Female 'slashers' seek more possibilities in life

Xu Tingjiao, marketing manager slash parenting blogger, shares parent-child reading out of her personal experience online. [Xinhua]

Slashers refer to those people who have multiple careers. They have different identities in their work and life. But what do they value most? Five Chinese women give answers based on their own personal experience.

Marketing manager/parenting blogger

"I will not differentiate between a main business and a sideline occupation. I just consider myself as an enterprise, and invest in myself what is valuable," said Xu Tingjiao, marketing manager slash
Internet influencer.

Quality of life, hobbies and self-development are what Xu pursues in her life. If people face bottlenecks in the workplace, they'd better be more active to look for possibilities, according to her.

During the nine-to-five hours, Xu is a manager of an online purchasing platform. At other times, she is a maternal and infant blogger on Xiaohongshu, a popular social media and e-commerce platform featuring recommendations of goods and lifestyles.

Xu focuses on sharing tips on family education and interacting with her followers, most of whom are novice mothers.

At present, she gets up early every day, shares high-quality picture books with her son and guides more mothers how to read with their children. Meeting her child's needs and the expectations of her followers encourages Xu to step out of her comfort zone and to constantly improve.

White-collar worker/dancing teacher

Ren Yujia, a foreign-funded company white-collar worker slash dance instructor, teaches a child to dance at her own studio. [Workers' Daily/Wu Fan]

"Just imagine being a CEO managing your own life. Society has given us more choices to do things at the same time," said Ren Yujia, white-collar worker slash dance instructor.

In addition to her real name, Ren also has two commonly used form of address, Mandy and Teacher Xiaoyu. When she is called Mandy, she is an employee in a foreign-funded company in Beijing's central business district, and when she is called Teacher Xiaoyu, she is a dancing instructor for children.

Ren has kept a balance between her two identities for years. She studied international trade at college, and at that time also took a great interest in dancing.

Ren now enjoys her weekends teaching at her own studio. In her view, dancing is not only a talent, but also a good way to build up the body.

HR employee/tour leader

L: Xue Zhenni poses for a photo while working as an outbound tour leader. R: A photo for Xue Zhenni as a HR professional. [China Comment]

"I have three jobs now. The first is a mother with family responsibilities and the second full-time HR job is for a living," said Xue Zhenni. "Being a part-time tour leader fuels my creative soul and makes me happy."

Xue abandoned a working schedule dubbed "996" that expects employees to work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week without overtime pay. She found a HR job requiring her to work only three days a week.

Xue recommends a frank talk with the employer, as most companies do not agree with employees
to take part-time jobs. "A good choice would be to ensure working hours and performances in the company and use part-time practices to promote the main business," said Xue.

SOE employee/homestay owner

Dai Anni, white-collar worker in a state-owned enterprise slash homestay owner, clears up a room in her Bed and Breakfast. [Workers' Daily/Wu Fan]

"I find a lot of fulfillment in running a side gig. If it's out of genuine interest, it's bound to gain profits," said Dai Anni.

Dai works at a large state-owned enterprise. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and writing. She established a WeChat account to share what she sees and hears on trips.

Homestay is an important part of the journey. Dai refitted her house into a Bed and Breakfast. She is in contact with many travelers, and gets a lot of inspiration from them.

Entrepreneur/online musician

Zeng Qi, online musician slash entrepreneur, exchanges ideas with her team members. [Workers' Daily/Wu Fan]

"To be a slasher requires strong capabilities. They can help others before being recognized by them," said Zeng Qi, a senior college student majoring in programming.

Zeng started her slash career with music. When she arrived at university, she often posted songs she performed online and was by chance noticed by a music platform. Later, she became a contracted musician, bringing enjoyment to many people.

Apart from an online celebrity, she has also become an entrepreneur based on her experience in an advertising company and being acquainted with the operation mode of the Internet economy.

The word "slash" is not only a label, but also the outcome of strength. Female slashers riding winds and breaking waves have reaped diversified and wonderful outcomes in their lives.