Amid economic difficulties, many postgraduates in Hanoi have moved to work as workers in their hometowns after failing to find a job in the capital city.

Postgrads looking for opportunities at job bazaar

Few job options

After graduating from the Sociology Faculty of Vietnam National University – Hanoi’s University of Social Science and Humanities, Le Thi Nga was eager to find a job. She searched for employment opportunities and applied to dozens of companies.

Initially, she focused on those having to do with her major, but there were not many companies hiring in her field. She was compelled to widen her search, but still has not found a job.

Nga shared that, of her 80 classmates, only about 8 of them have found stable employment. Some are pursuing higher education while others have just got temporary jobs or are looking for an opportunity.

Nguyen Thi Hanh, a graduate of Vietnam Trade Union University, is also worried about employment. She graduated in June and has applied for several positions, but to no avail.

“It's really frustrating not being able to find steady work, while at the same time I am spending money on rent, food and other daily living costs. There are days when I don't even want to leave my room for fear that somebody will ask me what I do," Hanh said.

Returning home

After months of job-seeking in Hanoi, Nga finally decided to return her hometown in the northern province of Vinh Phuc. Now she works on the production line of a mobile phone manufacturer.

“I am paid VND4 million (USD191.7) per month, plus two meals at the factory and I have to work for 12 hours a day,” she shared.

Her days at the company begin at 7:30am, with a one-hour break for lunch and a half hour later in the day. She says that it is often not even enough time for her to finish her meals.

After graduating from Vietnam Forestry University in June, Trang is currently working as a garment worker in her hometown of Thai Binh City.

“When I passed my university entrance exam, I thought that it would be easy to find a job in economics, but this was not the case. I can't stand living off my parents anymore, so I decided to take on temporary work until something better comes along," she said.

Dung, a recent graduate of Hanoi University of Agriculture with an MA, has decided to work temporarily as a salesgirl at a small fashion shop on Hanoi’s Cau Giay District.

“I plan to work here through Tet, and hopefully next year will bring better opportunities," she said.