“A Tsinghua Graduate Applying for a Security Guard Job? Is This a Joke?”配资门户官方网站查询
In 2013, a news story about a Tsinghua University graduate returning to his hometown to work as a security guard sparked a heated debate across the internet.
The individual in question, Zhang Xiaoyong, had been celebrated as a genius since his youth. At seventeen, he was accepted into Tsinghua University as the top scorer in his science stream, earning widespread admiration in his hometown. However, five years after graduation, he shocked everyone by quitting his job at a foreign enterprise and choosing to return to his village to become a security guard.
展开剩余94%Why would someone with such a bright future abandon it all for such a mundane job? What circumstances led to his surprising decision?
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The Rise of Zhang Xiaoyong: From Genius to Security Guard
In June 1991, Zhang Xiaoyong walked into the college entrance examination hall with the encouraging gazes of his teachers and parents. That year, he made headlines by scoring over 700 points, setting a new record for his local region. The media hailed him as a “genius boy.”
When asked about his dream university, his answer was always clear: Tsinghua University.
According to his teachers, Zhang was always among the top students, demonstrating not only exceptional intelligence but also sharp logical thinking and a clear mind. His parents were proud of him, as he was always self-disciplined and focused on his goal of attending Tsinghua University.
While his peers were enjoying their summer vacations, Zhang was already preparing for his university journey. He spent countless hours researching biology programs, determined to become a biological researcher and contribute to China’s scientific community.
Despite being offered a direct recommendation for admission, Zhang decided to take the entrance exam in order to pursue his passion for biology. His efforts paid off, and shortly after, he received an admission letter from Tsinghua. Despite the pride and praise from relatives and friends, he remained grounded and calm, focused on his journey to Beijing.
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The Pressure of Tsinghua and Career Crossroads
Upon entering Tsinghua University, Zhang quickly realized the competition was far more intense than he had ever anticipated. Among a sea of equally gifted students, the pressure to excel intensified. To stay on top, he dedicated himself even more to his studies. Although he couldn't quite top the class rankings, he remained among the best.
During his four years at Tsinghua, Zhang worked diligently and had an enriching academic experience. Upon graduation, he was filled with passion and optimism, determined to contribute to the nation's scientific endeavors.
Given his impressive academic background, a bright future seemed within reach. However, the reality was more complex. At that time, China was following a dual-track distribution system, offering Zhang two distinct paths: accept the state’s allocation to a designated unit, or venture into the job market on his own.
This dilemma weighed heavily on his mind. Choosing the state allocation meant he would have no say in his job or placement, which introduced a sense of uncertainty. Ultimately, Zhang decided to explore campus recruitment, carefully sifting through countless job advertisements to ensure he made the right choice.
After much consideration, Zhang selected Procter & Gamble (P&G), a reputable multinational corporation. He was attracted to P&G’s robust research and development (R&D) department, where he hoped to make a meaningful contribution. Given his background as a Tsinghua graduate, it wasn’t long before he received an offer.
Despite the limited job prospects for his specialized biology degree, Zhang’s passion for scientific research kept him hopeful. However, after he accepted the offer, the company’s human resources department placed him in the sales department instead of the R&D division. When he inquired about this, HR explained that it was standard procedure: new employees were expected to undergo a stint in sales before being transferred to R&D.
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The Struggles of Adaptation and Career Disillusionment
Initially, Zhang accepted the explanation and threw himself into the sales role, despite his discomfort. Having focused primarily on academics his entire life, he struggled with the interpersonal demands of sales, where communication and emotional intelligence were key.
Even though every day was a struggle, Zhang kept reminding himself to stay calm, absorb as much as he could, and adjust to the corporate culture. However, after two months, it became clear that the sales job was not a good fit. His performance was subpar compared to his colleagues, and his manager quickly recognized that this role was not suitable for him.
In response, Zhang was moved to the customer service department, but this only deepened his sense of confusion and frustration. He had hoped to enter the R&D department, but instead, he found himself trapped in a cycle of misplacement.
