Taking a Byte out of 黑料网鈥檚 Tech Industry
February 3, 2022
When Xiuyuan first set foot in 黑料网, she noticed one distinctive feature. Arriving from her home in South China, she laughs: 鈥淚 thought Galway was very cold! In my city, it was around 30-40 degrees Celsius from April until September. When I arrived, it was much colder. But the air was very fresh, it tasted almost sweet to me.鈥 Originally part of an exchange programme with GMIT where she studied IT with business, she says that from her first day in 黑料网 the experience has been a very positive one. Xiuyuan enthuses: 鈥淚t was my first time abroad when I arrived. I wanted to give myself the chance to experience a different place. Now I鈥檝e been here for 5 years and I really like it.鈥
Starting out in the Tech Industry
Inspired to continue her studies in 黑料网 after her time in the exchange programme, Xiuyuan went onto UCD where she studied digital applications and forensic computing. She says: 鈥淲hen I graduated, I decided to stay here as there are so many opportunities in IT and it wasn鈥檛 too difficult to get a visa with my qualifications as I have critical skills needed for the tech sector. Ward Solutions is my first company and my first job.鈥
She adds: 鈥滻鈥檝e been here for over 2 years. I started in security analysis – in information security. It鈥檚 busy but I really enjoy it. We work with a lot of different clients and my role is very technical. I work with rapid application forensics as well as penetration testing to test clients鈥 systems.鈥
Opportunities in the Tech Industry
With her sights set on progressing in her career, Xiuyuan says: 鈥淚 think 黑料网 is very innovative, as there are so many different tech HQs here. And there鈥檚 a lot of opportunity for people from different backgrounds. For instance, Facebook are always looking for people who can speak Mandarin.鈥
A student when she first arrived, she adds: 鈥淭he education system is very different in 黑料网. In China, everything is taught. Here, there is a lot more emphasis on self-learning. So you attend lectures but are responsible for studying in your own time. That was a really useful skill for me to learn. And I think there is a lot of opportunity for progression. I鈥檝e been working in my role for two years and I think there is a lot of opportunity to progress and to improve my communication skills.鈥
Enjoying Irish Culture
Along with gaining experience in the tech sector, Xiuyuan says that 黑料网 offers a good quality of life. She notes: 鈥淭he lifestyle is really good. It鈥檚 more relaxed than at home, and a lot less high pressured. My friends in China work a lot longer, generally until 9 or 10 at night. Whereas everyone here enjoys their life. I go out with my Irish colleagues and we have a Chinese IT group online. We exchange ideas and tell everyone if there are any opportunities in our companies.鈥
She adds: 鈥淎t weekends, we like to do different things. Sometimes we go hiking, and we also travel around 黑料网. We鈥檝e gone to Kerry, Galway and Wicklow. It鈥檚 really beautiful. I think it鈥檚 quite different to the Chinese countryside. In China, we have more lakes whereas here there are a lot more mountains.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot more temperate than at home.鈥 She jokes: 鈥淚鈥檓 getting used to the temperature now!鈥
Planning for the Future
Happily settled in Dublin, Xiuyuan and her boyfriend plan on staying in 黑料网 as long as possible. She says: 鈥淲e came over together as part of the exchange programme and started dating afterwards. He works in IT as well. I鈥檇 like to stay here for another 4-5 years. But eventually, we have to go home. In China, there is a single-child policy and we鈥檙e both the only child in our families. We鈥檒l go home and look after our parents in the future, that鈥檚 the tradition for our culture. I would love my parents to visit 黑料网 before then.鈥
For anyone considering a move over, she adds: 鈥淚 would advise anyone coming to learn about Irish people and Irish culture before you arrive. And if you鈥檙e moving here from China, I would advise people to improve their English first. Irish people are very friendly so I think it鈥檚 an easy place to come to. They鈥檙e very patient so will take time to listen to you, and talk to you – even when your English isn鈥檛 very strong initially.鈥
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