2018 was the darkest year since I graduated. I had poured all my passion into a startup, but just eight months in, I found myself lost and eventually gave up. When the Spring Festival of 2019 arrived, I re-entered the workforce as a developer through interviews. I was 25 at the time, inexperienced and unsure of my direction. I felt anxious—how could I compete in the job market now, and how could I establish myself in five years’ time?
My first new job was at a Taiwanese-owned company, a very structured 9-to-5 environment that felt like working on an assembly line. I resigned after just one week. To me, the most important part of any job is feeling that I bring value to the team. That’s the only way I can feel secure—like I won’t be replaced. Clearly, this kind of role wasn’t right for me, and I wasn’t willing to settle.
Working Remotely—and Wrestling with Anxiety
In March 2019, I received an interview invitation from Shinetech. Honestly, I’ve never been great at interviews, but the conversation made me feel that this was a gentle and trustworthy company. When I joined, the Shanghai office was 300 square meters—but almost completely empty. I was intrigued. With over 600 colleagues in the company, where was everyone? That’s when I learned they worked remotely.
It was a brand-new experience for me. I stuck to a strict routine—starting at 8 a.m., leaving at 9 p.m., even going in on weekends. I didn’t have much actual work to do yet, but being physically present in the office gave me a sense of peace. During this time, I began to reassess my career path. I realized I was especially good at analyzing client needs and translating them into clear plans for the development team. That’s when I began defining myself as a project manager with product design capabilities.
Being Seen—and Building Trust Without Ever Meeting
In those early projects, I worked closely with customers to clarify their requirements and discuss solutions with our team. My first project was for a connected vehicle solution with an automotive company; the next was a recommendation system for an overseas client. I’ll never forget the moment a client messaged my manager on WeChat after a long discussion: “The PM is very good.” That single line gave me so much confidence. It felt incredible to be recognized. To this day, we’re still working together.
As time went on, I began actively seeking out projects and taking on more responsibility. Initially, I tagged along with our leaders to client visits in Shanghai, learning how trust is built—not through fancy slides, but through capabilities, service, and sincerity. These experiences changed how I viewed business. Now, when I meet new clients, I introduce our services and team, showcase our previous work, and share what we truly stand for. Over time, many of these clients have become long-term partners—and even friends.
Balancing Motherhood and Work—and Finding My Place
During the harshest months of Shanghai’s 2022 lockdown, I was still holding project meetings daily. I remember one call in particular: I stood on my balcony in the sun, talking to a client from Huzhou about their company and listening to their challenges. We never met in person, and I worried all my efforts—the late nights writing proposals—would be wasted. But in the end, they chose us, even though our quote was higher. The client later said, “I chose you because I trust you.” That moment made me feel seen and deeply valued. When things eased up and we finally met at our office, he even brought us small gifts.
When I first joined Shinetech, I was single. Since then, I’ve grown into a wife, a mother, and a more capable version of myself. For working women with families, the flexibility here—both in schedule and location—is a rare blessing. I’ve always been ambitious, and I couldn’t imagine giving up my career. But having a child means sharing your energy in new ways. I’ve learned to focus entirely when I’m with my child and to be ruthlessly efficient during work hours. I stay clear on what I need to do, what the goal is, and when it needs to be done. That clarity lets me plan my day with purpose, whether I’m working from home or at the office. Even if my child gets sick, I can adjust my schedule, care for her, and then hand over tasks or catch up later.
On holidays, we usually head back to my hometown, Zhengzhou, a bit early. I work for a few days from our Zhengzhou office, spend time with my colleagues there, and let my child reconnect with grandparents. The anxiety and fear many working women feel—I’ve experienced that too. But I was lucky to find the right place for me. Here, I can be needed and trusted. My family hasn’t held back my career—it’s pushed me to think deeper and work smarter. I’m grateful for a kind and supportive team that helps me see my worth every day.
Staying Needed, Staying Distinct
The workplace is like a vast ocean, and each of us is a unique drop of water in it. As long as we maintain our distinctiveness and continue adding value, we can chart our own course. We’ve all felt lost at times and tried different career paths. But those experiences only strengthen my belief: if we stay true to our value, we will always be needed.
Every issue in a project is a chance to sharpen ourselves. Every high-pressure client situation is an opportunity to grow. Through setbacks and breakthroughs, I’ve gained more than technical knowledge—I’ve developed a deeper understanding of myself, my team, and our partners. In the world of software services, tech skills, communication, and management are all equally important. We’re not just writing code—we’re conveying value. That value is in helping our partners succeed. I’ll keep adding wisdom and energy to my small part, creating ripples of my own in this vast sea.