"The top student of all top students" suddenly falls into unemployment
Yuan Zhao studied at prestigious universities in China and the world . However, he suddenly became unemployed, and in the end, Yuan Zhao decided to become a "shipper" specializing in delivering food.
The story of Ding Yuanzhao has sparked debates in the Chinese online community about the practical value of academic education in modern society.
Dinh Vien Chieu is called "the top scholar of top scholars" by the Chinese online community, implying his outstanding academic ability (Photo: 163).
Yuan Zhao graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Tsinghua University (China). He continued his studies for a master's degree in energy and resource engineering from Peking University (China).
After that, Vien Chieu studied for a master's degree in biodiversity at Oxford University (UK). He continued his doctorate in biology at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
After completing a study process that lasted more than a decade, Vien Chieu was accepted as a postdoctoral researcher at the National University of Singapore.
It was thought that his academic journey would lead him to prestigious positions in research institutes, universities or international corporations. However, in March 2024, Vien Chieu's research contract at the National University of Singapore ended without being renewed.
He fell into a situation where he had no income and had to start looking for a job to be able to support his life in Singapore. What surprised Vien Chieu was that he completely failed in his job search.
He sent out a series of applications but received no response. The jobs and companies that Vien Chieu thought were suitable for him did not give him a chance to try.
He had to put aside his passion for research to work as a food delivery driver in Singapore. Every day, he worked 11 to 12 hours, rain or shine.
Although the work is hard, his income is stable. On average, Vien Chieu earns 50-100 Singapore dollars/day (equivalent to 1-2 million VND). On Sundays alone, he can earn more than 250 Singapore dollars (more than 5 million VND).
Honest work in foreign land and a message in turbulent times
In fact, the income of delivery staff in Singapore is not low. The fact that Yuan Zhao - a highly educated person willing to work hard in a foreign country - has made the Chinese online community think that it is time to eliminate the prejudice that "well-educated people do not know how to suffer", or the prejudice about "high-class and lowly jobs".
When sharing his story of “survival” in a foreign land, Vien Chieu hopes to bring the most realistic perspective to the Chinese online community. He provides a series of degrees and certificates to prove the authenticity of his story.
Dinh Vien Chieu currently works as a food delivery person in Singapore (Photo: 163).
At this time, candidates in China have just passed the university entrance exam, Yuan Zhao sent a message to the candidates: “Whether the exam results are good or bad, you still have to maintain a stable mindset. If you do not do well on the exam, do not be too pessimistic or desperate. If you do well on the exam, then in fact, in the future, who knows, your job might not be much different.
I am delivering food, also a way to serve the needs of society, to support myself, to work hard but honestly. I also receive a stable income, so this is also a good job."
Ding Yuanzhao’s story sparked controversy among Chinese netizens. One netizen wrote: “Real life is indeed cruel. Now, if you want to deliver food, you have to compete with people who have studied abroad and even have a PhD?” Many others asked: “So, in the end, what is the point of going to university and then going on to higher education?”
There is a reality happening in many countries, that is, prestigious degrees sometimes become barriers, making employers afraid to “use a butcher knife to kill a chicken”, they fear that the candidate is too good to be suitable for the job position. Meanwhile, many research institutes have become overloaded with personnel.
Vien Chieu's story is seen by many Chinese netizens as a blow to the mentality of worshiping degrees in social life in this country of billions of people.
Many people ask: "If a degree is no longer a ticket to a higher social ladder, how should the value of education and degrees be redefined now?"
Many people even question the authenticity of Vien Chieu's story. Was he really helpless in his previous job search? Or was he implementing a communication strategy to increase his appeal on social networks, where any "irony" can create appeal?
Perhaps, Vien Chieu's story is a mixture of both of the above factors. But in the end, education needs to train people who are both good at theory and good at adapting to the practical changes of society.
Dinh Vien Chieu’s story is also a warning to the middle-aged who are facing a wave of unemployment. In an era where a degree is no longer a “golden ticket” and technology is constantly disrupting old orders, clinging to the stereotype that “work is about prestige” will only make us backward and stuck.
Only when we courageously break free from our fixed mindset about work and accept different directions can we truly mature in harsh reality.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/hoc-ba-di-giao-do-an-du-co-bang-thac-si-dh-bac-kinh-lan-oxford-20250630160030572.htm
Comment (0)