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State-owned sunset industry, will it survive until the end of the economic crisis or will it be liquidated?

job dissatisfaction sunset industry state-owned enterprise career stability economic crisis
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State-owned sunset industry, will it survive until the end of the economic crisis or will it be liquidated? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

My current job has nothing to do with my university major.

My university major is in a sunset industry. Due to severe depression, I (had to) choose to stay in my hometown after graduation and was admitted to another state-owned enterprise in a sunset industry with mediocre efficiency (it could even be described as struggling to survive) but with a stable income. My current job is extremely busy when I'm busy and extremely idle when I'm not.

The reason that made me let go of my ambitions and stay here is that the working environment is very friendly. My colleagues are very friendly and supportive, and they take good care of me as a newcomer. Since I came here, my depression has never recurred.

I originally thought that I would at least stay here for ten years, or even until either I or the company disappeared. But what makes me feel a sense of crisis is that even the leading state-owned enterprises in the industry have begun to cut salaries, and the cuts are still in the range of 25% to 30%.

I am a lesbian. If I stay in China, I don't have a plan for my life without getting married and having children, so I will be the only support for my parents in the future. In a small local state-owned enterprise, the complicated relationships make me feel that when my parents need me, it will be difficult for me to get promoted to a position with at least some money and leisure time.

Another concern I have is that I'm a lesbian. If I stay in my hometown, in a small, closed environment, I'll never come out. But I also want to love and be loved, and I want to marry a wife who understands me, and adopt a daughter as sweet as Yuxue, and let her grow up freely, choosing her own life... So now I'm at a loss. Should I stay at my current job until this economic crisis is over, or take a chance and prepare to jump ship to a foreign company or even abroad?

Advantages here: I can see my parents every day, I don't have to pay rent, I have stability, as long as the company doesn't go bankrupt I'll have money to spend, the working environment is comfortable, I speak good English, and I'm quite pretty.

Disadvantages here: little experience after only one year of work, low income, the future can be seen for decades, and it is impossible to get and give love forever;

Advantages of going abroad: It is easy to change jobs when you first start working. I have not yet joined the Communist Party. I have always worked in both Chinese and English.

Disadvantages of going abroad: poor health (medical conditions abroad are definitely not as good as in China), sensitive major (very unfortunately, the major you study and the major you work in are both sensitive majors), unable to take care of your parents, everyone abroad speaks English, and English proficiency is no advantage, no overseas education background, and being sensitive to the international situation may lead to marginalization.

Or, should I just make money while I still have time while my work is not yet particularly busy? (By "make money" here, I mean working abroad. I still want to hold a Chinese passport, and the thought of having to swear allegiance to a certain country when I change my passport is unbearable...)

Claire Russell Claire Russell A total of 7825 people have been helped

Hello, question asker. I am the Heart Detective coach, Gu Daoxi Feng Shoulu.

Let me be clear: most people share the questioner's confusion, especially employees of private enterprises. I have witnessed the company's large-scale store closure strategy and also felt the distress of many colleagues whose stores were closed. I understand the questioner's feelings. In fact, I empathize with them.

I was impressed when a colleague from a good relationship in a different city told me he lost his job on the first day and then found a new one the next day. Our industry isn't great, but we still get people from outside who want to come in. There's a flow of people coming in and out. When the boat reaches the bridge, it naturally straightens out. The questioner doesn't have to put too much pressure on himself.

The state-owned enterprise where the questioner works is either laying off staff or cutting the entire department. If it's the former, the questioner can maintain stability by making himself the one with outstanding performance. If it's the latter, the questioner needs to make plans early.

Life is difficult because you can't have it all. When we choose something, it may mean giving up something else. The questioner must sort out their current problems, list the advantages and disadvantages of seeking stability and development, and then weigh and score them to give themselves an answer. Taking calculated risks is the only way to go.

