BEIJING - Respondents in a survey were divided over college students seeking part-time jobs as couriers, according to an article published in Thursday's edition of the China Youth Daily.

The survey, which polled 2,008 people, found that more than 40 percent of people believed that being a courier may be a waste of the college students' talent, while over 30 percent did not agree.

Moreover, 50.6 percent of respondents said all careers should be viewed equally.

In the survey, about 48.9 percent of the people expressed concerns that being a part-time courier may disturb the students' study.

Others worried that being a courier would not bring the students much personal development.

The newspaper article quoted college graduate Ma Hairui as saying that he believes his past experience as a part-time courier was worthwhile as he has improved his communication skills and his understanding of the delivery industry.

Over 58 percent of the survey respondents also agreed that being a part-time courier could help college students better understand society.

Xia Rui, a teacher with Lanzhou University, told the newspaper that working part-time, including as a courier, may give students a chance to experience and understand another profession outside their own majors.

People in the survey also noted that the students' own interests, ideals, persistence and flexibility are important in their career paths.

The express delivery industry has been booming in China. Statistics released by the State Post Bureau last month revealed that the sector's business revenues in the first quarter this year have topped 98 billion yuan (14.2 billion U.S. dollars), registering year-on-year growth of 27.4 percent.

Express delivery businesses nationwide have handled about 7.6 billion parcels during this period, according to the bureau.