Linguistics is naturally not as good as applied linguistics, but Chinese contemporary literature is worse than applied linguistics. Linguistics focuses on the study of language, while applied linguistics focuses on the practical application of language. Contemporary Chinese literature studies the application of language in contemporary China, that is, novels, poems, essays, and dramas, which are closer to social life. So in terms of employment, the best prospect is of course to study contemporary Chinese literature.
Dalian’s employment situation is generally good, better than other cities.
Graduate students majoring in linguistics and applied linguistics are mainly engaged in education and teaching in Dalian; the salary of graduate students who have just started working is between 2,000-4,000 yuan.
Master’s students majoring in linguistics and applied linguistics at Dalian University of Technology are relatively easy to find jobs in Dalian. The employment situation across the country, especially in large cities in the east, is not optimistic, but the situation in the central and western regions is promising.
It is difficult for master’s degree students majoring in modern and contemporary Chinese literature to find employment in Chongqing because the overall employment situation in Chongqing is not good. Chongqing is a municipality with abundant talents, and it is difficult to absorb local talents. Besides, there are many master's degrees in modern and contemporary Chinese literature everywhere. Therefore, the overall employment situation in Chongqing is not optimistic, and it is even more difficult for master's degree students majoring in modern and contemporary Chinese literature to find employment in Chongqing.
In Chongqing, those with a master's degree in modern and contemporary literature are mainly engaged in education and teaching, press and publishing, radio and television, and government civil servants. The salary is not high, not as good as in Dalian.
The employment situation of Southwest University’s master’s degree program in modern and contemporary Chinese literature in Chongqing and even across the country is similar to that in Dalian.