Only 10 percent of migrant workers like Zhang Wanxu can actually settle in cities; it depends on their technical expertise or management capabilities. The Zhangs run a tailor’s shop in Beijing making an annual income of RMB 60,000-70,000, ten times a farming income. The majority of the first-generation migrant workers, now in their 50s and above, have gone back to enjoy a simple life on their contracted village plot and ancestral homestead. They nursed hopes that their children might marry in the countryside and give them children that would need their care. This dream seems more and more out of reach. Zhang Wanxu and Xue Jing are beginning to regret that they built such a big house.

Not surprisingly, the survey conducted by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions shows that the new-generation migrant workers are much better-off than their parents. They have never suffered from hunger or cold, so their physical endurance is far less than their parents. In this respect they are similar to their urban peers. A year after arriving in Beijing, Zhang Qianru acknowledged, “My parents suffered a lot of hardship, and they are satisfied to live frugally. I could not endure what they have. I have no plan to establish my own business, but it’s impossible for me to go back to our village to live a simple life! So I must make my own way in the city.”

Her schoolmate recommended a particular job and Zhang Qianru found herself the envy of many college graduates; she became an assistant to a researcher at the Division of Metrology in Optics and Laser under the National Institute of Metrology. With no permanent residence in Beijing or academic level sufficient to gain her a better position, she serves as a “temp” with a monthly salary of RMB 1,500. Fortunately, the office is spacious and the work is easy. The perks are a free lunch, learning skills from the researcher, and accumulating social experience.

Because of her sanguine disposition and cleverness, her female boss – a PH.D 12 years her senior, took to her quickly and they soon became good friends. The researcher required Zhang Qianru to attain undergraduate level accreditation, pointing her in a definite career direction. “Although I’m competent at my job, without qualifications the workplace will not renew my contract. If I am employed with formal credentials, my pay will double,” smiled Zhang Qianru.

Unexpected Changes

The All-China Federation of Trade Unions survey suggested that the children of migrant workers newly graduated from high school are not confident or competent in setting concrete career goals, or handling the complex and fluctuating information and social environments. With lower resilience to setbacks (thought to be exacerbated by the shrinking of family size), they have much lower capacity for planning and realizing career goals. They do, however, have a strong appetite for advanced learning. According to the survey, 69.7 percent said they want technical know-how, 54.7 percent expressed an interest in legal studies, and 47.8 percent said they want to enhance their cultural knowledge. All feel their interests are integral to their career development.