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.Breaking Barriers: Addressing Unconscious Bias in the Tech Industry
Unconscious bias affects everyone, including tech professionals who believe they are objective and data-driven. In this blog post, we delve into the experiences of South African Business Applications MVP https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/MVP/profile/5b21a01b-949f-4152-b723-01e825632610, who has worked diligently to recognize and mitigate her own biases. Carike will share practical strategies for the tech community to identify unconscious bias, fostering better team dynamics and enhancing creativity. While everyone experiences unconscious bias, how can you become more aware of your own unconscious biases and work to counteract them? In my experience, becoming aware of unconscious bias starts with actively seeking out programs and resources that can help raise awareness. At my workplace, there is a dedicated program for addressing unconscious bias. Without this program, I might never have fully recognized my own biases. The program includes a Women’s Forum which began about 6 years ago. Women from this group participated in a course created by the https://www.linkedin.com/company/chapter-network/ and upon completion we facilitated an Unconscious Bias session. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and from there, the training was rolled out across the whole business. The Unconscious Bias training is led by women in the forum and is a 90-minute session. The training creates a space where employees can openly voice biases they’ve experienced or those they’ve recognized in themselves or others. During these sessions, we emphasize that there is no right or wrong, but the key takeaway is that awareness is crucial to making a difference. The positive response led to the training being rolled out company-wide. Remaining open-minded and encouraging others to approach you with any concerns about bias is essential. This practice helps cultivate a learning environment where everyone can grow together. By inviting feedback, we ensure biases are addressed, fostering mutual respect, accountability, and a culture where everyone's voice is heard and valued. In your experience, how does unconscious bias manifest in everyday interactions among tech professionals? Unconscious bias often appears in everyday interactions within the tech industry, especially through stereotypes about what a woman in tech “should” look like. These biases show up in assumptions about our wardrobe, whether we’re gamers, or the constant need to prove and validate our skills, despite our progress. Unconscious biases towards women in tech manifest in various ways, such as assumptions that women are less technical or always need validation. For example, some may think women lack expertise in certain roles because they are perceived as soft, social, or friendly, or assume they are in the industry just to "fill a quota." These biases can result in women being overlooked for leadership positions, denied career advancement, or having their ideas dismissed in meetings. Over time, these challenges can erode confidence and hinder career growth. Additionally, it limits innovation and reduces the diversity of thought crucial to the success of teams and organizations in the tech sector. Many tech professionals believe they are objective and data driven. How can unconscious bias still affect their work despite this belief? Many tech professionals believe they are objective and data-driven, making unconscious bias harder to detect. However, even in data-driven fields, personal perspectives influence decisions, whether consciously or not. Therefore, it's crucial to continuously challenge assumptions and remain open to feedback. Unconscious biases can subtly affect decisions in data-driven environments. For instance, when interpreting data, individuals may unintentionally prioritize information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs rather than examining it objectively. In hiring, unconscious bias might lead a manager to favor candidates who resemble themselves or fit a certain mold, even if data suggests other candidates are better suited for the role. Algorithmic biases are another example—tech professionals may not realize that the models they design or the datasets they use reflect their own biases, resulting in skewed outcomes. Moreover, relying on data to justify decisions can be problematic. Tech professionals might overlook the broader context or social implications, thereby ignoring how biases in data collection or model assumptions could perpetuate inequality or exclusion. How can tech leaders and managers actively mitigate unconscious bias within their teams? Tech leaders and managers can mitigate unconscious bias by fostering an inclusive environment, providing ongoing training, and encouraging open conversations. Creating an inclusive environment starts with intentional actions that demonstrate a commitment to fairness, respect, and diversity. Practical ways to foster inclusion include: Promoting Diverse Representation: Actively recruit from diverse talent pools and ensure diverse voices are heard in meetings. Mentorship programs pairing underrepresented groups with senior leaders can help break down barriers and build trust. Implementing Bias-Reducing Strategies in Hiring: Use blind hiring processes where personal information for example gender, race, or age is removed from resumes or applications to focus on skills and qualifications. Encouraging Open Dialogue: Facilitate regular discussions around unconscious bias and its impact, allowing team members to safely share experiences and learn from one another. This can be done through lunch-and-learns or town hall meetings that address diversity and inclusion. Training and Resources: Offer continuous training on recognizing and addressing bias, and creating accessible resources (e.g., reading materials, workshops, or bias assessment tools) for employees to explore at their own pace. Celebrating Diversity: Actively recognize the contributions of diverse team members and celebrate various cultural holidays and events that reflect the team’s diversity. This raises awareness and fosters an environment where people feel seen and valued for who they are. By implementing these strategies, leaders can create an environment where merit and contributions are recognized, and biases are less likely to influence decisions. In conclusion, by actively practicing these skills, we can begin to create a safe space for open dialogue and awareness. Encouraging feedback and promoting diverse representation are crucial steps tech leaders can take to mitigate unconscious bias and foster a culture of respect and inclusion. Acknowledging and confronting our biases allows us to enhance team collaboration, boost innovation, and foster a deeper sense of community within the tech industry.
