45 percent of high school students had part-time job

A survey conducted by the General Association of Chinese Students – Macau has revealed that about half of Macau’s high-­school students have part-time job experience. Interviewees claim that the main purpose of short-term work is to earn some pocket money quickly.
The study surveyed the students of ten high schools from Macau, yielding 1,055 valid results. Researchers concluded that 45 percent of the students had previous paid working experience, and that this percentage increases accordingly as they progress through school.
Among those who have never taken on part-­time jobs, 27 percent said they were afraid of consequent poor school results. Sixteen percent showed no interest in working at all, and another 16 percent claimed that school left them no spare time. Nevertheless, 49 percent of the students who possessed experience admitted to having been introduced to their jobs by their friends or classmates. Notwithstanding, more than 70 percent worked less than ten hours per week.
Interviewees explained that some of the reasons motivating them to seek part-time jobs included: training themselves to be competitive in a career search; enriching their personal life; and having a wider social circle. However, working experience and money always stand atop their list of reasons. Staff reporter