logo
Chinese man with Oxford PhD turns delivery rider after 10 failed interviews in Singapore; inspiring thousands online

Chinese man with Oxford PhD turns delivery rider after 10 failed interviews in Singapore; inspiring thousands online

Time of India07-07-2025
In today's volatile employment landscape, even top-tier education can't always guarantee job stability. The case of Ding Yuanzhao, a highly qualified Oxford graduate working as a food delivery rider in Singapore, paints a sobering picture of global job market challenges.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Despite holding degrees from some of the world's most prestigious universities, Ding found himself unemployed after a postdoctoral stint. His story, now going viral, is not just a personal journey—it's a reflection of rising underemployment among highly educated professionals across the world. As competition stiffens, many are turning to the gig economy simply to survive.
Ding's situation mirrors a growing global trend of underemployment among overqualified individuals.
Whether in the sciences, humanities, or engineering, many highly educated professionals are finding themselves underutilised in the labour market. Economic uncertainty, shrinking academic funding, and misaligned skill demands have pushed even PhD holders into freelance or gig work.
Oxford graduate delivers food after struggling to find a job in Singapore
According to
South China Morning Post (SCMP)
until March 2023, Ding worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
After his contract ended, he applied to numerous roles and attended over ten interviews—without success.
Faced with financial pressure and limited options, Ding chose to become a food delivery rider in Singapore, marking a stark departure from his academic roots. The decision speaks volumes about the growing relevance and necessity of the gig economy for even the most credentialed individuals. Working 10 hours daily, Ding reportedly earns about SG$700 a week.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
While many would find the shift humbling, Ding maintains a grounded outlook.
'It is a stable job. I can support my family. If you work hard, you can earn a decent living,' he shared on social media. He also noted the unexpected perk of physical fitness: 'One advantage of delivering food is that you can get your workout in at the same time.'
Source: SCMP
Oxford graduate's three prestigious degrees
Ding Yuanzhao, 39, is not your average gig worker. Born in China, he boasts a rare academic pedigree, including:
A master's degree in biodiversity from Oxford University
A master's in energy engineering from Peking University
A PhD in biology from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
Despite these accomplishments, he has struggled to find a job that matches his expertise.
His case underscores the troubling disconnect between elite education and career placement.
Source: SCMP
Long academic journey of Oxford graduate and why he avoided tutoring work
Ding's academic journey began in Fujian Province, China. In 2004, he achieved a near-perfect score of 700 out of 750 in China's gaokao, the country's grueling national college entrance exam. That earned him a place at Tsinghua University, where he studied chemistry. From there, he moved across borders and disciplines, proving himself a top scholar in chemistry, energy, biology, and biodiversity—a rare cross-disciplinary portfolio.
Many highly educated professionals in Asia often turn to private tutoring to make ends meet. Ding, however, chose not to.
'I felt too shy to seek customers on my own,' he admitted. His hesitance reflects how emotional and psychological factors—such as confidence, identity, and self-worth—can influence post-academic career choices, especially in unstructured environments.
Also Read |
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chinese Cashier Steals Rs 20 Crore To Fund Cosmetic Surgery And Luxury Life
Chinese Cashier Steals Rs 20 Crore To Fund Cosmetic Surgery And Luxury Life

NDTV

time2 days ago

  • NDTV

Chinese Cashier Steals Rs 20 Crore To Fund Cosmetic Surgery And Luxury Life

A Chinese woman who was working as a cashier, earning 8,000 yuan (approximately Rs 1 lakh) per month, has been found to have embezzled nearly 17 million yuan (Rs 20 crore) from her employer, according to The South China Morning Post. The substantial sum was reportedly used to finance an extravagant lifestyle, including extensive cosmetic surgeries and luxury purchases. According to SCMP, over a period of six years, the individual underwent cosmetic procedures four times annually, with each session costing an estimated 300,000 yuan (Rs 36 lakh). In addition to her physical transformations, she cultivated an image of wealth on social media, spending approximately two million yuan (Rs 2 crore) each year on high-end goods. These acquisitions included diamond bracelets valued at over 100,000 yuan (Rs 12 lakh) and limited-edition crocodile skin handbags. Further investigations revealed her participation in gambling activities at Macau casinos. As per the Chinese Media house, the 41-year-old, who used the pseudonym Wang Jing, worked as a cashier for a flower and gardening services company in Shanghai that was founded by a person surnamed Xu in 2018. To facilitate payments, Xu and Wang set up a secured online banking system that was controlled by Wang. Xu had hired a professional accounting firm and could monitor the company's finances via her phone, so she felt reassured and placed her trust in Wang. However, Wang had secretly been treating the company's account as her personal vault, using it to fund an extravagant lifestyle. She confessed that her sole motivation at work was to transfer company funds into her own account for personal use. "I am blinded by vanity, I have never spent money on any man. I just want to make myself look better," Wang told SCMP, adding: "I enjoy being praised and looking young." The scheme unravelled in July 2024 when the tax authorities made an unannounced visit to the company and discovered discrepancies between its actual operations and its tax declarations. At that time, the company's accounts were empty, forcing Xu to use her personal savings to cover employee social security payments. The Changning District People's Procuratorate in Shanghai officially indicted Wang Jing on charges of embezzlement and fraud. The case is ongoing.

