YOUNG RECRUITS DRAWN TO THE GIG ECONOMY

Such work offers greater flexibility, time to decide future careers

Zhang Zhinan's parents wanted her to become a civil servant or teacher in her hometown of Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, but the 21-year-old recently found a so-called gig job at a logistics company in Shanghai.

"Gig job" is a popular term for freelance work that has no long-term commitment. Most gig workers are employed on a part-time or hourly basis. They can also decide how often they work.

Zhang's job requires her to work eight hours a day for 30 days. She said she does not yet have a long-term career plan, but hopes to try different occupations and keep her life "free and simple".