From Programmer to Tech Influencer
Zhongke Yang (Zack)'s journey is nothing short of remarkable. As a self-taught programmer without a formal computer science background, he began his career at Shenzhen Kingdee Software Company. Later, he joined a technology company in Beijing that specialized in banking systems. In 2008, he took a leap of faith and started his own business, dedicating himself to IT education. His passion for learning led him to New Zealand in 2019, where he studied for several months. However, the pandemic in 2020 brought him back to China, where he found himself in a small county in Hebei, working as a self-media blogger. Despite the challenges, Zack's spirit remained unbroken. In 2022, he returned to New Zealand, determined to restart the life that had been put on hold. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of continuous learning. Time paused During the pandemic, Zack found himself stranded in his wife's hometown, a remote county in Hebei. For months, he lived the dream life of many Chinese programmers - making money in the big city and spending it in the small town. His years of hard work had accumulated enough savings for him to take a break. However, being a passionate and active person, he couldn't stay idle for long and soon found himself embarking on new ventures. April 20, 2020, was a memorable day for Zack. On that day, he uploaded a video to Bilibili, sharing a website that helps English learning. This system could split sentences and allow users to practice those they didn't understand separately. The video quickly went viral, being recommended to Bilibili's homepage and eventually reaching 1.085 million views. Zack was astonished by his sudden rise to fame. Within days, his followers skyrocketed from a few thousand to over 200,000. His inbox was flooded with messages, and he received hundreds of friends requests every hour. Despite the overwhelming attention, Zack enjoyed the experience. His success was not a mere coincidence. The product he developed was a boon for English learners, and he himself was the best advertisement. In just three to four months, his IELTS (International English Language Testing System） listening score improved from 5.5 to 8. Even English majors might struggle to achieve such a score quickly, but a 39-year-old programmer had done it. Zack believed that language was the first hurdle to living abroad. Chinese people often struggled with "mute English" and "deaf English," excelling on exams but failing to communicate effectively. Zack had faced similar challenges. To improve his listening skills, he tried various methods like "dictation" and "shadow reading," but none were satisfactory. For him, intensive listening was more effective than extensive listening, and the key was to truly understand every sentence, much like a baby learning to speak. At that time, listening software that could split sentences was limited, and Zack's programming skills came in handy. His learning approach proved to be correct, and he later developed a vocabulary software to collect the most frequently used words in English learning materials, making it easier for him to read English technical documents. The popularity of his English website gave him new ideas. Since he couldn't go abroad, he decided to keep himself busy by becoming a tech influencer. He developed various tools, like a light bulb that could automatically adjust brightness to solve the problem of children being afraid of the dark at night and a mobile teleprompter for live classes. He uploaded videos of these projects to Bilibili, captivating even those who didn't understand technology. His rise to fame on Bilibili was not surprising, as he had already mastered the art of attracting attention as a star lecturer in the development field ten years ago. A programmer who can't write code isn't a good coach. Even though he is a self-taught programmer, Zack became one of the top lecturers in the .NET field and he joined the Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) program in 2021. Over the years, he has helped countless people successfully embark on the path to becoming programmers with his insightful and practical content. What sets Zack apart from others is his ability to solve a major problem in development teaching - boredom. As Jack Ma once said, "Today is cruel, tomorrow is crueler, but the day after tomorrow is beautiful. However, most people die on the night of tomorrow." When it comes to learning programming, many people can't even make it through "today." Countless individuals struggle for months with professional terminology, learning in a haze, and exhaust all their enthusiasm while sitting in front of a screen with black text on a white background. Their initial ambition to develop games and websites is often thwarted by repetitive practice of " Pascal Triangle." (Classic Elementary Programming Questions） Zack understands these pitfalls well. Instead of advising people to persevere, he shares his personal experiences to teach them how to learn programming. How did he learn programming? The answer is simple - by playing. In his second year of high school, Zack couldn't afford a computer. He used a computer learning machine to create a Super Mario game, learning programming through play. Years later, he fully integrated this theory into his teaching, developing a game engine. By following his own