Oxbridge Alumnus Transitions to Food Delivery Role in China: "The position isn't undesirable"
In an unexpected turn of events, Ding Yuanzhao, a man with an impressive academic background, has found himself working as a food delivery rider in both Singapore and China. His remarkable educational journey includes degrees from top universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Oxford University, and Nanyang Technological University, where he earned his PhD in biology and environmental microbiology.
After completing his postdoctoral research at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Ding faced significant challenges in the job market. Despite sending out numerous resumes and attending over ten interviews, he was unable to secure a suitable position following the end of his contract in March of the previous year.
In 2023, Ding registered as a food delivery rider in Singapore, finding the job to be stable and sufficient to support his family, earning about 700 Singapore dollars (approximately US$550) per week working long hours. He noted the job provided physical exercise as an added benefit.
By mid-2025, Ding had returned to China and continued working as a food delivery rider in Fujian province. He expressed that despite his education, the delivery work is "not a bad job" and allows a decent living, reflecting the broader issue of underemployment faced by some highly educated individuals in today's challenging job markets.
Ding's unique career path has gained attention on social media, earning him the title of "the food delivery worker with the highest education level." Some social media users question the value of education, while others praise Ding's resilience and proactive approach to life's challenges.
Despite his unconventional career, Ding encourages students who have just completed China's national university entrance exam to stay positive. He believes that hard work can lead to a decent living in any job, and he finds value in his work as a food delivery rider, considering it a way to contribute to society.
All these years, Ding Yuanzhao's professional trajectory veered away from the traditional path of education-and-self-development and career-development he initially envisioned. His current lifestyle as a food delivery rider in both Singapore and China, despite its unconventionality, serves as a testament to his resilience and proactive approach to life's challenges. The general-news about him has sparked enthusiastic discussions on social media, touching upon the topics of education, career, and the broader issue of underemployment in today's job markets.