The questioner must decide whether to take risks or to be more stable. Understanding your own character traits will help you analyze your tendency to choose. In general, making choices that go against your character will greatly reduce your motivation and even cause procrastination.

Finish first, then perfect. Don't worry about longer-term planning for now. You don't need to change your nationality just because you start working. But the experience you gain while you're young will give you more opportunities when you face choices in the future.

If you are talented, you will have opportunities to shine. It doesn't matter whether you choose to stay in your current job, go abroad, or take up other job opportunities. I am certain that you will not be left in obscurity, and there will be a stage for you to show yourself.

Plan before you act. In "iPartment," Zhang Wei said, "When opportunities come at me like rain, I dodge them one after the other." Don't let Zhang Wei's regret haunt you. Expand your professional abilities while doing a good job in your main job. You'll be more competitive in the future.

This quote is spot on: Success is choosing a goal, determining the price to be paid, and then paying it in full without fail! I'm sure this will encourage the questioner.

You should read Lifelong Growth, A Thoughtful Turn.

Best wishes!

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Oscar Oscar A total of 9796 people have been helped

You said you were planning to stay in this state-owned enterprise for a long time, but the economic downturn and salary cuts by industry leaders have made you feel a sense of crisis and prompted you to rethink your future direction.

If you want to avoid risks, you need to assess them. List the opportunities and risks of development at home and abroad, and what personal resources you have to deal with these risks.

If you want to pursue a career in your home country, you have options. You can move elsewhere or work for a foreign company. Your language skills are an asset in your home country. You can even use them in a sensitive profession.

Attitudes towards lesbians vary greatly depending on the region. In open, first-tier cities, there is a much higher degree of acceptance than in the interior. Medical resources and conditions for caring for parents are also more favorable.

Let's talk about the risks. What if you lose your job due to downsizing as a result of the economic downturn? What if you have a low income and find it difficult to save money?

Is there anything else? If these situations arise, you need to know what coping strategies you can use, or what support you can find to help you get through them.

If you are going to work abroad, you need to decide whether you are a migrant or non-migrant worker. You will need to have the right financial resources, skills and language exams.

What are the possible risks? Unemployment and being unable to find work.

What kind of support can you find to help you through these difficult times?

The main factor that triggers your current dilemma is the economic situation. However, on a macro level, China's overall economic situation is still quite good in the global context. You are in the middle of it and have seen many signs of the depression, so you are understandably feeling the sense of crisis. However, you haven't seen the actual situation abroad, so it's hard to judge the situation there for survival and development.

You should research the target country (where you want to go) for information such as economic data, employment trends, policies and public attitudes towards immigrants/foreign workers, and consumer indices. This will give you a basis for judgment. If you know someone there, ask them directly for information.

If you want to enhance your career advantages and cope with future uncertainties (whether at home or abroad), you can use your free time to learn new skills and make relevant contacts. The general environment is beyond our control, but we can focus on ourselves, take care of our health, cultivate our learning ability, maintain a connection with the changing times, and cope with external uncertainties by enhancing our sense of self-efficacy.

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Alexandra Alexandra A total of 5995 people have been helped

It's so important to remember that this isn't just about work. It's about your whole life, your dreams, your emotions, and your responsibilities.

First, let's look at this from the perspective of career development. It's true that there are many uncertainties in sunset industries, and the risks of salary cuts, layoffs, and even business closures are increasing.

It's also good to remember that every industry goes through its own ups and downs. There are always companies and individuals who can find new ways to grow and develop. So, being in a state-owned enterprise doesn't mean there's no future. The key is finding your own opportunities and continuously improving your abilities and value.

On the other hand, changing jobs to work for a foreign company or abroad may indeed bring more opportunities and challenges. It'll also require more effort and cost you more time and energy, such as adapting to a new work environment and culture, and facing the challenges of language communication.

