A career in journalism is much desired by young people in China, according to an online survey by a job hunting website, because of the opportunities for personal growth.

In a survey conducted earlier this month of more than 7,000 people of various professions by www.zhaopin.com, 70 percent of those who responded said they admired a journalism career as the profession provided greater access to learn more about the world and different cultures.

About 62 percent noted that if they had a chance to choose their profession again, they would select journalism because "journalists have more opportunities to learn about the world and the job is very challenging".

Another nine percent wanted to be in the media because "journalists enjoy flexible hours and decent income".

The respondents also realized the drawbacks of the profession in a heavy workload, irregular working hours and an excessive amount of business trips that keep them away from home, the survey said.

Zhaopin employment consultants said the statistics revealed that employees in such professions as advertising and education were more willing to make a change to journalism.

The company also said that for many children born in the 1980s,those products of the single-child policy, for them, they wanted jobs that were interesting, attractive and challenging.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2007)