In my precious career plan, I mentioned the possibility of working in a large company after graduation. This is certainly a conventional and stable path. And it indeed can help me to accumulate the experience in this structured system. However, considering the increasingly competitive and harsh employment situation in China, I started to question myself whether this path match my real expectation for my life.

In reality, many graduates have got into a route of waking up early, commuting long hours, working overtime until late in the evening, sometimes until 8 PM or later, often with only one day off per week. We get a stable salary, and the sense of future progression can feel distant and uncertain. Although I understand that this type of lifestyle might be necessary for a short period to get experience or economy support for individuals, it is definitely not can be what I expect for long-term career or personal plan.

Therefore, I started to think about another possibility of alternative career. For example, one idea is to first get practical experience through intern, which would allow me to build skills and make industry connections. From there, I could establish my own studio by integrating the interpersonal network and resources I’ve acquired throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate friends. During my gap year between my bachelor and master programs, I had the opportunity to work on a government IP design project. I created a mascot for a local government, now this mascot has developed from initial concept to final execution. Finally, we made a series of themed merchandise. Today, that mascot has become a recognized symbol in the region’s cultural and tourism industry.

The design of mascot

This project may bring me more confidence to create a personal career. It could serve as a model for my studio’s future projects, combining creative freedom with professional purpose. But now, everything still an unknown.