang Man, 25, who graduated last year, agrees with Li. She rejected a secretary position with a company in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province, and has been traveling since then.

"I don't like monotonous work," she said. "To be frank, I haven't decided what to do yet. It won't do me any good to define my career hastily."

Supporters applaud these young people for throwing off outdated thinking and advocating a fresh attitude toward employment.

"Perhaps if you slow things down a bit and look around the world, you can map out your future more precisely," said Du Mengjie, 26, founder and CEO of Chinese crowd-funding website Dreammore.

However, some critics disapprove of this trend toward "NEETs" — adults "not in employment, education or training" who live off their parents.

"Changing employment attitudes are no excuse for time-wasting and sidestepping," said sociologist Fan Hesheng.

Xia Shanjing, 25, from Xi'an, capital of northwest Shaanxi Province, has decided to end her year of joblessness. She's preparing for the civil servant recruitment exam.

"I feel disconnected from society if I don't work," she said.

Experts noted that if resume gaps are too long, the confidence and competitiveness of young job-seekers might be bruised. "It would be better to set yourself a deadline," said Tian Yipeng, vice dean of School of Philosophy and Society at Jilin University. "When it takes longer than you expected, it's time for you to get a job first and come down to earth."

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