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Alice Yan

A therapist in China who works on the side at a waste recycling station and earns more than she does in her main job has trended on social media.
The 26-year-old, surnamed Xiong, works full-time at the rehabilitation department of a small private hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan province, southwestern China.
She has attracted much attention online by sharing her daily life working with recyclables, the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald reported.
Xiong’s day at the hospital starts at 8am and ends at 5.30pm.

After getting off work, she goes directly to the nearby waste recycling station.
The station, which mainly deals with metal waste, is owned and operated by her parents.
Xiong helps them sort, carry, transport and sell the recyclables. They usually finish their tasks at about 9pm and go home together.
Besides Xiong’s help, her parents also employ two staff to work machines and drive lorries.
Xiong earns 4,000 yuan (US$550) a month at the hospital.

While she does not receive a formal salary from her parents, they often give her pin money, which in total surpasses the income from her full-time job.
She said she is used to the strenuous work at the recycling station because she has helped her parents there since she was a child.
“My parents make money from this industry. I do not feel resistant to it at all,” Xiong was quoted as saying.
“If I do more, they can do less. Also, I have learned a survival skill,” she added.
Thanks to years of manual labour, Xiong has also developed strong arm muscles.
Metal waste is generally not as dirty as other types, according to Xiong.
“I have switched my roles between my full-time job and this sideline one. I pay careful attention to personal hygiene while working at the hospital,” she said.

Xiong’s story has become a hot topic of discussion online.
“What an excellent girl! She is capable, diligent and filial to her parents,” said one internet user.
Another person agreed: “I salute this young lady. Her parents should be proud of having such a hard-working and sensible daughter.”
Earlier this year, another medical employee, who works at the clinical laboratory of a hospital in Zhejiang province, eastern China, also captivated social media.
The employee operates a food stall in the evening when he is off duty and claims to earn 20,000 yuan (US$2,800) a month from doing so.


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While Xiong’s work at the hospital pays her a steady salary, the pin money she receives for her work dealing with waste amounts to more. Photo: Shutterstock

Xiong says her strenuous sideline job has allowed her to develop physical strength, unlike for example a sedentary office position. Photo: Simon Song

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People & Culture

Full-time rehab therapist finishes day job before sorting, carrying waste metal at parent’s recycling firm, builds strong arm muscles


Full-time rehab therapist finishes day job before sorting, carrying waste metal at parent’s recycling firm, builds strong arm muscles.


China jobs

China therapist collects waste on side, earns more than in clinical position

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Full-time rehab therapist finishes day job before sorting, carrying waste metal at parent’s recycling firm, builds strong arm muscles

Full-time rehab therapist finishes day job before sorting, carrying waste metal at parent’s recycling firm, builds strong arm muscles