Step by step, school to career.

As Eric Zhang steps into the university cafeteria, his footsteps echo through the empty space, making it almost seem like he’s the only person in the room. The silence is broken only by the soft background music playing in the venue. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafting from the nearby counter fills the air. The chairs and tables are neatly arranged, awaiting the arrival of the next wave of students. The normally bustling cafeteria feels eerie and deserted, giving Eric a moment of solitude before his interview. He takes a deep breath and steadies himself, ready to make a lasting impression.

Eric is a media science student in Boston University. His demeanor exudes confidence and determination. He strode in firmly and deliberately with a strong sense of purpose. “I believe everyone should have the right to do what they want” he says. He is steadfast in his pursuit, like a mountain that refuses to be moved.

Eric’s words echo a transformational sentiment. “I got really interested in media at a very young age” he says. For Eric, pursuing personal goals and passions is a key component of finding oneself in the journey of life. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with it, embracing these twists and turns can lead to a fulfilling and purposeful path. It’s a journey of self-discovery that requires taking risks, stepping out of comfort zones, and trusting the process. As Eric has shown through his own journey, it’s possible to find success by pursuing what truly inspires and motivates us.

He majored in economics in his undergraduate degree. “But as time went by, I gradually felt that I was resistant to economics, because the concept of economics was too vague, and I could not properly plan my upcoming career” he said. For Eric, education was not meant to be a restrictive force that limited his personal development. Rather, he saw it as a background that informed his creative thinking and helped him to see the world in a different way. Through his academic journey, Eric learned the importance of exploring new ideas and pursuing his passions without fear of failure. He came to believe that a person’s true potential lies not in their academic achievements, but in their ability to think critically and creatively about the world around them. With this perspective, Eric set out to chart his own path, one that would allow him to pursue his passions and make a positive impact on the world.

“I got really interested in media at a very young age” he says. “So I thought to myself, why not learn something in grad school that I really want to learn and enjoy doing it?” Eric’s predilection for media began early and has been a driving force in his life ever since. As he embarked on his academic journey, he made the decision to pursue his passion and study media in graduate school. With his die-hard attitude and relentless pursuit of his predilection, Eric sought to create a career that he truly enjoyed. He realized that he didn’t want to simply work a job, but rather to build a career that fulfilled him both personally and professionally. As he reflects on his decision to pursue his passion, Eric recognizes that his bachelor’s degree didn’t define his opportunities in life. He believes that with hard work, dedication, and the willingness to take risks, anyone can achieve their goals and find success in their chosen field. Eric sees himself as a shining example of this philosophy, as he continues to pursue his passions and strive for excellence in everything he does.

In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of choosing a career path, Eric found himself struggling with the academic rigor of economics. Though he started off with a great deal of enthusiasm, he eventually found that the discipline was too rigid for his creative spirit, and it left him feeling unfulfilled. Transitioning to media science was his best decision. “It gives me a lot of space and allows me to use my imagination and creativity freely” he says. “Creativity plays an important role in this, new things are created every day so that the industry can develop rapidly. The second is timeliness.” Eric sees creativity as a spark that ignites the flames of innovation, a force that unlocks the door to uncharted territories, and a driving force that fuels the engines of progress. It is not just a mere expression of art, but a vital component that enables new horizons to be explored, and empowers industries to reach new heights of success and prosperity.

He is a man of action. “During the internship process, what I have to do every day is create new content for Tencent’s official social media accounts” he says. Additionally, to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in his industry, Eric goes through various social media platforms and pays attention to what is popular with different demographics. “But the most important thing is not to be addicted, but to discover new ideas, so as to achieve forward development” he says.

Today, he is riding the boat of his life in both stormy and calm waters. His focus is simple – “If you, like me, want to turn your hobby into a job in the future, then take this step” he said. “I’m a soccer fan and hope to be a soccer journalist or soccer content promoter at some point in the future. I hope and dream that this will come true.” He is a shadow of a honey badger that simply will not die without a fight.