My name is Maohua Chen (谌茂华).
I was born in the early 1990s in a rural town in Hunan, China.
I started my career analyzing business requirements, supported by a strong academic foundation in insurance.
Over time, I realized that understanding business processes and rules was no longer enough for me.
I wanted to explore how systems are truly built from a technical perspective. So I started leaning to code from scratch.
My journey has taken me step by step from county to city,
from provincial capital to the national capital, and eventually abroad.
Each move reshaped me in different ways.
I'm still iterating and debugging my own life.
I don't know exactly where the road will lead, but if you're curious about the path so far, here is MY JOURNEY.
2024.8 - presentWinnipeg, Canada
The new language, culture, and diverse society challenged my old ways of thinking. I felt like a teenager exploring a broader world, with my personality slowly reshaped by my surroundings. The serene nature brought me peace, and moments with friends gave me a sense of home away from home.
2024.8 - presentWinnipeg, Canada
The new language, culture, and diverse society challenged my old ways of thinking. I felt like a teenager exploring a broader world, with my personality slowly reshaped by my surroundings. The serene nature brought me peace, and moments with friends gave me a sense of home away from home.
2024.5 - 2024.8Shanghai, China
I returned to Shanghai for a short-term project, with occasional business trips to Hong Kong. It was a chance to meet my leader and former colleagues again, as well as new mentor who was intelligent and empathetic. Being back in the workplace made me reflect on some of my previous biases, and I was glad to finally understand how valuable it is to engage with others.
2024.5 - 2024.8Shanghai, China
I returned to Shanghai for a short-term project, with occasional business trips to Hong Kong. It was a chance to meet my leader and former colleagues again, as well as new mentor who was intelligent and empathetic. Being back in the workplace made me reflect on some of my previous biases, and I was glad to finally understand how valuable it is to engage with others.
2023.4 - 2024.5Changde, China
Preparing for the study abroad application. It was the first time since elementary school that I had spent such a long time with my parents. I came to accept that I cannot change my parents, and learned to laugh off their nagging instead of getting worked up and arguing like I used to. Even in the same family, we all have our own lives.
2023.4 - 2024.5Changde, China
Preparing for the study abroad application. It was the first time since elementary school that I had spent such a long time with my parents. I came to accept that I cannot change my parents, and learned to laugh off their nagging instead of getting worked up and arguing like I used to. Even in the same family, we all have our own lives.
2023.3Yangshuo, China
First time playing Werewolf past midnight with friends, and I finally understood the meaning of playing games. We hiked together, watched the sunrise, went groceryshopping and cooked meals, built a little house for a kitten, and played role-playing murder mystery… Saying goodbye to people I had only just met filled me with unexpected regret. After they had all left, I stayed on for a few more days, and it rained constantly in Yangshuo.
2023.3Yangshuo, China
First time playing Werewolf past midnight with friends, and I finally understood the meaning of playing games. We hiked together, watched the sunrise, went groceryshopping and cooked meals, built a little house for a kitten, and played role-playing murder mystery… Saying goodbye to people I had only just met filled me with unexpected regret. After they had all left, I stayed on for a few more days, and it rained constantly in Yangshuo.
2022.10 - 2023.2Changde, China
The end of covid lockdown in China. The situation grew increasingly irrational, yet I was profoundly inspired by the bravery of others. After multiple IELTS cancellations and mounting pressure from my family, I decided to leave.
2022.10 - 2023.2Changde, China
The end of covid lockdown in China. The situation grew increasingly irrational, yet I was profoundly inspired by the bravery of others. After multiple IELTS cancellations and mounting pressure from my family, I decided to leave.
2022.9 - 2022.10Guilin, China
I fell in love with the mountains, the rivers, and the food there. The city moved at a relaxed pace. It was there that I first realized that even the simplest physical work can feel deeply fulfilling, no matter how exhausting the work or how basic the living conditions, once you’ve been embraced by someone you love.
2022.9 - 2022.10Guilin, China
I fell in love with the mountains, the rivers, and the food there. The city moved at a relaxed pace. It was there that I first realized that even the simplest physical work can feel deeply fulfilling, no matter how exhausting the work or how basic the living conditions, once you’ve been embraced by someone you love.
2022.8 - 2022.9Pingtan Island, China
My first work exchange experience. Living on an island, swimming in the sea, and driving the scooter to chase the sunset. At the end of this work exchange, my friend came to visit me. I managed to book the largest room for her at the price of a standard one. It was the first time I truly felt that my work could directly bring happiness to someone close to me, and that made me happy too.
2022.8 - 2022.9Pingtan Island, China
My first work exchange experience. Living on an island, swimming in the sea, and driving the scooter to chase the sunset. At the end of this work exchange, my friend came to visit me. I managed to book the largest room for her at the price of a standard one. It was the first time I truly felt that my work could directly bring happiness to someone close to me, and that made me happy too.
