45% consider changing careers due to salary, benefits, and work pressure

A recent survey by the Macau Federation of Students and the University of Saint Joseph’s (USJ) Faculty of Health Sciences found that 45% of registered workers in Macau have considered changing careers, citing salary, benefits, personal interest, and work pressure as their main reasons.

The survey, which collected 308 valid responses, highlights concerns over career prospects, even among professionals whose personalities align with their current occupations.

The results of the survey noted that salary and benefits were the primary motivation for respondents considering a career change, followed by personal interest and self-fulfillment.

This reflects that even if workers’ personalities align with their professions, they may still be unable to accept limited career prospects.

The federation and faculty recommended that the government continuously improve the training system for residents, provide subsidies to help SMEs foster upward mobility for talent, and establish a one-stop platform for learning and training to assist more practitioners in achieving upward mobility or lateral career development.

Jacky Ho, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at USJ and director of the Center for Social Development Studies, suggested strengthening career planning guidance in primary and secondary schools.

According to the scholar, this would help students understand their future development paths earlier, reducing the chances of “entering the wrong profession or choosing the wrong job.” Ricaela Diputado