Her Story
About Ying
Ying Ying has been working in the education field since 2015. She oversees the operations and recruitment strategies for her current university, acting as a bridge for international students by sharing information on benefits, procedures, and how to prepare for visa interviews. After training to be a teacher in China, she came to the United States in 2012 as an international student and earned her master's in educational leadership from California State University, Northridge. Ying Ying founded International Students Thrive, through which she organizes community events, hikes, museum visits, and online webinars to help international students connect. She is currently a doctoral student, maintains an Etsy store selling jewelry, and is a member of the Women's Business Center. Her work emphasizes authenticity and supporting global mindsets amid policy challenges.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ying
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Trust yourself. There were times I felt like I couldn't move forward, but mentors told me I have enough experience to share and should present at conferences. Trust yourself and know you have so much more to give.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be patient with the process to explore the directions you want to take, because everyone's rhythm is different. Understand what makes you happy. Be true to yourself because money doesn't define happiness.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is government policies and people's needs. For example, international students may need to wait longer for visa interviews with higher decline rates. Universities may stay away from this group. As an immigrant and previous international student, resilience and adaptability are important, and the world needs people with global mindsets more than ever.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, authenticity. When people ask difficult questions, I give true answers and my personal experience so they understand the whole picture. Personally, it's never too late to learn and explore. We all deserve to live the life we want, not let others define what is right or wrong.
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