China's young workers - overqualified and in low-paying jobs
www.bbc.com
With high youth unemployment rates, Chinese graduates are resorting to working as waiters, cleaners and movie extras.

Summary

China’s economic slowdown and high youth unemployment (16.1% as of November 2024) have left millions of highly educated graduates in low-paying or mismatched jobs, such as waiters, cleaners, or extras in films.

Fields like finance, manufacturing, and tech no longer offer sufficient opportunities, forcing many to reassess career aspirations.

Family pressures and criticisms exacerbate the situation, though some view their current roles as stepping stones toward entrepreneurial goals.

Uncertainty about the economy’s trajectory leaves many young workers feeling disillusioned and insecure.

  • @FadesEnglish
    5•3 days ago

    What kind of orphan crushing machine is this comment?? Just like squid said, they’re forced to do this and not what they studied to do, what they dreamed of, etc.

    Your anecdote works because the chef likes to bake and chemistry and baking go hand in hand. Delivery driving or day laboring and college degrees? Not so much.

    • @AqariusEnglish
      9•3 days ago

      But also, they do have a point: education isn’t, or rather shouldn’t be, just a means to get a better job. We don’t think of someone who takes singing or playing lessons as “failed” if they don’t become a professional musician. A day labourer with an art degree isn’t worse than one without one