Analysis of Career Development Paths for Contract Employees in Universities

Against the backdrop of accelerated connotative development in higher education and the profound reform of personnel systems in Chinese universities, the labor contract employment model has emerged as a key institutional mechanism for institutions to optimize human resource allocation and alleviate shortages in staffing. It plays an indispensable role in sustaining the orderly progress of teaching and research, and ensuring the efficient operation of university campuses. Currently, contract employees in universities generally grapple with significant challenges, including narrow promotion channels, subpar salary and welfare benefits, inadequate training resources, and a weak sense of professional identity. These challenges not only hinder the fulfillment of employees’ personal career goals but also threaten the stability of university human resources and impede improvements in overall institutional efficiency. Grounded in the practicalities of university personnel management, this paper systematically analyzes the dilemmas and root causes confronting contract employees, explores scientific, feasible, and institution-specific development pathways, and offers theoretical insights and practical references for universities to refine their personnel management systems and foster the coordinated development of employees and the institution.