Finding a Needle of Possibility in Haystack of Pessimism

Mengping Li, originally from a small town in Sichuan Province, was prepping for her college entrance exam when the disastrous earthquake of 2008 occurred. Although surrounded by misery, the testing went forward.  Mengping ended up being accepted at Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine. (See post one.) She soon discovered that this second-tier university did not have all she needed, and went about finding ways to make the experience better. (See post two.) The realization that she held the reins regarding her future lit a fire in her soul, and she began exploring as she never had before. (See post three.) She had thoughts about getting a higher degree, but decided instead to try to find a job. (See post four.)

Winter vacation of her Junior year, she headed down to Shenzhen to test the waters and see what opportunities were available for the holidays. Most of the other students were studying for upcoming exams.
“But for me, the final goal is you need a job. Not only pass the exam. So, I was one of three students who was looking for a job at that time.”
But she was one of a gazillion headed for Shenzhen.
“It’s the springtime holiday and it’s really crowded. (On the train) it’s hard to even move to the toilet."

Mengping had a cousin in Shenzhen whom she had met only once when they were infants. Mengping lugged smelly pork in that crowded train as a gift. And when she arrived—although her cousin was pleased with the delicacy—the woman was not very encouraging about employment opportunities.  ‘“It’s impossible for you to find a job at this time.’”

Rather than believe her naysaying cousin, Mengping went to the local job fair. “Most of it was for electronics, because Shenzhen is famous for electronics.”

That wasn’t up Mengping’s alley.

But she figured since she was there, she would do something—she got a job passing out pamphlets for the duration of the fair. Then she headed for the train station and got lunch. She had never tried Cantonese food.  As she was eating, she saw a bus going go Shekou.

“Shekou is the district where most of the foreigners are located in Shenzhen.“ Thinking it would be a good spot to practice English, and she might find a job as a translator, she hopped on that bus. When she arrived, she stopped at every shop in the area. Most of them said they didn’t need help—“It’s spring holiday.” 

But, true to Mengping’s character, she finally found a person she connected with. On her third day of looking, she found a job selling VIP cards at a manicure/pedicure shop where the owner was also from Mengping’s hometown in Sichuan.

(To Be Continued. Next: Your Horizons Define Your Mindset.)