Guan Luofei has worked in rural areas of east China's Anhui Province for almost three years since graduating from college. He is now at a crossroads -- should he go back to the city to look for a job or continue his career in rural Anhui?

Guan graduated from Anhui Communications Vocational and Technical College in 2008, when the urban employment situation for graduates was grave and the Chinese government was encouraging graduates to work for grassroots organizations in rural areas.

After graduating, Guan began work in Mulan Village, Feixi County, as an assistant to the head of the village. The term of employment was three years.

Without his parents and the urban life to which he was accustomed, Guan initially felt lonely. But he soon got used to rural life and began to build his own social network in the village.

"I came here hoping to serve the locals. Over the past two years, I have forged friendship with many villagers my age. I have also learnt much that one could never read in a textbook," he said.

China launched its nationwide campaign to encourage university graduates to work in grassroots organizations in rural areas in 2008.

Currently, there are 200,000 university and college graduates, just like Guan, working in the rural areas.

As the term of Guan's employment contract approached, he needed to make a decision for his future.

He had several choices -- going back to the city to take the national civil servant recruitment examination, finding other city-based employment or returning to university for further studies.

The Ministry of Education said in July 2010 that China has about 1.76 million jobless graduates, about 27.8 percent of those who graduated in the previous month, June 2010.

Guan eventually decided to stay in the countryside. He launched an ecological agriculture company in the village with 13 peers who were also working in rural areas after graduating from universities.

"After working in the countryside for over two years, I realize there is great career potential in rural areas," said Guan.

"I got familiar with the local surroundings and now have a deep understanding of agriculture. I am confident about our company's prospects," he added.

Guan and his peers grow asparagus lettuce and garlic on a 105 mu (about seven acres) patch of land.

The year 2011 is a new start, Guan said. "We share a common goal -- to create our own brand of vegetables and to help local farmers get richer."

"For me, choosing to stay in countryside meant a new lifestyle. I do lots of things everyday. Though sometimes they are difficult, I am satisfied."