-
Important news
-
News
-
Shenzhen
-
China
-
World
-
Opinion
-
Sports
-
Kaleidoscope
-
Photo Highlights
-
Business
-
Markets
-
Business/Markets
-
World Economy
-
Speak Shenzhen
-
Leisure Highlights
-
Culture
-
Travel
-
Entertainment
-
Digital Paper
-
In depth
-
Weekend
-
Lifestyle
-
Diversions
-
Movies
-
Hotels
-
Special Report
-
Yes Teens
-
News Picks
-
Tech and Science
-
Glamour
-
Campus
-
Budding Writers
-
Fun
-
Futian Today
-
Advertorial
-
CHTF Special
-
FOCUS
-
Guide
-
Nanshan
-
Hit Bravo
-
People
-
Person of the week
-
Majors Forum
-
Shopping
-
Investment
-
Tech and Vogue
-
Junior Journalist Program
-
Currency Focus
-
Food Drink
-
Restaurants
-
Yearend Review
-
QINGDAO TODAY
在线翻译:
szdaily -> In depth -> 
Young Chinese embrace ‘slash careers’
    2019-08-06  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

AFTER landing, flight attendant Gan Yaojun immediately starts up his phone camera, immersing himself in his second career — or “slash career” — teaching netizens how to keep fit and dress fashionably.

“I chose to become a flight attendant because I wanted to travel around the world. But after I started working, I found that I could only travel on the same routes over and over again,” 28-year-old Gan said, defining himself as a flight attendant/fashion blogger.

Gan is one among the generation of “slashies” who find career fulfillment through juggling multiple jobs and titles.

Despite the limitations of his job, he did not simply choose to quit. Instead, he turned his hobby into a side business by taking photos and making short videos teaching young men how to skateboard, exercise and match clothes. At present, Gan has more than 40,000 followers on social networking platform Xiaohongshu. One of his videos in which he teaches boys how to roll up their trousers has more than 3,000 likes.

The number of people with slash careers in China has exceeded 80 million, with highly educated youth becoming the main force, according to a joint survey released by think tank Tsingyan Research and several other organizations.

However, its popularity has raised concerns from critics, who argue that assuming multiple roles risks undermining the performance of slashies in their full-time jobs.

It is not the case for Xue Zhenni, 34, who has adopted a slash career and struck a balance between multiple side jobs.

“My second identity as a tour guide has even promoted my first job — a human resources administrator,” Xue said, adding her second role helps her build interpersonal communication skills and adaptability as well as maintain curiosity and effectiveness at work, which are all skills related to her primary title.

Many people who opt for a slash career note that multiple side jobs can give them greater discipline and creativity, and hone different skills.

“I agree with the idea of focusing, but I don’t think it’s necessarily limited to a certain skill; otherwise, you may risk becoming outdated in this changing society,” said 26-year-old Chen Yanyu, a financial planner/music blogger/psychological counselor.

Yang Xiong, director of the Institute of Youth and Juvenile Studies at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said the Chinese economy is transitioning from high-speed growth to high-quality development. “It requires a higher level of professionalism and more skills for young people in order to adapt to the changes.”

Yu Hai, a professor at Fudan University, believes that slash careers reflect the hobbies and nature of slashies.

“When you are working, you invest not just your time and energy but also your emotions. And if you can secure a career you love, your emotions will not be exhausted, and you will not be prone to burnout,” Yu said. (Xinhua)

深圳报业集团版权所有, 未经授权禁止复制; Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved.
Shenzhen Daily E-mail:szdaily@szszd.com.cn