In 2012, one year after I graduated from university, I was so confused about my life like so people my age. I had no idea what I was going to do, what I liked to do, and what I could do. I had been staying at home doing nothing for half a year when one day, my mother, gave me a stern warning urging me to find a job. No matter what the job was, she said, I had to work.

I started job hunting and a construction company called me for an interview. They eventually extended an offer for a role with their U.S.-China project. I accepted that offer because I didn't have any better choice at that time, and all I needed was to make a living and keep my mom happy.

It was August in Guangzhou, the hottest time in summer. I stayed in their temporary office working for the administration department at first. It was literally right on the construction site. Before that, I had no idea what a construction site even looked like. The only differences from my first part-time job that I had before in school were that I had to endure the hot temperature outdoors for long days and I couldn't wear nice dresses and high heels anymore. Proper work shoes and helmet instead!

Initially, I was only doing some basic admin work like helping the Project Director type his English handwriting script into a computer, taking meeting minute notes, and translating for the on-site workers and engineers. But one month later, they were short-handed in the business department. I then was asked to work for two departments at the same time. Things became crazy! I started working at 7:30 a.m. and worked overtime until 9 p.m. I finished the extra work at home after the long day without weekends. I had no time to think about if they paid me enough or not for working the two positions at the same time. What I knew was that I had to keep learning every day. I learned to understand and read the construction drawings, how to be open to criticism and deal with my pressure from work. I learned to get along well with my boss, the sub-contractors, the suppliers, the engineers and workers in a complex and chaotic environment. It was a huge challenge for a new graduate. (I also learned how to climb up the scaffold as fast as the other engineers, which surprised them a lot.)

One year after that, the project was completed, and I left that company. I haven’t been in the construction field since, but this became a valuable experience. I transformed from a lost jobless graduate into a busy construction worker. I made the connection to the outside world. I explored my potential and I gained a sense of accomplishment. I coped with my inner fears and became a stronger person.

Today, I am still proud of my experience working on the construction site as it taught me how to find my own value from work and in life. Every time I venture into a new place and doubt it might not be where I belong, I still think of that hot summer. That young girl wearing a red helmet climbing up 8 metres high on a scaffold.

She never thought it was where she belonged, but she got the job done and definitely learned a thing or two along the way.