On top of all that, there are other things to think about too, like medical conditions abroad, restrictions on sensitive professions, and the uncertainty of the international situation. So, before you make a decision, it's really important to understand your abilities and interests, as well as the company and country you're thinking of moving to.

We also need to think about your personal life and emotional needs. You said you're a lesbian and you'd love to find love and start a family in China.

It's so great that you're looking for love and a family in China! It's totally understandable. But it's also important to remember that love and marriage aren't the only things in life. They shouldn't get in the way of your career. Having a healthy and stable job can give you a better foundation and security for pursuing love and family.

And don't forget, you can also try to find like-minded people in your existing social circle, or expand your circle of friends through some dedicated platforms.

And, of course, we can't forget that life is a constantly changing process. Nobody can predict the future, so there's no need to worry about it. Instead, we should embrace every opportunity and challenge with an open mind.

It's totally up to you whether you stay in a state-owned enterprise or choose to jump ship. Either way, there are pros and cons and risks involved. The key is how you take control of your own destiny and find your own place in this ever-changing world.

Ultimately, I just want to say that there's no such thing as a totally right or wrong choice in life. There are just choices that feel right for you. It's so important to listen to that little voice inside you, to understand what you truly need and want, and then to make a decision that's in your best interest.

And remember, you can do it! You can forge a wonderful life of your own, no matter which path you choose.

In summary, in the face of the difficulties of the sunset industry of state-owned enterprises and the uncertainty of the future, it's so important to examine and think about problems from multiple perspectives. Whether it is career development, personal life, or emotional needs, we need to carefully weigh and consider.

But no matter what you choose, remember to keep an open mind and an optimistic attitude. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and go after your dreams with courage and joy!

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Comments

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Candace Anderson The luster of honesty outshines all false pretenses.

It sounds like you're at a crossroads, and it's completely understandable to feel uncertain. I empathize with your situation. The decision you're facing is deeply personal and involves many factors. Staying in your current job provides stability and the comfort of being close to your family, which is incredibly important. At the same time, the thought of a longterm future in an industry that's declining can be unsettling. It's also clear that your wellbeing has improved in this environment, which is a significant positive. However, considering your ambitions and desires for a fulfilling life, including the ability to love and be loved as a lesbian, might mean that exploring opportunities abroad could offer more freedom and acceptance. Yet, the challenges of adapting to a new country, especially with health concerns and potential marginalization, are not to be underestimated. Ultimately, the choice will depend on what you value most at this stage of your life.

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Duncan Davis Teachers are the puzzle - solvers who help students piece together the jigsaw of knowledge.

I hear you. Your situation is complex, and it's natural to feel torn between staying and going. On one hand, your current job offers a friendly work environment and the stability of being near your parents, which has been beneficial for your mental health. But the downsizing within even the leading companies in your industry signals a concerning trend. As a lesbian, finding a place where you can live authentically and build a family is crucial. Moving abroad could provide a more open and accepting community, but it comes with its own set of challenges, such as leaving your parents behind and navigating a new culture. It's also worth considering whether there are ways to advance within your current company or explore other opportunities within China that align better with your longterm goals. Balancing these factors will help you make a decision that feels right for you.

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Harrison Miller The acquisition of knowledge in different areas is the fuel that propels a well - read person's intellectual growth.

Your dilemma is truly challenging, and it's clear you've put a lot of thought into both paths. Staying in your current job offers the security of a stable income and the support of your colleagues, which has been instrumental in maintaining your mental health. However, the industry's decline and the recent salary cuts suggest that this stability may not last. As a lesbian, you also face the reality of societal expectations and the desire to live openly and find a partner who understands you. Moving abroad could offer more opportunities for personal growth and a potentially more accepting environment, but it's not without risks, especially given your health concerns and the importance of being close to your parents. Perhaps a middle ground could be to look for opportunities within China that offer more flexibility and potential for advancement, while still allowing you to stay connected to your family. This way, you can explore new possibilities without completely uprooting your life.

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