WHILE many college graduates are trying hard to land their first jobs, Shenzhen University senior Wu Guixi has already been given a position in the municipal civil affairs bureau.

Wu and five other college students, all from low-income families in the city, were given employee ID cards by Mayor Xu Zongheng yesterday. Last year the civil affairs bureau and the personnel bureau reserved 10 posts for college graduates from Shenzhen families living on government welfare handouts.

Of the six students, who were chosen after a strict selection process, two are from Shenzhen University and two are from Shenzhen Polytechnic. One student is from Jinan University, while the other one is from Zhongshan University. They will be working in the Shenzhen army retired cadres management center under the civil affairs bureau.

The families of the six students are among the city's more than 5,000 households living on welfare, with an individual monthly income lower than 361 yuan (US$ 46.3). The fathers of the three of the students passed away early.

When they start work, they will earn a monthly salary of about 4,000 yuan, greatly helping their families come out of poverty, said Liu Runhua, director general of the bureau.

The students have also received financial aid from a program funding college students from low-income Shenzhen families. The program, which was launched in 2004, has funded 86 college students in 2004, a total of 360 students in 2005 and 483 students last year. "Our slogan is never let one Shenzhen student drop out of school because of poverty," said Liu

Wu, who is majoring in law, said: "When drink water, remember the well digger. We will work hard to improve the family livelihood and repay the society."

Xu encouraged the six new recruits to cherish their jobs and work hard to repay society.

Editor: Wing