Uncharted roads toward professional triumph

CHINA DAILY

Explore the lives of young individuals who chose the "scenic route", proving that sometimes the less-traveled path leads to the most remarkable destinations, Meng Wenjie reports.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference."

These verses, crafted by the American poet Robert Frost (1874-1963), depict the internal conflicts that many grapple with when faced with choices.

Nowadays, a lot of young people find themselves at the crossroads of conformity and personal aspirations, torn between conventional careers aligned with societal norms and the less-trodden paths that echo their inner passions. Lin Xi is one of the latter.

Lin, 25, a law major who graduated from China University of Political Science and Law, has been passionate about video games since childhood. Despite facing criticism from his parents, he often visited his friends' houses to play games.

During college, he stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity in e-sports commentary. "I was taking a break in the middle of a game and suddenly realized that the commentator at the time didn't have a partner. So, I tried it, and it didn't seem too challenging for me," he said.

This opportunity led Lin to start a career as a freelance e-sports commentator, driven by a rebellious spirit and a determination to prove to his parents that gaming could be a viable means of self-support. "It's not just a way for me to kill time," he said.

However, upon approaching graduation, Lin encountered challenges in securing stable employment. After an unsuccessful attempt to become a League of Legends Pro League (LPL) commentator — something he truly likes — Lin thought that maybe he should settle for a job in his field of study. So he soon found a position as a paralegal at a law firm. Yet, this experience made him realize that office work wasn't his true calling.

Six months later, Lin parted ways with the legal profession, only to face the additional hurdle of the COVID-19 pandemic which adversely impacted the e-sports industry.

Under survival pressure, Lin experimented with roles as an escape room NPC (non-player character), and as a host for scripted murder role-playing games. "I'm bold enough to try anything I'm interested in," he said, discovering a new industry that attracted him.

Transitioning from a game commentator to a scripted murder game operator within just three years of graduating, Lin navigated a diverse professional path.

"I've enjoyed the spotlight on the commentary stage and also experienced what it's like to be hungry when I couldn't find a job," he said.

"At every crossroads in life, I have chosen a risky way to move forward. But I don't regret it. I have developed into my desired self."

Usefulness of "uselessness"

Shen Yue, 26, was born in East China's Shandong province, a region that many people believe prioritizes secure, officially-budgeted positions such as civil service. However, Shen's decision to dive into the unpredictable world of full-time video blogging after graduating in 2019, with a focus on the popular game League of Legends (LOL), raised eyebrows.

Initially, Shen's family supported his entrepreneurial venture, but when he struggled to make ends meet within the first year, they began to advise him to seek a more secure job. But Shen remained resolute and persisted with his chosen path.

A turning point in Shen's journey occurred at the start of this year when he posted a seemingly whimsical video, replacing the D and F keys on a keyboard, crucial for in-game character actions, with a foot pedal.

Describing it as a "pointless invention" created for humor, Shen admitted that the video initially received limited attention. But a message from a viewer who had lost an arm in a car accident changed everything.

The viewer, who relied on one hand to play games, sought guidance on creating a similar foot pedal.

"I hadn't realized that there would be disabled players in need of this kind of pedal," Shen said.

Despite his limited knowledge of circuit-building, he managed to produce 10 different foot pedals and traveled to Chongqing to personally assist the player in installation, gaining valuable feedback.

"Due to physical limitations, this player could only operate two simple game characters," Shen explained. However, with this device, which allows the player to pedal with his foot, he can now play games like a regular person using a keyboard.

Recognizing the diverse needs of disabled players nationwide, Shen started providing free assistance in crafting these devices. The continuous feedback loop within the community spurred Shen to refine and improve his inventions constantly.

Shen's videos recording his experiences touched and resonated with many internet users, earning him the title of the true "legend" of LOL. "I'm honored to receive this praise. But the real legends were the audience whose support had shed light on the needs of disabled players," he said. "E-sports should be inclusive of everyone, including those with disabilities."

Walking the walk

At the age of 28, Sheng Yawei is currently enjoying a working holiday in New Zealand.

