Journalism graduate chooses to work at university canteen to prioritise happiness

Her current occupation stood in stark contrast to her earlier experiences in the corporate world.

A 26-year-old woman in China, identified as Huang, who earned a master’s degree in journalism from the prestigious Peking University, made headlines for her unconventional career decision—opting to work in the university’s canteen rather than pursue a white-collar profession. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Huang said she prioritised her happiness over societal expectations.

After graduating in 2022, Huang had interned at major internet companies as well as prominent state-run media organisations. However, she said she found deeper fulfilment in her current role. “Compared to those jobs, working as a canteen auntie brings me more joy,” she stated.

Affectionately referred to as “Mum Huang” by students, she began her shifts early each morning and worked long hours, spending most of her time on her feet. Her daily duties included serving food, ladling soup or porridge from large containers, and chopping large quantities of vegetables. Despite the physically demanding nature of the work, she said she had adapted over time.

Recalling one particularly difficult moment, she said, “I remember once I sliced through an entire basket of hot peppers, and my hands became swollen from the irritation caused by the spice. I had to bear the pain, but it disappeared by the next day.” She added, “At first, I struggled with the exhaustion of this job. However, I soon discovered that a good night’s sleep would help me recover quickly.”

Her current occupation stood in stark contrast to her earlier experiences in the corporate world. At the internet firms and media houses where she previously worked, she was required to meet stringent performance targets, often referred to as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Reflecting on that period, she said she was constantly preoccupied with work and expected to respond to her boss's queries throughout the day. “As long as I was awake, I had to be on call,” she said.

Huang hailed from a rural area in central China’s Hunan province and came from a family of bus drivers. Her decision to take up a canteen job drew disapproval from her parents, who were concerned about the physically taxing nature of the role and its relatively modest salary. “When others asked my parents where I work, they simply said I work at Peking University. Many assume I am a professor there,” she said.

Despite earning a salary of 6,000 yuan per month (approximately Rs 69,000), significantly less than her peers, Huang said she remained content. “My university classmates make around 20,000 yuan (Rs 2.3 lakh) per month. But that doesn’t concern me,” she said. “Working in the canteen is my choice, as it aligns with my personal happiness.” She also expressed hopes of becoming the canteen’s manager in the future.

Her decision sparked mixed reactions on Chinese social media. While many applauded her for choosing personal satisfaction over social conventions, others criticised her choice. One user commented, “Just follow your heart. Don’t worry about what others think.” Another wrote, “She is wise because nothing is more important than your happiness.”

However, dissenting voices questioned the broader implications of her decision. “It is a waste of educational resources, and her situation should not be promoted,” one remark read.