Jobs of Tomorrow

Emerging new professions give job seekers more opportunities

- Xia Yuanyuan and Wei Hongchen

Tang Yi hadn’t planned to celebrate his birthday this year. The deliveryman was rushing around Beijing ensuring his customers received their online orders when COVID-19 epidemic restrictions were in place. There was no time to do anything else.

However, on his special day in April, he picked up an order from a bakery and saw an attached note saying: “This cake is a special treat for whoever is the delivery person. Don’t forget to take time out to eat it.”

Tang did stop to eat the cake, marveling at the coincidence of picking up such a gift on his birthday and moved to tears that a customer would be so kind-hearted.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, China’s couriers and food delivery people played a crucial role. They ensured people got their medicines and meals. After the epidemic was brought under control in China, the public rewarded them for their essential service in various ways.

Tang’s profession has received increasing recognition and respect from the public in recent years. Based on the important role they played in society, at the beginning of 2020, this profession was officially recognized as one of 16 new occupations by several government departments, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

Social recognition

Tang and his delivery peers in cities across the country felt gratified after knowing their profession has received official recognition.