lessons, “boring code” was transformed into "Super Mario," "Let the Elf Fly," "Collect Coins," "Airplane Battle," and various other fun games. Besides games, there were also features like "Electronic Piano," "Music Player," "Talking Tom Cat," and "Animations." This quick feedback and fulfilling learning mode attracted tens of thousands of fans to Zack. Zack is undoubtedly a skilled learner. He seems to always grasp the operating rules of things quickly. This powerful learning ability is the true secret behind his repeated success. He firmly believes in Sanduo XU's saying, "Don't muddle through life, be careful life doesn't muddle through you." Therefore, he seizes every learning opportunity, working hard once he sets his goals. He chose the wrong major in college, mechanical engineering. He bought textbooks, switched majors, followed projects, and after four years of college, he joined a renowned tech company with the highest score in the job interview. When the media traffic for technical development was bleak, he developed fun small tools, talked about the workplace, shared about life abroad, and became a traffic magnet again. Many people envy Zack's freedom to "achieve whatever he wants." All of this is the result of continuous learning. He never stops learning, constantly updating and iterating himself like a product. During his months of studying abroad, he observed the differences in education between China and other countries. After returning to China, he started a series of videos called "Learn to Learn," believing that teaching people to fish is better than giving them fish. The ability to self-learn and explore is far more important than specific knowledge points, a point he deeply understands. Before becoming a lecturer, he was a senior programmer. While mentoring newcomers, he found that many people lacked the ability to self-learn. When the work content exceeded what was taught in school, many people would just shake their heads and say they couldn't do it. In a rapidly changing industry, such people are not uncommon. Zack saw the opportunity and value in this, so he dedicated himself to sharing technology, eager to use his learning insights to help more people. He found that teaching others brought him immense satisfaction, and it was also one of the most effective ways to improve himself. In June 2022, after more than two years of waiting, Zack and his family finally arrived in New Zealand. He immediately started his new postgraduate life, researching how to write computer knowledge academically in English, planning to publish an English version of his software development book in the future. He gradually regained control over his life. In this uncertain era, learning is the most important thing. Only by truly becoming strong ourselves can we face any challenges without fear.Rise & Inspire: Women in Tech Leading the Way
Historically, the tech industry has been predominantly male comprising 75% of the jobs in tech industry, but today, we see many talented women making significant strides, reshaping the landscape, and creating opportunities for themselves and others. These women are not only succeeding but excelling in the industry. Their journeys are marked by genuine challenges, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to making a meaningful impact. We spoke with several female MVPs - Shrushti Shah, Poornima S, Apoorva Sharma, Shristi Kumar, Dr. Gomathi S, Haimantika Mitra, Ritika Agarwal, Arpita Das, Smita Nachan Navika Chhauda, C R Bhargavi, Kashish Sharma, who have not only built successful careers but also actively contributed to the community. Their stories reflect resilience, mentorship, and a passion for making the tech industry more inclusive. The Power of Community When asked about the impact of being part of the MVP community, the response was overwhelmingly positive. It’s more than just an award or recognition—it’s a space where women find encouragement, collaboration, and a platform to amplify their voices. For many women, the MVP community has become a game-changer. Ritika shares her experience: “I have been a part of this community for the past five years, and the community is extremely welcoming and supportive. It’s an incredible experience filled with learning, networking, and collaboration.” Apoorva Sharma echoes this, saying that being part of the community has been “a rewarding journey of giving back, learning, and growing together. It’s not just about receiving recognition—it’s about amplifying the voices of others and shaping a more inclusive future.” Community as a passion can do wonders, and Navika has excelled in this- “I am passionate about #TechforGood and thus have been using technology for a good cause by empowering the visually impaired students and acid attack survivors with Microsoft technology, one of the initiatives being “Empowering TechVision”, wherein the aim is to prepare the visually impaired for Azure Fundamentals Certification.” For many, the MVP community isn’t just about personal growth; it’s about paying it forward, as Dr. Gomathi says, “Engaging with communities like Code; Without Barriers, Microsoft Learn, and the MVP network has been instrumental in creating opportunities, sharing knowledge, and mentoring others.” Challenges: More Than Just a Buzzword Every woman in tech has a story. For Srushti Shah, it meant constantly proving her expertise in male-dominated