Unemployment Influencer: He Ajun's New Career Path in China's Gig Economy

He Ajun, a Guangzhou-based vlogger, turned to becoming an unemployment influencer after quitting her private tutoring job due to China's education crackdown. By sharing career advice and personal experiences, she earns 5,000 yuan monthly through ads, content editing, private consultations, and selling handicrafts. Her journey highlights the challenges young, highly-educated Chinese face in securing jobs amid widespread layoffs and job scarcity.

He Ajun, a 32-year-old former private tutor from Guangzhou, has redefined herself as an unemployment influencer after China's government cracked down on private tutoring last August.

On her vlogs, He provides career advice to her 8,400 followers and shares her experiences with long-term joblessness, earning around 5,000 yuan monthly through various channels including advertisement revenue, content editing, private consultations, and street vending of handicrafts.

freelancing is the futurework force. However, China's focus on emerging technologies has left millions of young and highly educated jobless, unable to transition into new industries. According to analysts and sociologists, this situation is compounding China's already high youth unemployment rate and underemployment issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)