1. I was enrolled in Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in 2009. I chose
Energy and Power Engineering as my major since energy utilization has become an important
issue and it will play an essential role in future. In Fall 2011 I participated “3+2” exchange program
between HUST and Arizona State University (ASU). According to the program, I will finish my
undergraduate study at ASU after I finished my junior study in China. I came to US as a student
in Mechanical Engineering in Aug. 2012. I got a GPA of 4.0 in the first semester at ASU. Based
on the excellent grade, I sent my PHD program application at the beginning of the next semester
and I was admitted. Since then, I started pursing my PHD degree in Fall 2013. My research was
focused on plasmonic local heating, which has broad band applications in energy harvesting and
solar engineering. However, I found it difficult to get funded, which made me worried since I
shouldn’t add financial burden on my parents’ shoulder. Moreover, I didn’t get along well with
my advisor. Therefore, I dropped my PHD study and transferred to Master degree in Fall 2014.
Since I took 2 master courses (6 master credits) in Spring 2013 thanks to the benefit of “3+2”
program, the total master credits was just enough to graduate until I finished the courses in Fall
2014. I didn’t get a chance to find an internship at that time, let alone a full time job opportunity.
I thought I should live on my own and it is unreasonable to ask funding from my parents after I
graduated. Therefore, I decided to work as a cashier in an Asian grocery store in Jan. 2015. I tried
my full potential to provide high quality service to customers. Gradually my performance attracted
the leads and the general manager’s attention. I nearly got a chance to become a lead. At the same
time, I kept on job searching when I was off.
In June 2016, I got a QA/QC technician position in a nutritional product manufacturing company.
My duties included inspecting raw materials and packaging components, performing
microbiological test and performing hourly check in production room. Although this position is
not related to my major, I believed I step a little further. I learnt how to use FTNIR, how to perform
micro test and more importantly, I kept attention to details in mind. Unfortunately, I got laid off
after 2 months. My former supervisor admired my diligence and attitude, therefore he referred me
a QA technician position in ANS, which is my current job. I’m really grateful for his grand
assistance, which in return becomes the momentum of keeping up hard work after I start working
in ANS. I tried my best to apply the knowledge and experience acquired from school and previous
working places to this position even though this position does not have a strong relation to my
background. I adjusted myself to the work environment and mastered the required skills of my
duties as quick as possible. During the Christmas party held by the end of 2015, I got a $50 gift
card reward. I was surprised to get this reward because I just started working in ANS for about 2
months! I believe ANS has accepted my effort and diligence.
Meanwhile, I always remember finding a position that related to my background. Moreover, I
gradually realized that I should keep the concept of life-long learning in my mind. In my opinion,
it is not only for finding a desired job, but also pursuing a better life. From rethinking my
experience and lessons in the past from doing research at ASU to my current position, I think I
should be more self-motivated and take action in pursuing a better life. I’ll try my best to get every
opportunity and express myself with passion.