Over 90% of youth want to enhance work skills

Job seekers pose queries during a job fair in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province. [Photo by Liu Ranyang/China News Service]

A recent report suggested that 60.85% of the surveyed young adults highly valued career planning. 93.77% desired to improve problem-solving skills, 90.27% aimed to enhance communication abilities, and 84.29% hoped to refine skills in dealing with interpersonal relationship.

The report, titled "Data Analysis of Career Planning Among Youth (2023)," was jointly conducted by the People's Data Research Institute, Beijing Normal University's School of Journalism and Communication, and Fenbi (a company providing non-formal vocational education and training services).

Furthermore, working while planning a career is common among today's youth. A netizen born in the mid-1990s known as "Chizao Is Me" (hereafter referred to as Chizao) gained unexpected attention recently. After resigning from her job earlier this year, she decided to become a "career experimenter." In just over six months, she has worked as a network administrator, food delivery person, personal butler, teahouse staff, firefighter, and even a Sichuan opera actress.

Chizao's goal is to explore 100 types of professions, with each job providing her with new perspective on world and life. When asked about the essence of work, she said, "Work isn't just about dedication; it's about earning respect in our unique ways."

The report also indicated that 64.59% of the surveyed youth preferred working in government agencies, 56.36% in public institutions, and 48.63% in state-owned enterprises. High salary and job stability are the primary factors influencing people's career choices.

Despite the emphasis on stability, it is found through comparison that young individuals inclined to work in private enterprises pay more attention to growth opportunities, personal interests, skill development, and corporate culture.

"This generation of young people knows what they want for their future. They deeply understand the job market with a clear employment view," said Zhang Xiaolong, CEO of Fenbi. He highlighted that with the advancement of internet technology, young people are more innovative, leading to their diverse career choices.

"The post-2000 generation encounters new things more frequently and swiftly, allowing them to keenly perceive societal changes. This enhances their independent thinking about employment and life. What they need to enhance is their overall qualities and adaptability in the workplace," said Zhang.

Tong Xiaomin, director of the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Information Center, pointed out that the current international and domestic environments are intricate.

"China's economy has shifted from rapid growth to high-quality development. Traditional industries are transforming, and emerging sectors urgently need to flourish. This significantly impacts youth employment. New industries and businesses are giving rise to fresh professions, creating more opportunities for young individuals," said Tong.

Source: China Youth Daily; trans-editing by Guo Yao