Chinese Doctor with PhD Quits Hospital Job to Deliver Food, Pursue Music
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago7 MIN
Summary
Liu Zihan (劉子涵), 31, a Chinese medical doctor with a PhD, has abandoned her successful career as a psychiatrist and postdoctoral researcher at a Grade 3A hospital in Zhuhai to pursue a more flexible lifestyle as a part-time freelancer. After two years of deliberation, she resigned from her prestigious position in February, choosing instead to deliver food, perform at a pub, and sell breakfast while connecting with a diverse community of friends who operate restaurants and food stalls. Liu, who grew up in Hebei province and attended the renowned Hengshui High School, earned her doctoral degree at the University of Macau's Faculty of Health Sciences and had received positive feedback from patients who sent her thank-you letters and gratitude pennants. She characterises her decision as rejecting the "meritocratic" path in favour of genuine human connection.
Key Points
- Liu Zihan, 31, held dual roles as a psychiatrist and postdoctoral researcher at a Grade 3A hospital in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, the highest tier in China's national healthcare classification system .
- She earned her doctoral degree from the University of Macau's Faculty of Health Sciences at age 27 in 2022, having previously studied medicine at Sichuan University after attending the nationally renowned Hengshui High School .
- Liu spent two years contemplating her resignation before finally leaving her full-time position in February, stating she could no longer tolerate the rigid daily schedule required by conventional work environments .
- Since resigning, Liu has taken up varied part-time jobs including food delivery, pub performances, and breakfast sales, describing her new circle of friends as operators of restaurants, pubs, and food stalls .
- She received positive feedback from patients during her medical career, with some sending thank-you letters and gratitude pennants; Liu stated she prefers "genuine communication between hearts" .
Why It Matters
Liu's story reflects a growing trend among educated young Chinese professionals who are rejecting traditional career paths in favour of work-life balance and personal fulfilment. Her choice challenges the prevailing notion in Chinese society that academic achievement should inevitably lead to prestigious, high-paying positions, potentially inspiring others to question conventional definitions of success. In Hong Kong, where burnout and overwork are common complaints among medical professionals, Liu's decision highlights the ongoing tension between career ambition and personal well-being that resonates with workers across the region .
Liu's story reflects a growing trend among educated young Chinese professionals who are rejecting traditional career paths in favour of work-life balance and personal fulfilment. Her choice challenges the prevailing notion in Chinese society that academic achievement should inevitably lead to prestigious, high-paying positions, potentially inspiring others to question conventional definitions of success. In Hong Kong, where burnout and overwork are common complaints among medical professionals, Liu's decision highlights the ongoing tension between career ambition and personal well-being that resonates with workers across the region .