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Tracking the trend in rising trades
By Xu Wenwen |
December 14, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Internet, greater spending power and even a recent health scare are all factors that have brought about the creation of new professions in China. Xu Wenwen discovers some of these specific trades that have only emerged in recent years.
As an old Chinese saying goes, "there are 360 trades, and each trade has its own masters." The number 360 corresponds to the number of days in one year, signifying the large amount of different trades. But in today's China, even 360 is too limited to embrace the amount of industries that exist, especially since there's an abundance of new professions.
Ding Yunbo works as a public servant, but has another identity - an online shopping bargainer.
He will work on behalf of a buyer to bargain for a product at a lower price with an online seller. If Ding succeeds, he charges the buyer around 20 percent of the price difference.
Though Ding does this work mainly at evenings and weekends, zero outlay brings him a monthly revenue ranging from 2,000 yuan (US$300) to 5,000 yuan, averagely equal to the salary he receives for his permanent day job.
"I help buyers by saving their money and energy, and I also help sellers because I confirm buyer's willingness to purchase," says Ding. "That's why online bargainers exist."
Since the Internet was invented, many new professions have been created. On Taobao.com, the country's largest online shopping website headquatered in Hangzhou, there are more than 200 professional bargainers like Ding. The role of "online bargainer" follows online shopping models and photographers as a new profession brought about by the emergence of online shopping.
But it isn't just the rise of the Internet that is creating new jobs. Many other new professions are emerging in modern China, such as credit analyst and actuary, while some roles such as ration coupon administrator are disappearing.
"The change of professions reflects the transformation of society," says Zhang Lei, sociology professor of Zhejiang University of Technology. "Any social change goes along with the birth of new professions and the 'death' of old professions."
Owing to the fast economic development of the country, many professions derived in the West have been transported to China.
Yu Xun is the founder of Xun Image Management in Hangzhou, a company offering people fashion consultation services. As an image consultant for more than a decade, she has witnessed the increasing popularity of the profession in recent years.
"Gradually, Chinese people have begun to accept this high-end service, and the market is widening as the amount of customers increases every year," says Yu. "As the quality of people's lives rises, their demands rise as well."
Similarly, many other professions have spawned as a result of the climbing quality of life in modern China, such as marriage consultant, dietitian, infant nurse and college counselor.
Meanwhile, other new professions have come about due to particular social influences.
Lactation advisor Di Yixuan's business boomed when the melamine-tainted dairy products scandal occurred in China two years ago.
With concerns about the quality of milk powder, many Chinese parents now prefer breast feeding, and Di helps those mothers who secrete little milk.
Three years ago, Di, who used to study clinical medicine in a noted medicine college, established her lactation promotion center in Hangzhou. The lactation advisor's job is to use massage techniques on a new mother's breasts to stimulate more milk from her milk duct.
Di emphasized the importance of her job: "some puerpera (woman who have recently given birth) suffering from breast tenderness rub their breasts incorrectly, which is dangerous as it can induce inflammation and hyperplasia.
"Because young Chinese parents, who are mostly the only child in their own families, know little about how to zuo yuezi (undergo the traditional one-month period of indoor care and special nutrition after delivery), the market potential in this field is promising," Di says.
"Behind those fresh professions are rising or booming industries," says Professor Zhang.
For instance, the profession of aquatic mammal raiser was born as aquariums are now as common as museums in cities, while a seafood maintainer is someone who takes care of the seafood in a restaurant and the role has been generated because of the competition among restaurants. Similarly, the advancement of the chinaware industry has boosted the need for more ceramic designers.
"Changes in economic form and lifestyle require more services, while those services provide more probabilities for people's lives," Zhang adds.
As an old Chinese saying goes, "there are 360 trades, and each trade has its own masters." The number 360 corresponds to the number of days in one year, signifying the large amount of different trades. But in today's China, even 360 is too limited to embrace the amount of industries that exist, especially since there's an abundance of new professions.
Ding Yunbo works as a public servant, but has another identity - an online shopping bargainer.
He will work on behalf of a buyer to bargain for a product at a lower price with an online seller. If Ding succeeds, he charges the buyer around 20 percent of the price difference.
Though Ding does this work mainly at evenings and weekends, zero outlay brings him a monthly revenue ranging from 2,000 yuan (US$300) to 5,000 yuan, averagely equal to the salary he receives for his permanent day job.
"I help buyers by saving their money and energy, and I also help sellers because I confirm buyer's willingness to purchase," says Ding. "That's why online bargainers exist."
Since the Internet was invented, many new professions have been created. On Taobao.com, the country's largest online shopping website headquatered in Hangzhou, there are more than 200 professional bargainers like Ding. The role of "online bargainer" follows online shopping models and photographers as a new profession brought about by the emergence of online shopping.
But it isn't just the rise of the Internet that is creating new jobs. Many other new professions are emerging in modern China, such as credit analyst and actuary, while some roles such as ration coupon administrator are disappearing.
"The change of professions reflects the transformation of society," says Zhang Lei, sociology professor of Zhejiang University of Technology. "Any social change goes along with the birth of new professions and the 'death' of old professions."
Owing to the fast economic development of the country, many professions derived in the West have been transported to China.
Yu Xun is the founder of Xun Image Management in Hangzhou, a company offering people fashion consultation services. As an image consultant for more than a decade, she has witnessed the increasing popularity of the profession in recent years.
"Gradually, Chinese people have begun to accept this high-end service, and the market is widening as the amount of customers increases every year," says Yu. "As the quality of people's lives rises, their demands rise as well."
Similarly, many other professions have spawned as a result of the climbing quality of life in modern China, such as marriage consultant, dietitian, infant nurse and college counselor.
Meanwhile, other new professions have come about due to particular social influences.
Lactation advisor Di Yixuan's business boomed when the melamine-tainted dairy products scandal occurred in China two years ago.
With concerns about the quality of milk powder, many Chinese parents now prefer breast feeding, and Di helps those mothers who secrete little milk.
Three years ago, Di, who used to study clinical medicine in a noted medicine college, established her lactation promotion center in Hangzhou. The lactation advisor's job is to use massage techniques on a new mother's breasts to stimulate more milk from her milk duct.
Di emphasized the importance of her job: "some puerpera (woman who have recently given birth) suffering from breast tenderness rub their breasts incorrectly, which is dangerous as it can induce inflammation and hyperplasia.
"Because young Chinese parents, who are mostly the only child in their own families, know little about how to zuo yuezi (undergo the traditional one-month period of indoor care and special nutrition after delivery), the market potential in this field is promising," Di says.
"Behind those fresh professions are rising or booming industries," says Professor Zhang.
For instance, the profession of aquatic mammal raiser was born as aquariums are now as common as museums in cities, while a seafood maintainer is someone who takes care of the seafood in a restaurant and the role has been generated because of the competition among restaurants. Similarly, the advancement of the chinaware industry has boosted the need for more ceramic designers.
"Changes in economic form and lifestyle require more services, while those services provide more probabilities for people's lives," Zhang adds.
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