When Zhang expressed his concerns to his manager, he was told that the customer service role would be easier—less pressure, no sales targets, and fewer face-to-face interactions. The manager’s words felt like a blow to Zhang’s spirit, but he held onto the hope that one day he might eventually be transferred to R&D.
Years passed, and after five years of working in customer service, Zhang had risen to the position of supervisor. But during this time, he had gone from an enthusiastic young graduate to a demotivated “employee” with little sense of purpose.
One day, Zhang overheard a conversation among colleagues that shattered his long-held belief about the company. The R&D department wasn’t located in China; it was based overseas. Domestic operations were solely focused on sales. This revelation hit Zhang hard. The R&D dream he had been chasing for years was nothing more than an illusion. He felt betrayed and disillusioned by the company.
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A Major Life Decision: Leaving Corporate Life for Family and Personal Fulfillment
When Zhang realized his dreams of scientific research were never going to materialize at P&G, he felt a deep sense of loss. The five years he had spent working in customer service now felt like a waste. What was next for him? Should he quit and try to move into an R&D role elsewhere? But with five years of customer service experience, would he even be able to transition into another company’s research department?
Around this time, Zhang received troubling news from home: his father had been diagnosed with uremia and was bedridden. This news only added to his frustration, and he began to question his life choices. His career had been far from fulfilling, and now he had a sick parent to care for. Torn between his work and family responsibilities, Zhang requested a transfer back to his hometown to be with his father. However, the company rejected his request, citing a lack of open positions.
Faced with the impossibility of balancing work and family, Zhang made the difficult decision to quit his job and return home. Upon arriving, he was devastated by the sight of his father’s deteriorating health. He realized how little he had been present for his parents and felt guilty for not having been there when they needed him most.
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Returning to Hometown: A Shift in Career and Values
Zhang’s decision to resign was seen as an exemplary act by his fellow villagers. While everyone was surprised by his decision to forgo a promising career, Zhang knew that leaving P&G had brought him a sense of relief. His primary responsibility now was to care for his parents.
Soon after, Zhang began his job search in his hometown. Realizing that the opportunities in research were few and far between, he reluctantly took up a sales position in the real estate sector. Despite his discomfort with the job, Zhang persisted, pushing himself to meet the demands. However, his lack of social skills and low sales performance led to growing dissatisfaction.
After two years, Zhang reached a breaking point and decided to quit. He was now 30, with a growing sense of anxiety about his future. In the meantime, he had married and started a family, further intensifying the pressure to provide for his loved ones.
One day, through a friend, Zhang learned that a ceramic market was hiring. He didn’t want to miss the opportunity and rushed to attend the interview. To his surprise, the position was for a security guard, a role he never imagined himself in. Having faced repeated setbacks in his career, Zhang entered the interview room without much expectation.
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The Decision to Become a Security Guard and Personal Fulfillment
The hiring manager was initially shocked to see a Tsinghua graduate applying for such a low-status position. After confirming that Zhang hadn’t made a mistake, the manager, still surprised, decided to proceed with the interview. Zhang, undeterred by the unusual situation, thought, “Why not? At least it’s a job, and it’s no risk.”
Thus, Zhang became a security guard, a decision that was met with widespread confusion and criticism. How could a Tsinghua graduate with so much potential choose such a lowly profession? It seemed almost incomprehensible to many.
However, Zhang found unexpected happiness in this job. Unlike his previous roles, the work was peaceful, with no constant phone calls or pressure to interact with others. Though the salary was modest, he appreciated the lack of overtime and the flexibility the job provided. Most importantly, it gave him the time to care for his parents, wife, and children.
As time passed, Zhang began to embrace his new role. His wife supported his decision, understanding that it allowed them to live a more content and balanced life. Despite his newfound satisfaction, Zhang refused to attend any class reunions, feeling that he no longer belonged to the same world as his former classmates. He believed that personal happiness was more important than external validation.
By 2013, Zhang had earned a property management certification, becoming one of the first to do so. Even as a security guard, he continued to make strides in his career. Over time, the opinions of those around him shifted, and when they spoke of him, they expressed admiration for his unique path.
After media coverage of his story配资门户官方网站查询, many of his old classmates reached out to offer
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