Quitting Her Day Job for Instagram: How One Woman Became a Full-Time Influencer Earning Thousands

Rainbow Li quit her stressful corporate job to become a full-time social media influencer, now earning up to $20,000 per month from brand sponsorships.
Surveys show over 60% of Chinese youth are interested in becoming influencers, seeing it as a legitimate career option amidst high youth unemployment.
Influencer agencies mentor aspiring social media stars, but the market is very competitive with over 1 million live streaming influencers in China.
While successful now, experts question the sustainability of influencer careers that depend on maintaining popularity and avoiding controversy.
Some influencers like Charles Xu have struggled to maintain income as the economy declined and competition increased.

abc.net.au

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8/20/2023

'Can't sleep at night': China's youth worry about tough job market

### Summary Millions of graduates in China are facing an increasingly difficult job market, with soaring youth unemployment rates and a slowdown in post-Covid economic recovery leading to a lack of job opportunities and increased anxiety among jobseekers. ### Facts - Youth unemployment in China hit a record high in June, with 21.3% of people aged 16 to 24 being jobless. - Graduates like Zhang, who has a psychology major, are struggling to find employment in their chosen fields despite sending out numerous job applications. - The Chinese government recently decided to stop publishing age-related employment data, causing concerns about the true extent of youth joblessness. - Inexperienced candidates attending career fairs in Beijing are finding it challenging to secure their first or second jobs, with employers mainly seeking staff for low-paying sales and administrative positions. - The weak consumer demand and slower economic rebound after the Covid-19 pandemic have made companies reluctant to hire new employees. - Companies that have survived the pandemic are now more selective in their hiring and prioritize survival over expansion. - Some young jobseekers are facing difficulties due to limited development opportunities in certain industries and feel that government policies have not caught up. - The Chinese government has introduced measures to boost consumption, such as large-scale festivals and sporting events, but more needs to be done to boost consumers' and employers' confidence. - The insurance industry seems to have more job opportunities available, with many insurance companies looking to hire sales representatives. - Despite the availability of positions in the insurance industry, job security and guaranteed income may be lacking. ### Emoji 💼

8/24/2023

Ranks of ‘Full-Time Children’ Grow in China Amid High Youth Unemployment

China's youth unemployment rate has reached record highs, with many young people refusing to find jobs they deem unattractive, leading to the rise of "full-time children" who rely on family support, while others are forced into unstable and low-paying jobs in the platform economy; experts warn of the long-term impact on mental health and productivity.

9/17/2023

China's Youth Unemployment Soars to Record High, Raising Economic Concerns

China is facing a significant increase in youth unemployment, with the rate for people aged 16 to 24 years old reaching a record high of 21.3% in June, which could have serious implications for the country's economy and social stability.