I am a total loser. Since July 2024, I have been searching for ideal research topics and professors in universities. My major is Safety Engineering, and my main research interests lie in process safety (e.g., Texas A&M) and reliability engineering (e.g., UMD). During my Master’s studies, my research focused on process control (PID, NMPC) and reinforcement learning (a branch of machine learning), so I also applied for positions in chemical engineering, control, and data science.
As a first-time applicant, I was fortunate to receive several interview opportunities, but my performance was far from ideal. I was too nervous to clearly explain my research or even some fundamental concepts. For example, in my interview with UPF, a poor internet connection meant the professor could not see my prepared presentation. In my NTNU interview, the interviewer asked me basic questions about reinforcement learning and model predictive control, but I struggled to answer because I could not translate my explanation from Chinese into English on the spot.
Another reason for rejection was the lack of direct alignment between my background and the research focus of some positions. For instance, I applied for positions in flow battery (KIT) and crystallization (Budapest), which were only loosely related to my expertise. Above all, I believe the most critical factor was the fierce competition in 2025. Many Master’s graduates from top universities or renowned institutes joined this “application war.” In comparison, I am an ordinary Master’s student with just one publication, so it was hard to gain a competitive edge.
My job applications have faced similar challenges. In China, universities are often classified as “985,” “211,” “Double First-Class,” and so-called “non-key” institutions. The latter label, unfortunately, carries stigma in the job market, even though it does not reflect the true quality of the university. Meanwhile, the employment situation in China is difficult: many companies are unwilling to hire due to financial pressures. To reduce hiring, they set exceptionally high requirements, forcing candidates to compete for positions with low salaries and poor benefits. With the background explained above, I returned to my hometown and took a position as a safety officer at Lianyungang Port Co., Ltd. The salary is very low. I still remember a senior student telling me last year, “The minimum salary can’t be lower than 10,000 RMB.” Now, that feels more like a joke, as I find myself simply grateful to have any job at all.
Despite the difficult situation, I know I must stay strong and keep myself in shape. That is why I have decided to maintain a daily routine of reading, exercising, and programming, to continue improving myself and building the skills I need to face future challenges. I also write a weekly journal to hold myself accountable and track my progress.
Il n’y a qu’un héroïsme au monde : c’est de voir le monde tel qu’il est, et de l’aimer.
— Romain Rolland
