Suicide Prompts Chinese To Reconsider Coming To U.S.

By Tim | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 | 8 Comments

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silicon Suicide Prompts Chinese To Reconsider Coming To U.S.

The recent suicide in April 2012 of 40 year old Qinggen Wang, a principal software engineer at Paypal, is driving discussions in the Chinese blogosphere about whether it’s worth it to come to the U.S. to pursue jobs, specifically ones that aren’t related to one’s passion in life.

Wang was well-known in China for being a “chemistry genius”, having won a gold medal in the International Chemistry Olympiad, but instead of working in chemistry, chose a career in software because of the better pay. Many bloggers speculated that Wang had given up on a career working with his passion in chemistry and that led to his depression. Being a foreigner may also have contributed, along with a stigma in the Chinese community around seeking help for mental illness.

As a long-time resident of Silicon Valley, there’s no doubt that life here is stressful. Silicon Valley is also notorious for its glass and bamboo ceilings making it difficult for Asians to climb the ladder in the corporate setting. So while I can’t comment on whether you should reconsider a decision to move to the U.S. to work, I do want to remind everyone, (as one of my fellow 8Asians writers said in regard to this news on our email list), “If you have depression, get treated. Medication can do wonders.” Wang leaves behind a wife and two children.

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http://profile.yahoo.com/HOG7UXKTW7AMPGXCXGBFVNJIZI Derek Wong

I’m not sure if mr. wang’s suicide has any correlation to chinese people in general being more cautious in coming to the US for jobs. wang picked his engineering career based on better monetary compensation and as harsh to say it, by giving up his passion to chemistry. You can make better money being an engineer than being a chemist in china as well. it has nothing to do with coming to the US
timat8asians

The referenced article interviews and talks with Chinese citizens who say they are reconsidering jobs in the U.S., and that’s actually the point of the referenced article, is that in the blogosphere, Chinese are talking about his suicide and how it’s affecting their decision.
m_wei

and the USC shooting means nothing?
timat8asians

Different topic, rather than preventing Chinese from coming to the U.S. to get jobs, that would prevent them from coming for school
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ahmed-Sanchez-De-La-Cruz-Kim/58700922 Ahmed Sanchez De La Cruz Kim

I think it’s just a segment of the Chinese populace. There’s talk on the net, but like this particular case isn’t going to affect their decisions on the grand scale.

Don’t believe too much of what the media or world on the internet generalizes about Chinese opinions. A lot of these remarks regarding how some journalists, bloggers or etc. etc. know the so-called “real mindset” of the Chinese people is like really bullshit if you all think about it.

I’ve and many others have personally learned in the last decade that there’s a wide range of opinions regarding what Chinese (Mainland) think, can do and want to do. To straight up immigrate (as in move for the long term, establish roots, get citizenship, etc.) is a dream for some but not everyone. Most people I talked to would rather just stay here for a short term, or raise their kids but only during certain times (like as in after the primary/elementary education years or they can be born in the US but still move back to Asia).

Also, there really is a generational gap. Mr. Wang I noticed was around 40. Meaning he was born in the early 70s. I’m also generalizing a bit but I’ve really noticed, and I’m sure you all do too, of several significant differences in terms of life goals and dreams between the Chinese born in the 60s-70s to those in the 80s-90s. You guys notice how many of the China bashers of Chinese origin tend to be of that older demographic than the younger. Like the younger ones also have criticisms, but like for a lot of them it’s not the “China is doom inherently with no hope” sentiments that the older ones tend to voice about. Many of the younger generation are either the spoiled bunch who do whatever they like or the pragmatic ones who would go and give their best in wherever life takes them. It’s usually those who have money and connections that can choose, but like even the poorer younger generation folks have those thoughts too.
m_wei

well, school is kind of a prerequisite for jobs, isn’t it?
huy nguyen

and this is relevant to the topic how?
huy nguyen

does that still have anything to do with the article?

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