Ms Liang Xiaoyu is currently a social media influencer with over 130,000 followers on the "Red Note" platform (@LiangXiao_). After graduating from Lingnan University, she successfully became a university lecturer. She has always adhered to the life motto, "Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles," striving to improve herself through continuous learning and exploration.
"Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles" - Starting the Journey at Lingnan University During her undergraduate studies, Liang majored in sociology, which provided her with a solid theoretical foundation and critical thinking skills. After graduation, she chose to become a flight attendant. This profession not only gave her the opportunity to explore various countries but also helped her develop communication and adaptability skills. After more than two years of flying, she gained a broader perspective and felt the desire to further improve herself. Therefore, she decided to resign from her job and pursue a master’s degree.
While preparing for her graduate studies, Liang developed a strong interest in international politics and eventually chose the Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) program at Lingnan University in Hong Kong. As a leading liberal arts college in Asia, Lingnan University attracted her with its harmonious teacher-student relationships and professionalism. She believes that Lingnan University not only provides high-quality educational resources but also creates an open and inclusive learning environment, allowing her to develop comprehensively in both academic and personal growth.
During her time at Lingnan University, Liang’s most unforgettable memories were the late-night study sessions in the library before finals. The academic pressure of a master's program in Hong Kong is quite intense. Compared to the three-year programs in Mainland China, the duration is shorter, but the workload is heavier. She and her friends often brainstormed and did homework together in the library. She recalls those days when they were still working hard at three or four in the morning. Despite the hardships, every effort made her feel fulfilled and satisfied. She shared, “When writing papers for finals, I often had to produce a 5,000-word paper in a short period. I attended classes during the day and wrote papers at night. Staying up late and drinking coffee became the norm during finals.” The continuous battle to meet deadlines in the library not only helped her forge deep friendships but also made her deeply appreciate the importance of teamwork and perseverance.
Not Planning Life by Timelines - Gaining Composure and Confidence at Lingnan University Liang's greatest gain at Lingnan University was the boost in her confidence. Each course offered numerous opportunities for presentations, which improved her presentation skills. Additionally, she learned to face life with ease, no longer planning her life around specific timelines but enjoying the process of exploration. She mentioned that quitting her job at 26 to pursue a master's degree came with anxiety, yet she adopted the attitude of "not planning life around specific timelines" through the interaction with her classmates, which let her be more confident.
Amidst her busy academic schedule, Liang particularly enjoyed spending weekends with her friends. They visited Victoria Harbour and Disneyland, explored various small islands, or stayed at home and cooked together. "Life in Hong Kong is full of fun: the endless winding paths, the confusing bus stops, the high-speed cars on narrow roads, the stark temperature difference between the air-conditioned indoors and the scorching summer heat outside, and the malls that are always having sales... these are all part of my life."
In May of that year, she attended the school's Renaissance-themed Graduation Dinner. She said, "The Graduation Dinner marked the end of my short master's life in Hong Kong, making me feel both happy and reluctant. I achieved tremendous growth in both academics and life, and I lived a very fulfilling and happy life!"
Becoming a University Lecturer - Perfectly Combining Social Media and Teaching After graduation, Liang applied for a PhD program while looking for a teaching position at a university. Fortunately, she found a job at Xi'an Eurasia University in her hometown. Her greatest achievement and satisfaction in her career came from social media. Social media ran through both of her jobs, helping her live a more disciplined life while also being energetic at work. Through social media platforms, she not only shares her professional knowledge but also connects with more like-minded people, broadening her horizons and network.
When she talks about her journey of being an influencer, she recalls the early days of her career as a flight attendant, when there were few interviewing tips available. She decided to summarize her interview experiences to help people who want to apply the job. Unexpectedly, her video clips went viral, garnering millions of views. This marked the beginning of her path in social media, where she started sharing snippets of her life, including beauty tips and personal experiences.
Her first advertisement was for Perfect Diary's foundation. After posting it, she gained 3,000 followers in a single day and over 10,000 within a week. Whenever she shares beauty posts, she reviews similar products to provide her followers with unique insights and summaries of the advertised products' features. As her traffic and followers continue to grow, she has been earning a considerable income through advertising partnerships and product review videos. She shared that the key of success lies in observing and thinking critically, analysing the reasons behind the success and failure of similar posts.
In this rapidly developing era of social media, few influencers manage to be remembered. Liang also experienced periods of bottom, but through continuous self-reflection and refinement, she deepens her work and maintains interaction with her followers. She has an optimistic lifestyle and attitude, believing that the process is more important than the result.
She believes that whether being an influencer or being a university lecturer, both are important forces in knowledge dissemination and social development. Influencer is more about freedom of creativity, while university lecturer plays a key role in systematic knowledge transmission and talent cultivation. She hopes to convey a kind of "energy" to her audience through her works: to be more determined in times of confusion, living an "experiential life."
"Don't rush, feel the journey" - Giving Everyone Enthusiasm and Positive Energy Liang encourages alumni and students who wish to enter the social media or education industry: "Don't rush, enjoy the journey. All small achievements are the result of persistent effort over time. If you want, you can become anyone you want to be." She hopes that everyone, in the pursuit of their dreams, will not be in a hurry to achieve success but will enjoy every step of the process, accumulating experience and wisdom.
"Social media is not only a platform to showcase oneself but also a window to interact with the world. Let social media record the bits and pieces of your life. The stories should be sincere and convey positive values to the public, pay attention to industry trends, learn from the experiences of excellent bloggers, and maintain your uniqueness and creativity. With perseverance and a positive attitude, you will eventually succeed in the field of social media."
