In recent years, higher education has been considered a fundamental requirement for economic stability. However, as more and more people have access to college and even graduate degrees, the job market has become saturated, a phenomenon now known as “education saturation”. This has led to a discussion about whether higher education translates to higher salaries for university graduates in today’s society. This study, drawing on literature and data analysis, celebrity interviews, and government labor data, explores the evolving relationship between higher education and income in today’s society. The results indicate that while higher education is essential for future employment, the salary differentials between different degrees have remained relatively stable. The impact of professional fields and job market demands on income is gradually increasing. The findings conclude that higher education no longer guarantees higher salaries, highlighting the need to consider the return on investment of higher education. The study highlights the increasing importance of practical skills and professional adaptability for career success in a changing economy.

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With the growing salience of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG), how banks can bolster financial performance through improved corporate governance has become a critical research agenda. This study investigates the marginal effect of corporate governance on banks' financial outcomes by centering on the nexus between ESG's governance (G) score and the return on total assets (ROA). It further explores the transmission mechanism through which governance investments shape bank performance and how these effects differ across bank types. Employing descriptive analysis, a panel regression model (two-way fixed effects), and a machine learning approach (random forest regression with five-fold cross-validation), the study analyzes data from multiple listed Chinese banks from 2009 to 2024. The findings reveal a significantly positive association between the G score and ROA, and a significantly negative association between the G score and the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio. An additional 10,000 yuan of governance investment per 10,000 yuan of assets leads to a 0.0002-percentage-point increase in ROA, with significant cross-institutional heterogeneity. State-owned banks exhibit stronger performance responses to governance improvements. The results underscore the imperative of constructing a system for evaluating the marginal benefits of governance investment and to monitoring its effectiveness dynamically in order to achieve more efficient resource allocation.

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As stock market data becomes more transparent and accessible to the public, along with the application of advanced financial technologies, the demand for accurate financial market forecasts is rising. This growing need is essential for developing effective investment strategies. There are many econometric models applied to financial time series data forecasts, each based on its unique assumptions and subjected to different situations. This paper discusses the ARIMA model in econometrics for time series data forecasting, specifically its application in predicting Netflix's closing stock prices. It analyzes the methodology used in this case study, highlighting the limitations of the ARIMA model in dynamic forecasting and its challenges in modeling financial time series data. After replicating steps in the Netflix stock price forecast, it finds that although the ARIMA model performs well in the short term, or the one-step-ahead forecast, it lacks explanatory power in dynamic forecasts, especially in the case of dealing with financial time series data.

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Against the backdrop of the advancing global sustainability agenda and China's "dual carbon" strategy, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have emerged as pivotal determinants of enterprises' long-term competitiveness. This study systematically reviews extant literature (2019–2024) exploring the impact of ESG performance on corporate value, and further delves into its inherent mechanisms and boundary conditions. Drawing on a systematic literature review methodology, this paper integrates stakeholder theory, the resource-based view, and information asymmetry theory to construct a three-dimensional theoretical framework: 'ESG performance–transmission mechanisms–corporate value'. Research findings reveal that ESG performance primarily enhances corporate value through three core transmission pathways: firstly, the financial pathway, which is realised by improving corporate creditworthiness and attracting long-term institutional investors; secondly, the market pathway, which enhances brand reputation and secures stakeholder endorsement; and thirdly, the innovation pathway, which fosters green technological innovation and optimises human capital allocation. Furthermore, the study identifies key moderating factors such as institutional environment, industry attributes, and corporate life cycle stage. Findings further illustrate that superior ESG performance is not merely a cost burden but rather a strategic asset that empowers enterprises to attain sustainable competitive advantage.

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