Instead I drew cartoons on the back of the note paper, which showed how environmentally aware I was.

Most young people are under the impression that the end of the HKCEE marks their coming of age. Coupled with the particularly long summer holidays afterwards and the huge living expenses these days, with a hamburger set meal setting them back close to $30, they usually can't wait to get a summer job.

However, finding their place in the world of work is no easy task. Since a F. 5 graduate is far from being considered as a "capable worker", an "acceptable member of society" and "having market value", how can a youngster expect to get a job without connections?

Should they just find work at a fast food restaurant selling hamburgers?

Or work at a supermarket cashier?

Or work as a courier?

I remember after interviewing for a few jobs to no avail, I finally gave up my job hunting to spend my long summer holidays at home. In these two months I not only managed to learn how to type, finish reading a lot of fictions, and draw lots of cartoons, but also got to spend time with my family and friends, and do some exercise. This was probably no less rewarding than finding a job to make money.

* Translation from Chinese article.