"Taiwanese people receive low salaries, but they have dreams," Tina Sou, a sophomore in University of Macau said. Sou is very interested in art, but she has chosen her major in business. "It is difficult to be an artist in Macao, and it's hard to find a job, business on the other hand can give me a stable life," She said.

 

After all, reality and dream, money and passion, which is more important?

 

The choices of young people in Macao and Taiwan are totally opposite. "22K", is now a term shared by most of the youth in Taiwan which refers to the frustration of low income. The average income of new graduates in Taiwan is about 22K (equivalent to MOP 5,800). Although young people feel very helpless in their life, most of them can find jobs they love. On the contrary, young people in Macao earn higher salaries, as new graduates in Macao on average have a monthly salary estimated at MOP 15,000 but the jobs seldom relate to their majors.

 

Actually, this situation reflects the differences in society. Macao is a very prosperous city while the government and business can offer high salaries. However, the significant disadvantage of Macao is that it is so tiny, and there are limited career opportunities. According to the statistic from the Macau Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC), there are 10 categories of careers in Macao, and almost 45% of people work in hotel and casino industries. Therefore, some people find it hard to have jobs they love. Sou said that most people in Macao choose jobs with stable income instead of their "dream jobs".

 

In Taiwan, it isn't difficult to devote to careers people love. Nevertheless, the salary rate has been a "deplorable" situation to employees for many years, which is attributed to the economic recession. Tanya Fan, a fresh graduate in Taiwan, works in a big advertising company. She loves her job, but the salary is MOP7,300 a month, and her working hours are over 14 hours a day. Sometimes, she has to work on weekends.

 

Salary is not the only standard in job selection for Taiwanese people. "I will choose the job I love instead of the job l dislike even if it offers a high salary," Fan said. Even when people don't have enough money for the "next meal", most Taiwanese people would still be courageous to chase their dreams despite the low salaries.

 

Clarisse da Silva is a Macanese who just graduated from a university in Taiwan. She has decided to come back to Macao to work after her graduation. "The workload in Taiwan is beyond the salary I might receive," Silva said. She added that if she works in Taiwan, she will have to pay for the rent of the apartment. Silva's major is Public Relations and Advertising, and the PR industry is popular in both Taiwan and Macao nowadays. After comparing the salary and the condition, Silva considered returning to Macao as the best choice. So far, she has sent an application to PR departments of local resorts, and aims to be an outstanding PR practitioner.

 

Fresh graduates in the two places, Taiwan and Macao, have their own concerns, and everyone has a different attitude towards challenges. Regardless of the salaries, it is advised that everyone should keep a positive attitude in their jobs and lives. Choose what you love, and love what you choose!