Why has China barred Wells Fargo banker from leaving the country?
Why has China barred Wells Fargo banker from leaving the country?

Business Standard

time3 days ago

  • Business Standard

Why has China barred Wells Fargo banker from leaving the country?

China on Monday said that a senior executive at Wells Fargo, one of the United States (US)' largest banks, has been restricted from leaving the country because of her involvement in a criminal case. The confirmation comes after reports of the same surfaced last week, according to a report in the South China Morning Post (SCMP). 'Mao Chenyue is involved in a criminal case currently being handled by Chinese law enforcement authorities and is subject to the exit restrictions in accordance with the law,' Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, as quoted by the SCMP. The spokesperson did not specify what Mao is alleged to have done, nor which law enforcement agency is handling the case. 'She cannot leave the country for the time being,' Guo added, noting that Mao is required to 'cooperate with the investigation pursuant to Chinese laws', the report added. Guo added that 'no matter whether they are Chinese or foreigners, they should abide by Chinese laws in China'. He also said that her 'lawful rights and interests' would be protected while the investigation is ongoing and framed the situation as 'an individual judicial case'. According to her LinkedIn profile, Mao has been a managing director at Wells Fargo since 2012. Wells Fargo suspends business travel to China Soon after reports of Mao's exit ban surfaced last week, the US-based bank suspended all business travel to the country. "We are closely tracking this situation and working through the appropriate channels so our employee can return to the United States as soon as possible," Wells Fargo told Reuters then. Not an isolated Incident China's use of exit bans can further worsen its relations with the United States. These travel restrictions can prevent individuals—both Chinese citizens and foreigners—from leaving the country if they are involved in legal disputes, ongoing investigations, or sometimes for reasons that are not made public. The US State Department has warned its citizens on multiple occasions to reconsider travel to China. "Exercise increased caution when traveling to Mainland China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans," it said in an advisory issued in November 2024. According to the SCMP report, another US citizen—an employee of the US Commerce Department's Patent and Trademark Office—had also been blocked from leaving China a few days ago. The individual has reportedly been stuck in the country for several months, allegedly over national security concerns, the report added.

Trump-Xi meet likely in Shanghai or on the sidelines of Apec summit in South Korea: Report
Trump-Xi meet likely in Shanghai or on the sidelines of Apec summit in South Korea: Report

First Post

time4 days ago

  • First Post

Trump-Xi meet likely in Shanghai or on the sidelines of Apec summit in South Korea: Report

This month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met face-to-face, a step toward a potential leaders' summit. read more The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in South Korea, set for October 30 to November 1, offers a key opportunity for Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump to meet, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, citing sources. Trump might visit China beforehand or meet Xi on the sidelines of the Apec event in Gyeongju, where Xi plans to attend, though Trump's participation is unconfirmed, the Hong Kong based outlet reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met face-to-face, a step toward a potential leaders' summit. Last month, Xi invited Trump and his wife to China, an invitation Trump reciprocated. Rubio noted a 'strong desire on both sides' for a presidents' meeting. US-China relations have been rocky since Trump's January return to the White House, as the US leader issued threats of imposing 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods. Both sides have since worked on stabilising ties, reaching a preliminary trade deal easing China's rare-earth export restrictions and US technology trade barriers. Analysts suggest a pre-Apec meeting in China, possibly in Shanghai, is likely to differentiate from Trump's 2017 Beijing visit. Diao Daming of Renmin University was quoted by SCMP as saying: 'Under favourable conditions and an appropriate atmosphere, any form of interaction between the two leaders will aid in the stabilisation and development of US-China relations.' Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund noted that China sees a summit as stabilising. 'They maintain that a leaders' meeting could create greater stability in the relationship,' she said, adding it could allow Xi to push for eased technology restrictions and the US reaffirmation against Taiwan independence. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory, to be reunited if necessary by force. The US, while not recognising Taiwan's independence, opposes forceful takeover and is obligated to arm Taiwan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sun Chenghao of Tsinghua University said a summit could break deadlocks on issues like fentanyl and tariffs: 'If certain issues can be clarified directly through a summit between the two leaders, I believe we could see relatively swift breakthroughs in specific areas of US-China relations.' Chen Qi of Tsinghua added: 'Both sides are indeed working to create a conducive atmosphere for a meeting.' Cooperation on trade and export controls could foster positive interactions. Observers note that Trump's greater eagerness gives Beijing leverage. 'It's up to China. Trump would be on a plane to Beijing tomorrow if he could,' said Jeremy Chan of Eurasia Group. 'China is very protocol driven and wants all agreements lined up well in advance while Trump would be happy to hash it all out over a Big Mac.' However, Taiwan or hawkish US actions could derail plans. 'The summit will be well telegraphed in advance,' Chan said. 'But all it would take would be one slip up along the way to derail the whole thing.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store