As a post-90s female developer based in Shanghai, I want to share my story amidst this winter season where layoffs and unemployment are frequently discussed: identifying one’s strengths, positioning oneself as a needed individual, thereby finding a sense of security. Professionally, I transitioned from confusion to a clear career direction; personally, I evolved from being single to becoming a wife and mother. While it might not label me as a life winner, it is indeed the person I aspire to be.
After the failure of my startup, I started over
2018 was the darkest year for me since graduation. I had passionately attempted to start a business, but just 8 months later, I found myself in deep confusion and ultimately chose to give up.
The Spring Festival of 2019 marked a new beginning for me. I re-entered the workforce as a developer through interviews. At that time, I was 25, and the little experience I had made me feel perplexed. I was anxious about how to compete in the market at that moment and how to establish myself in the market over the next five years.
I first joined a Taiwanese-funded company, working routine nine-to-five shifts in what felt like an “assembly line” existence. A week later, I quit. For me, the most important aspect of a job is seeing my value within a team; only then can I feel secure and not be weeded out. Clearly, the “assembly line” type of work was not suitable for me, nor was I resigned to it.
Working from home, but I'm filled with anxiety
In March 2019, I received an interview invitation from Shinetech. Honestly, I wasn’t very good at interviews, but after talking with the interviewer, I felt this was a very amicable company. When I first entered the company, the 300 square meter office was almost empty except for me. This piqued my curiosity about this company of more than 600 colleagues, and later, I learned that they could work from home. This was an unusual experience for me. I maintained my routine, starting work at 8 a.m., leaving at 9 p.m., and even going to the office on weekends. Although there wasn’t that much work for me to do, I always felt that only being in the office could reassure me.
At this point, I began to reassess my career and find a suitable position for myself. I realized that I excel at analyzing client needs and translating those requirements into products for the team, so I defined myself as a project manager capable of product development.
Initially, I focused on gathering and analyzing customer needs and discussing solutions with the team. My first project involved collaborating with an automotive company to provide them with a connected vehicle solution. Additionally, I worked with a foreign enterprise to offer them an order recommendation system.
What left a profound impression on me, and for which I am still very grateful, was a compliment from a client. After several discussions about requirements, she messaged my boss on WeChat saying “The PM is very good.” This boosted my confidence significantly. Feeling appreciated is a wonderful experience, and we have maintained a close working relationship to this day.
Take on more responsibilities
As time progressed, I began to expand my comprehensive abilities, actively sought projects, and took on more responsibilities. Initially, during the process of securing projects, the leaders would bring me to Shanghai to visit clients together, where I learned the process of client conversion, breaking my previous perceptions. Here, there were no fancy PowerPoint presentations; cooperation was established through technology and capability, service, and sincerity.
Now, every time I visit a new client, I introduce them to our company, services, team, showcase projects we’ve completed, and convey our philosophy. To date, I have interacted with countless clients. Many of these clients have become friends through project collaborations and have also turned into long-term clients of the company.
Building Trust and cooperation without meeting in person
During the most severe period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai in 2022, from March to June when lockdown measures were in place, I still worked every day, holding project meetings punctually. What touched me the most was that, during that time, a client from Huzhou contacted us. I had my first phone call with the client while working on my balcony, bathed in sunlight, discussing the company’s situation. Through continuous communication, I delved deeply into his needs and provided solutions.
Admittedly, there were moments when I felt discouraged, worrying that if the client ultimately didn’t choose us, all the effort and sleepless nights spent on crafting proposals would be in vain. To my surprise, despite being locked down at home and without the client having met us in person, merely by listening to me explain my ideas and understanding repeatedly, they chose us, even though our quote was higher.
Later, he mentioned that he chose us because he had developed a strong trust in us through our communications. From then on, we established a long-term cooperative relationship. At that moment, I truly saw my own value. When the situation improved and we returned to the office, we arranged a meeting with the client there, who even brought small gifts for us.
Being a wife and mother
When I joined Shinetech, I was single. Here, I went through the most crucial growth phase of my life, spent the golden age of youth, and started a family. For women with families, the company’s flexibility regarding work hours and location is a blessing I’ve encountered in my career.
Considering myself to be very career-oriented, I couldn’t accept being just a homemaker, but after having a small family, it did require dividing my energy more. As my child grew, being a mother meant I needed to do certain things for her growth. For instance, I believe the most important thing is companionship, so between raising my child and working, I pursue two goals: striving for focus when with my child and aiming for efficiency at work.
At work, as a project manager, I insist on clearly knowing what I am doing, what goals need to be achieved, and by when. With this premise, I plan how to proceed, when to do it, and how to be more efficient. Thus, by controlling my time and thought process, I can flexibly divide and arrange my time, choosing whether to work from home or the office. Even occasionally when my child is sick, I can coordinate flexibly, take care of her, and then complete my tasks after handing off to a teammate.
During holidays, we travel back to our hometown Zhengzhou from Shanghai a bit earlier, work at the Zhengzhou branch office for some time, spend a few days interacting with colleagues there, discuss projects, and also allow my child and the elderly to return home early.
The anxiety and fear experienced by women in the workplace are inevitable; I have gone through that unease. Fortunately, I found the right niche in a suitable environment where my family did not affect my work but instead prompted me to think more about how to solve problems efficiently. Today, I am very grateful for the relaxed atmosphere of our team, which allows me to manage both work and family without any conflicts. I appreciate such a kind-hearted team that enables me to see my own value in a comfortable setting.
Confidence in the future stems from always being needed
The workplace is like a vast ocean, and each of us is a unique drop of water in this ocean. As long as we can maintain our distinctiveness and continuously add new value to ourselves, we can find our own course in this vast sea of the workplace.
We have all experienced moments of confusion, tried different career directions, and it is these experiences that make me more firmly believe: as long as we do not lose sight of our own value, we will always be needed in the workplace.
Every issue in a project is an opportunity for refinement, and every high-pressure situation with a client is a chance for growth. The experience of constantly rising from difficulties allows our understanding to gradually improve. Over the years, what I’ve learned extends beyond technical knowledge to a deeper understanding of myself, the team, and the clients.
In the software services industry, capabilities in technology, management, and communication are equally important. It is this comprehensive proficiency in multiple areas that enables us to ensure the smooth progress and high-quality delivery of projects. We are not just creators of code, but also conveyors of value. Our value lies in best satisfying our clients’ needs; through our efforts, the value of our clients can be fully realized. In the future, I am also willing to continue striving, injecting more wisdom and energy into my small part, and adding my unique ripples to this ocean.