For several generations my family worked in the Dongfang Turbine Company, a factory in the rural town of Hanwang, China where few people owned a vehicle. I clearly remember being a child and watching the droves of factory workers, all wearing the same blue clothes, coming and going on foot to the factory each and every day in a giant sea of blue. I recall wondering if I would ever be part of something as big as that and I thought about how I could improve things for future generations. After the earthquake in 2008, the factory and our family were moved to the larger industrial city of Deyang. Although things were different, I still had a dream of one day beginning my own career, starting a family and being part of something bigger together to make a happy, successful life.
Four years later when I went to the college, I chose materials chemistry as my major. At that time, I still wanted to work in the Dongfang Company, fulfilling my childhood desire to work alongside my parents. Fortunately, when I was sophomore, I got a chance of interning in the Materials Institution of that company. During 2 months, I learned much about the operations within the Material Institution. The longer I worked, the more I was acquainted with the situation in Materials Institution.
Due to the processes and operations, workers are extremely busy at some times, work long hours and must endure difficult, strenuous labor. Lacking of systematic instruction and opportunities to study state of the art technology, many young college graduates choose to leave this institution. I wondered how working conditions might be improved in order to balance the labor force, provide ergonomic work places, ensure safe work practices for everyone’s benefit and increase individual’s career path development. One experienced craftsman led me during my internship and spoke of his desire to improve conditions as well. I realized that such positive change takes time, dedication and persistence. I hope one day to become successful in material sciences and strive to make the processes and working conditions better for laborers within this industry. This not only ensures the safety of the employees, but also boosts morale and productivity, both of which are huge benefits for any company.
At the same time, I touched a new area in Public Relations. I previously worked isolated in the lab and immersed with data and equations. Instead, I dedicated my weekends and holidays to better improving my interpersonal skills. What surprised me was that the more I learned in both science and art, the more freely I can handle the knowledge, the better academic scores I obtained! I felt be truly on top of study when I equipped myself with both majors. Moreover, I felt more interested in learning Public Relations!
Accessing to graduating, I was wondering what major should I continue to pursue, material science or public relations? I did not want to give up my dream of working alongside my parents, because of which I chose to learn material science. However, public relations seemed more attractive and suited me. I was a “people” person. I loved to be with people, talking and communicating with public was amazing and much more interesting than staying in the lab. Especially, public relations first started in America, which means it developed well in United States. Should I learn what I really want to learn and grab the good chance studying aboard? I was in a dilemma. It was like you always fell in love with a boy named A, but one day you began to got along with another boy named B. You and boy B had chemistry in the very first time you met each other. What should you do? Continuing in a relationship with A or abandoned A and hugged B? It was extremely hard.
Until now, I am studying in material science engineering in Stony Brook. I am still not sure if I chose the right decision. I am not sure if I am a research person. I am not sure if I can insist in working in the lab. But I am definitely sure I do not want to drop my background in Public Relations.
Should I give up, or should I chasing pavement, even if it leads nowhere?