spaces. But her resilience paid off—her dedication and community work led to a proud moment: standing beside Satya Nadella. A milestone that speaks louder than words. These MVPs are shaping the tech ecosystem, & we totally resonate with what Kashish Sharma mentioned - “Women’s representation in tech has improved—there are more role models, communities, and initiatives supporting women than ever before. It’s a matter of sharing your experience, sharing knowledge through content creation, mentoring aspiring designers and developers, and engaging in discussions around product, design, and web experiences.” So, how do they overcome these challenges? By advocating for themselves, showcasing their value and empowering others to do so too. Resonating to what Haimantika mentioned, “Start somewhere. If you want to be a web developer, start with HTML, show up every day and talk about it. Building trust is a skill, and you do that by showing up every day, and taking one step at a time.” Beyond the Job: Building the Tech Community Many of these leaders don’t stop at their professional roles—they are shaping the community in powerful ways: 📌 Mentoring: Arpita Das is an AI MVP and being a mentor has been important for her. “Beyond my job, I actively mentor aspiring engineers, especially young women who are trying to find their place in tech.” 📌 Blogging & Content Creation: Sharing knowledge and technical insights. Our AI MVP, C R Bhargavi actively contributes to the tech community through mentoring, blogging, and speaking at events. She has published 30+ articles and 10+ blogs, reaching 90,000+ readers, and conducted 100+ sessions, impacting over 7,000 individuals. Content creation is crucial in 2025 and one of MVP Shristi has cracked the model. "Beyond my job, I dedicate time to building a personal brand sharing my Excel learnings with the community of 269k+ followers over Instagram. 📌 Speaking at Events: Empowering more women to step into leadership roles. One of our MVPs takes it to another level, with a community of 9600, Smita Nachan, a co-organizer of Pune Tech Community keeps up an inclusive ecosystem for avid learners & professionals interested in Microsoft technologies. 📌 Open-Source Contributions: Helping build technology that’s accessible to all. “With a year full of growth and impact, I reached a milestone of 100 videos on YouTube, 25+ articles, mentoring 300+ underprivileged talent in rural areas,” said Dr. Gomathi S. This kind of grassroots effort is exactly what helps more women enter and thrive in technology. Where Do You Start? Advice for Women Wanting to Contribute Many women hesitate to step into community contributions, unsure where to begin. The advice from these MVPs? Just start. ✅ Find a community: Join meetups, tech forums, or online groups. ✅ Attend and speak at events: Even if you start as a listener, you’ll soon feel confident enough to share. ✅ Share your knowledge: Write blogs, make videos, or contribute to open-source projects. ✅ Don’t let perfection hold you back: Your voice and experience are valuable. "Start small—write a blog, join a discussion, or mentor someone. Every contribution matters." — Apoorva Sharma "The first step is always the hardest, but once you start, you’ll see how rewarding it is." — Shristi Kumar Change is Happening—But There’s Still Work to Do Women’s representation in tech has improved over the years, but there’s still a long way to go. "There’s a visible change—more women in leadership, better policies—but biases and representation gaps still exist,” commented Poornima S Our M365 MVP Ritika Agarwal says, “When I became an MVP, I think it was just 2-3 women MVPs in India, but that representation has changed a lot since then. More and more women are inclined towards taking part in tech activities nowadays and it is a great step. And with the MVP Mentorship Circle, we aim to grow stronger, join us now. Final Thoughts: Rise & Inspire The journey of women in tech isn’t just about breaking into the industry—it’s about staying, thriving, and leading. Ritika had a wonderful reflection and said, “If I could change one thing to make the industry more inclusive for women, I’d try to create awareness in a way, that it is not always a woman who is behind a successful man but there are also men who are behind successful women.” The women we spoke to are not just part of the tech community; they are building it. If you’re looking to contribute, take the leap —know this: you belong here. And there’s an entire community of women ready to rise and inspire alongside you. If you’re already on the path, bring others along with you. The future of tech is diverse, and it’s being shaped by women who refuse to be sidelined. Be a part of the Code; Without Barriers Program, an initiative to empower women with industry skills, become a mentor today and bridge the gap for tomorrow. There’s an entire community of women ready to rise and inspire alongside you. If you’re already on the path, bring others along with you. Are you ready to rise and inspire? Resources: Data points used: Women in Tech Statistics 2025: Male to Female Ratio - EarthWeb Code; Without Barriers: https://azdev.reskilll.com/cwb MVP Mentorship Circle: https://forms.office.com/r/RK2FXE2bCm MVP Mentors Map: https://mvpmentorsindia.web.app/From Neural Networks to Community Engagement