2022.2 - 2022.7Hangzhou, China
I was referred to this position and intrigued by the opportunity to work with Alibaba Cloud professionals. After serveral persistent follow-ups from HR, I decided to join the project. While I resigned again within six months, as the work culture and strict pandemic lockdown environment did not align with my long-term expectations.
2022.2 - 2022.7Hangzhou, China
I was referred to this position and intrigued by the opportunity to work with Alibaba Cloud professionals. After serveral persistent follow-ups from HR, I decided to join the project. While I resigned again within six months, as the work culture and strict pandemic lockdown environment did not align with my long-term expectations.
2021.7 - 2022.2Changde, China
My mom’s car accident was the first time I truly felt how close death can be. Life is unpredictable, and I began to realize that if there’s something I want to do, I shouldn’t wait too long. I truly appreciated IBM and the colleguess who supported me there. But on the day I realized I had lived 10000 days, I chose to resign.
2021.7 - 2022.2Changde, China
My mom’s car accident was the first time I truly felt how close death can be. Life is unpredictable, and I began to realize that if there’s something I want to do, I shouldn’t wait too long. I truly appreciated IBM and the colleguess who supported me there. But on the day I realized I had lived 10000 days, I chose to resign.
2017.7 - 2021.7Shanghai, China
The first four years of my career were shaped by senior colleagues whose guidance left a lasting impact on me. At the time, although the social climate was subtly shifting, I still remainied optimistic about the future. In 2019, I started to approach sociology through self-study. I applied twice to the Women’s Studies graduate program at Peking University. Eventually I realized without formal undergraduate training, reading alone could not fully prepare me for the professional exams.
2017.7 - 2021.7Shanghai, China
The first four years of my career were shaped by senior colleagues whose guidance left a lasting impact on me. At the time, although the social climate was subtly shifting, I still remainied optimistic about the future. In 2019, I started to approach sociology through self-study. I applied twice to the Women’s Studies graduate program at Peking University. Eventually I realized without formal undergraduate training, reading alone could not fully prepare me for the professional exams.
2015.9 – 2021.7Beijing, China
Living in the North of China for the first time. I met friends here who inspired me with their confidence and self-assurance. On weekends, I often skated the streets on my pennyboard or met friends for meals and photo outings. I like Beijing’s historic architecture and the abundance of free cultural events, though the smog, drafting willow fluff, and poor traffic could be frustrating.
2015.9 – 2021.7Beijing, China
Living in the North of China for the first time. I met friends here who inspired me with their confidence and self-assurance. On weekends, I often skated the streets on my pennyboard or met friends for meals and photo outings. I like Beijing’s historic architecture and the abundance of free cultural events, though the smog, drafting willow fluff, and poor traffic could be frustrating.
2015.6 – 2015.8Shenzhen, China
Work as a manager assistant in China Merchants Bank. After my internship, I traveled to nearby cities, and Hong Kong was my first encounter with a truly international city. The diversity of people and the atmosphere felt completely different from mainland cities. I also spent my first night camping on a small island away from the land. The sunrises, sunsets, and starry skies over the sea remain unforgettable to me.
2015.6 – 2015.8Shenzhen, China
Work as a manager assistant in China Merchants Bank. After my internship, I traveled to nearby cities, and Hong Kong was my first encounter with a truly international city. The diversity of people and the atmosphere felt completely different from mainland cities. I also spent my first night camping on a small island away from the land. The sunrises, sunsets, and starry skies over the sea remain unforgettable to me.
2011.9 – 2015.6Changsha, China
I’m technically an adult, but mentally I still feel like a middle schooler. I kept up my old routine of studying, taking exams, and spending hours in the library. I bought my first digital camera but rarely brought it out due to shyness. I hadn’t given much thought to the future and didn’t know what career path I wanted. When I failed the recommendation-based admission at my university, I chose to take the graduate entrance exam, and was lucky enough to be accepted.
2011.9 – 2015.6Changsha, China
I’m technically an adult, but mentally I still feel like a middle schooler. I kept up my old routine of studying, taking exams, and spending hours in the library. I bought my first digital camera but rarely brought it out due to shyness. I hadn’t given much thought to the future and didn’t know what career path I wanted. When I failed the recommendation-based admission at my university, I chose to take the graduate entrance exam, and was lucky enough to be accepted.
1994.2 – 2011.9Changde, China
I didn’t leave my home province until I graduated from high school. For most of my middle and high school years, I lived in the school dormitory and only returned home on weekends.
1994.2 – 2011.9Changde, China
I didn’t leave my home province until I graduated from high school. For most of my middle and high school years, I lived in the school dormitory and only returned home on weekends.
