Jobs in Shenzhen, China

In 1979, the Chinese government created the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone to introduce capitalist economic policies into a predominantly communist Chinese system. It was the first and most successful of these experiments, and, in just 20 years, Shenzhen grew from a small fishing port to one of the largest cities in modern China. Today, foreign workers make up the majority of the population and lend their expertise to factories, IT businesses, software companies, and schools.

Short term jobs and summer jobs vs. long term jobs. Whether you’re looking for jobs in Shenzhen for a couple of months to a couple of years, you’ll find a position that fits in your time framework. Most of the internships and entry-level business jobs are for a couple of months or during the summer, but the teaching jobs are more long-term. If you’re interested in working in Shenzhen during the summer, just keep in mind that the weather will be hot and humid. 

Popular work fields. Two of the biggest draws to this foreign-invested city are computer science and technology. Because the government literally designed it this way, Shenzhen is also one of China’s leaders in international trade. Education is another sector that draws in foreign workers. While experience is appreciated, teachers have been known to be hired off the street by enterprising new schools looking for native speakers. 

Paid vs. unpaid jobs in Shenzhen. Almost all Shenzhen jobs are paid, and if they are unpaid, then they usually offer some good benefits. Most jobs for foreigners pay enough to not worry too much about budgeting. There are many ways to save in this country, so expenses differ greatly based on individuals. There are plenty of chances to make money, spend it reasonably, and still manage to save up some moolah to take away.