Thank You For Being Such A Vital Part Of Our Team, Qian Zhang! We Look Forward To Sharing More About You So Others Can Get To Know You Better!
Tell us a bit about your backstory and what lead you down your current life path.
I graduated from Texas Woman’s University with an MBA degree. I moved to Chicago in 2017. I currently work in the banking industry. When I was a child, I thought it would be cool to work in a bank. I made it! 😊
What or who inspired you to pursue your career?
Challenge inspires me in my career. I had no banking experience. I started as a part-time Financial Sales Representative. I was promoted to a Senior Financial Sales Representative. I am still looking for more career challenges.
What is one thing you are proud of achieving in your life?
I brought my husband to volunteer in the Chicago Hoka Half Marathon so he could see other couples to run the half marathon. After that, he wanted to run with me. We are going to try this year to run Chicago Hoka Half Marathon. I am proud of bringing my husband to join me in giving back to the community.
What keeps you motivated? What maintains your passion for and commitment to the work you are doing?
Encouragement keeps me motivated. Every time when I see a little process, it helps me to grow. Every time when I make a progress, I try harder. My passion and commitment to work encourage me. In turn, I like to encourage people and see them grow. I like to help others even with small things. I like to know people’s stories and help them to explore life. I like to see people achieve their goals. I like to encourage people to chase their dreams.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I have a colleague who is in her 60s. She joined the team in an entry-level position. I come from a country that has different cultures. The legal retirement age for women is 55. My colleague is very passionate and energized. She tries hard and is very responsible. I feel grateful for her. Compared to my colleague’s peers, I think she is outstanding. I think she is brave and a blessing. I learned from her to try to explore my life. I learned from her to attain my dreams. I learned from her how to be brave.
If you were granted three wishes, what would they be and why?
I want to have a healthy baby and raise he/she to 18 years old with my husband.
I want to achieve my career goal.
I hope this world can be better for everyone.
Why did you choose to be a Fundraising Committee Member of Educate. Radiate. Elevate.?
The vision of Educate. Radiate. Elevate inspires me a lot. I believe everyone’s talent is different. However, education can make a difference. If everyone has access to resources, our society would be much different. I benefited from my education a great deal. I acquired academic knowledge and good connections. I believe education can change a person’s view of this world. I hope that, as a member of this nonprofit, I can make this world better. I think we can reduce inequities through education. Education helped me to achieve my career and it helped me to know this world better.
What about the Educate. Radiate. Elevate.’s Purpose, Mission, and Core Values speaks most to you and why?
Helping students with limited resources is a kind choice. We have the resources to give back to our community. Our young generation can access opportunities to reduce the uneven distribution of these resources. When our children grow up, hopefully, they can do the same thing for their communities. Hopefully, generation by generation, we can make this world better. I know we can make it happen!
