Technology facilitated

Lush grasslands, golden wheat fields and winding rivers - Xiao Xing has seen it all through his "third eye" otherwise known as his drone.

"I love the thrill [of this work]," the full-time drone operator said.

Back in 2012, Xiao was struggling with his coal business which saw a decline in demand. He was drawn to watching his friend operating a drone to fertilize rape flowers. It piqued his interest.

Xiao found that drones could be widely used for sowing, fertilizing and artificial pollination in agriculture. A drone operator has become a popular profession due to its creativity and relaxed workload, especially since the boom of Internet advertising, short videos and automated agriculture.

Xiao quit his job to devote himself to drones in 2016, after acquiring his drone license following a 15-day intensive training program. Now, the skill of flying drones brings him a decent income as the machine boosts the efficiency of sowing and crop-dusting.

"Drones are over 10 times more efficient than skilled manpower and they are cost-effective and environmentally friendly," said Xiao. "I believe drone operator will be a job in high demand."

Xiao's occupation was included as one of the 13 new professions identified by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Bureau of Statistics in April 2019. The new professions are mainly in areas of advanced technology.

"Rapidly developing technology is creating new jobs while weeding out outdated professions," said Chinese Academy of Social Sciences expert Zhang Yi.

The rising stars

Although not being officially recognized by the government, some new professions, such as online restaurant decorators, pet photographers, professional wardrobe organizers and manicurists, have sprung up alongside other burgeoning industries and digital transformations in China.

"They have emerged to cope with rising new personalized demand, and have helped to stabilize the job market and boosted the economy," said a joint report by Meituan Dianping and Internet-based recruiting platform Zhaopin last year.

For example, Zhao Qianqing's profession has made headlines recently in Chinese media for its high demand and substantial income.

Having been a software sales assistant, she transformed her obsession with tidiness into a business of wardrobe organizing in Beijing based on her strong interest in decluttering.

Zhao has so far managed to serve over 100 clients, most of whom are now her regulars. "A good professional wardrobe organizer should not only sort out the mess in the room, but also sort out interpersonal relationships," she told ChinAfrica.

Zhao said her job is to help clients rationally plan the relationship between space, objects, and people. "The purpose is to make every family member feel comfortable and build a harmonious family environment," she said.

She charges her clients 990 yuan ($141) for every linear meter of the closet reorganized. So far, Zhao's work has won good comments from her clients. Organizing wardrobes helps Zhao earn around 10,000 yuan ($1,441) a month.

In Zhao's view, although fledgling professions like wardrobe organizers are not yet included in the scope of the country's new professions, lacking clear industry standards and regulations, she hopes that the government can improve relevant policy guarantees to promote the healthy development of the new emerging professions going forward.

Since April 2019, three batches of 38 new professions have been recognized by the Chinese Government, constantly evolving traditional professional job categories. According to a survey conducted by China Youth Daily's social survey center, 96.1 percent of 2,000 young respondents aged 18-35 said they would like to pursue a new career if they had the opportunity.

(Print Edition Title: Jobs of Tomorrow)

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