25-year-old Xiao Li graduated with a degree in diagnostic imaging from Dalian Medical University in 2022. After working at a hospital in Guangxi province, she resigned for personal reasons.
In 4/2025, she opened a mango ice cream stand in Hechi City, Guangxi, to support herself while studying for the civil service exam. Videos of her making ice cream while sharing her medical school experiences unexpectedly went viral on social media.
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Xiao Li's mango ice cream stand in Guangxi province, opened in 4/2025. Photo: Red Star News |
Xiao Li's mango ice cream stand in Guangxi province, opened in 4/2025. Photo: Red Star News
Trouble started when Li posted a video sharing the difficulties of starting her business, mentioning her former university. She received a call from someone claiming to be a teacher, demanding she remove the video immediately. "Their tone wasn't concerned, but rather commanding, saying the video negatively affected current students", Li recounted. The insistent calls and messages led her to stop by the roadside and delete the video.
But the story didn't end there. As the incident spread, curious onlookers flocked to her stall, along with malicious comments mocking her for "disgracing the school" and having "poor academic performance". The overwhelming pressure forced Li to temporarily close her business.
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Medical school graduate Xiao Li. Photo: Red Star News |
Medical school graduate Xiao Li. Photo: Red Star News
In response to media inquiries, Dalian Medical University stated that the information about the school demanding the video's removal was untrue. The school suggested that Li might be staging the situation for "views", while claiming they always support their graduates' career choices. However, when asked if any teacher had contacted Li, the school representative declined to answer, fueling public suspicion.
Many believe that instead of worrying about their image, schools should focus more on students' adaptability. Xiao Li's independent business venture, without relying on her family, demonstrates her maturity.
Li's story also reflects the pressure many new graduates face: landing a job "in their field of study" and "worthy of their degree". A medical graduate selling ice cream has touched upon the societal prejudice regarding "prestigious vs. menial jobs" in China.
Minh Phuong (According to Sohu, 163.com)
