Core Summary
This news article recounts the real story of Steven, a post-95s individual from Shandong who struggled to settle in Hong Kong. To remain in the city, he took on nearly 90 part-time jobs while pursuing his master's degree (including carrying 40-kilogram bags of cement). However, after graduation, due to the shrinking education sector and a tight job market in Hong Kong, he was unable to find a suitable job. He ultimately decided to "tactically retreat" to Shenzhen, where he aims to gain experience while waiting for another opportunity to return. His story reflects the common struggles of countless others who come to Hong Kong with dreams but are overwhelmed by high costs and fierce competition for jobs—yet most still hold onto the hope of returning.
I. Going All Out to Stay in Hong Kong: The Struggle for Survival and Integration Through Nearly 90 Part-Time Jobs
Steven came to Hong Kong to pursue a master's degree in educational psychology with a clear goal: to work in Hong Kong and obtain permanent residency. Since part-time jobs are allowed for non-local students, this became a crucial means for him to support himself and integrate into society. He tried almost every legal part-time job available, such as working as a restaurant server, a dock worker, an event coordinator, and even assisting at funerals or doing odd jobs around the city, totaling nearly 90 different roles. At one particularly demanding job, he carried 153 bags of cement (each weighing 40 kilograms) in a single day, which left him so exhausted that he could barely stand for a week, but the income of HK$1,000 per day was an irresistible temptation for someone paying rent and living expenses. He said, "It's not that I like carrying cement; it's just a matter of prioritizing survival over ideals." These part-time jobs were not only a means of making ends meet but also a way for him to understand Hong Kong's society.
II. Dreams Hit a Cold Wall: The Dilemmas Faced by Strugglers in Hong Kong
Many believe that hard work alone is enough to stay in Hong Kong, but Steven realized the harsh reality upon graduation:
- Shrinking Industries: The field of educational psychology he studied faced a decline in the number of school-age children, leading to school closures and increased competition for local teachers, making it even more difficult for inexperienced individuals like him.
- Tight Job Market: From 2022 to 2025, the number of full-time job opportunities for Hong Kong graduates plummeted from 80,000 to 31,000, a decrease of over 60%, leaving graduates with very limited prospects.
- Company Preferences: Most companies prefer candidates with prior experience rather than fresh graduates. Despite submitting numerous resumes and attempting full-time internships, he received few responses. Coupled with the monthly rent of HK$3,200 for his shared apartment in Fanling (which was small), his monotonous lifestyle made him question whether he could truly stay in Hong Kong for the long term.
III. A Tactical Retreat to Shenzhen: Seeking New Opportunities
Steven did not give up and chose to move to Luohu, Shenzhen:
- Lower Living Costs: With the same budget, rent and utilities in Shenzhen amounted to only RMB2,700, providing a much more comfortable living environment compared to Hong Kong.
- New Possibilities: He started looking for jobs in education (interviewing for positions as a research teacher with a monthly salary of around RMB7,000–8,000) while exploring opportunities in AI-related entrepreneurship. Although his income was much lower than when he was carrying cement in Hong Kong, he believed that accumulating experience was more important at this stage.
- Unchanged Ambition: He viewed this as a temporary strategy, stating, "This is not a failure; it's just a tactical retreat. When I'm better prepared, I can return to Hong Kong."
IV. The Common Struggle of Those Who Come to Hong Kong: Temporarily Leaving Does Not Mean Giving Up on Dreams
Steven's story is not isolated. More and more mainland students come to Hong Kong to study with the hope of staying and developing their careers there, but they face numerous challenges such as high rent, a tight job market, and fierce competition. Many are caught in a dilemma:
- Some want to stay but cannot find jobs;
- Some find jobs but cannot afford the long-term living costs;
- Some, like Steven, temporarily move to cities like Shenzhen or other mainland areas to endure difficult times.
What they leave behind is Hong Kong itself; what remains unchanged is their desire to settle in the city. As Steven said, "My goal has never changed—I still want to come back." This reflects the shared sentiment of many who come to Hong Kong: life is not a straight path, and taking a step back may be necessary to move forward with greater success in the future.
This news article does not rely on grand narratives but uses the story of an ordinary person to highlight the struggles of those trying to balance their dreams with reality, as well as their resilience in facing difficulties. Do you know anyone who fits this description? How are they doing right now?