The story began in May 2020, a year before Sheng would complete his master's degree at Communication University of China. Instead of pursuing internships in major companies like his peers, he opted to work as a delivery man.

"The flexible work hours allowed me to take orders and stop whenever I wanted. In addition, I didn't have to engage with people frequently," Sheng explained. "I felt like this job was a perfect fit for me."

He used an ordinary household electric scooter for deliveries, covering about 30 kilometers before needing a recharge. When the battery ran out, he would call his father to bring him another one. "My family is open-minded," he said. "My dad was very supportive."

After officially graduating in 2021, Sheng managed to secure a stable job in a major internet company involved in the online education industry. However, due to a policy change, his department soon faced layoffs. "The job was monotonous anyway so I felt relieved," he said.

At that time, Sheng made the thoughtful decision to apply for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV).However, it wasn't impulsive; when he was 17, he had witnessed his best friend embark on a working vacation in New Zealand, and he learned back then that such opportunities were only available to young people between 18 and 30. "There's no chance after my thirties," he said. "It's something that has been on my bucket list."

In February this year, Sheng boarded a flight to Auckland, New Zealand, where he, again, worked as a delivery man. Embracing the freedom of his job, he used his free time to explore Auckland.

"Now, I'm heading south of the country, hoping to explore the entire island during this vacation," he said.

Opting for a career as a courier may seem unconventional for a master's degree graduate from a prestigious university. However, Sheng believes that every experience paves its own way.

"Recognizing that I was well-suited for and enjoyed working as a courier enabled me to take up this relatively easy and lucrative job opportunity when I first entered New Zealand with limited options," Sheng said.

"Life is a process of exploration. While others may walk a straight line, I took many detours and saw a lot of scenery on this winding road. Through this journey, I have found something I truly love in life, and that makes it all worthwhile."

Laughing through life

"Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot." This quote from Charlie Chaplin perfectly captures Liu Ziqian's journey as a stand-up comedian.

Observing this 24-year-old in his everyday life, one might struggle to connect the seemingly introverted young man, with his long hair and nail paintings, to the vibrant stand-up comedian who effortlessly lights up the stage.

Since childhood, Liu has always liked to wear long hair. "I used to face judgment as a kid because many people mistook me for a girl," he recalled.

And this led to discrimination and covert bullying. Liu was once screamed at in the men's restroom for being mistaken as a girl, but he was yelled at even more when it was revealed that he was a boy and was told that boys should not wear their hair long.

During high school, Liu was frustrated by the strict school policies restricting boys from growing their hair long, thinking that these policies were regressive. He tried to communicate with the school authorities, but he was met with a dismissive response.

Feeling isolated and disappointed, Liu made the bold decision to drop out in 2016, continuing his education at a private school in Singapore.

Surrounded by roommates from different countries, it was there that Liu discovered a more diverse environment. "I realized that everyone can be accepted by the world," he said.

In March 2021, Liu started his career as a stand-up comedian. "I think comedy is about sharing what we've suffered."

For example, his experiences of being treated as a girl allowed him to connect with and address issues commonly faced by females.

Despite the pain, Liu received acclaim for his resilience, optimism, and the ability to share these experiences on stage — the initial source of strength that comedy provided him.

"We cannot escape misery in life, but I believe that being able to laugh about it is a way of overcoming it. Even though many of the topics I talk about still bother me, sharing them is part of my self-healing process," Liu said.

Reflecting on his decision to leave the ivory tower at the age of 14, he believes it was a positive decision. "If I were still on top of it today, the content I produce may lose its root and authenticity."

While the unconventional career choices of people like the four youngsters above may be admired by those confined to office buildings, they've all acknowledged that the less-traveled path comes with many challenges.

In contrast to their peers with stable jobs, they often face more obstacles, uncertainty, and difficult moments. But they are also more courageous in making the decision to persist in the face of adversity without regrets.

As Lin puts it, "Every experience I have had has made me who I am now."

Contact the writer at mengwenjie@i21st.cn