My (MVP Gavita Regunath) fascination with technology started during my final year at university, when I worked on a project to develop a neural network that could detect leukaemia cells. It might sound intimidating, and it certainly felt that way at first, but I soon realised there was something magical about using lines of code to tackle real challenges. It opened my eyes to the power technology can have in making life better for so many people. My passion for community engagement came later, thanks to a few brilliant directors at Advancing Analytics named Simon and Terry who showed me how leadership can be both ambitious and compassionate. However, my children were the real spark that pushed me to visit local schools and show children that coding is not terrifying at all. I often compare it to building with Lego pieces, only you do not have to crawl under the sofa to find the missing bits. In my mind, technology is for everyone. It is not just for the stereotypical people you see in films tapping away at futuristic screens. Challenges and Triumphs I wish I could say my journey was all smooth sailing and celebratory takeaway nights, but being a woman in tech sometimes feels like being a very small fish in a very big pond. Early on, I had moments when I felt I was shouting to be heard, yet I kept reminding myself why I loved this field. It was the thrill of bringing new ideas to life and the support from kindred spirits who believed in me. One of my proudest moments was seeing my team members blossom into community champions in their own right. It is amazing to watch them share what they have learnt and inspire others in turn. That beautiful cycle of growth and support is the main reason I still leap out of bed every morning, excited to see what is next. Motivation and Values If I had to sum up what drives me, it would be a keen appetite for learning and a rather competitive streak that helps me aim for success. I like to think I use that competitiveness for good rather than evil. Every challenge is a chance to acquire new knowledge, and every milestone reached feels like hitting a hidden treasure in a quest. More importantly, I love sharing every insight I gain, because there is no point being the only person in the room who has all the answers. I also believe deeply in empathy and collaboration. The best solutions appear when people feel safe speaking up, and when every perspective is valued. I always say we are only as strong as those around us. If we help each other, we can create an environment where curiosity and creativity thrive, and no one ever feels silly for asking a question. Community Engagement and Belonging For me, community is all about open and honest conversation. I enjoy giving talks in schools, online forums and in person, because I remember what it was like to feel a bit lost when I was starting out. If I can make technology more approachable for someone else, I have done my job. A moment that truly made me smile was when a former student told me they had gone on to study AI after attending a small coding workshop I had helped organise. It was only a few hours out of my day, yet it set off a chain reaction that shaped their future. It is moments like these that remind me how one small act of sharing knowledge can grow into something much bigger. Lifelong Learning and Keeping Up to Date Technology never stops evolving. One day you are reading about a new AI breakthrough, and the very next day there is an update that makes it seem outdated already. I keep up by reading articles on the Microsoft Tech Community site, joining AI groups and following interesting people on LinkedIn. You have to sift through a bit of fluff now and then, but you also come across some genuine gems of wisdom. One of my favourite pieces of advice is this: if you really want to master something, teach it. When you explain a concept to someone else, it forces you to understand it on a deeper level. You realise where your own gaps are, and it encourages you to fill those gaps so you can pass on accurate information. Personal Growth and Future Plans When I look ahead, I see many ways to keep encouraging and supporting thriving tech communities. I have a few ideas in mind, such as building more formal mentorship programmes that give newcomers a guiding hand, working with schools so children can see coding as a chance to be creative, exploring more international collaborations and diving deeper into the ethical questions around AI. The expansion of AI in daily life excites me the most. I believe future generations will grow up treating AI as quite ordinary, just as we treat smartphones today. If I can help them view AI as a helpful tool rather than a mysterious black box, I will have accomplished one of my main goals. Final Thoughts So that is my story in a nutshell. I hope it encourages you to see how powerful technology can be, but even more importantly, how amazing it feels to build a community around it. My wish is that you might feel inspired to start sharing your own knowledge and experiences, whether you are teaching a child how to code or collaborating with a global network of scientist. Each of us has something unique to offer, and when we pool our talents, wonderful things happen. If you ever want to chat or exchange tips and ideas, please reach out. I am always happy to connect. Thank you so much for reading, and here is to many exciting adventures in tech for all of us. MVP Gavita Regunath
