AN UNUSUAL JOB

Amena Schlaijker probably has one of the most unusual jobs in the world. While everyone writes emails, checks reports or have long meetings with people, Amena does things that no one can even think of. For her job she asks people to cluck like chickens. Sometimes, she tells them to imagine that they are toothbrushes. They may seem strange but these are actually both learning exercises. They are designed to help students and businesspeople think more creatively in China.

China is known for having one of the best education systems in the world. Students spend hours at school and home learning. Students who work hard become great workers but they lack something; creativity. Now the new goal of the country is teaching creativity.

This request came from the president of China. He said that Chinese people needed more jobs. In the past, Chinese workers were making products for other countries. But recently in China, worker pay and land prices are rising. Because of that, fewer countries want to use China to make their products. China wants to have a more important place in world economy and that’s why they must begin inventing its own products.

Yet, most Chinese workers don’t have that capacity to come up with new ideas. The country’s colleges fail to develop creative thinking skills and Chinese people don’t have that creativity. China wants to solve this problem. The country is taking steps to encourage creativity. They have decided to hire trainers like Amena Schlaijker from around the world. These trainers run creative-thinking classes.

“Everyone felt awkward at first, but it definitely changed the way we think. We were doing strange things. At one point I was imitating a happy Italian bird. It sounds very strange but I think our trainer was great. She helped us think differently. We also learned that we could actually enjoy our jobs. Maybe I should become a creativity trainer too,’’ said a participant from one of the most prestigious companies in China.