Chinese man, who dedicates 12 hours to reading, fails entrance exams after 27th attempt

A Chinese man, Shi Liang, has failed the country’s gaokao examination for the 27th time this year, leaving him with self-doubt about his childhood dream of ever going to university.

The 56-year-old, who sat for the examination, had a 424 score out of 750 total examinations, which is lower than the score needed to gain admission into any Chinese university.

Mr Liang, a self-made millionaire who took the exam in 1983 at the age of 16 for the first time has always been ambitious about his dream to attend a prestigious university in China

He abstained from alcohol and dedicated 12 hours to reading to achieve his lifelong dream; unfortunately, he likely won’t retake the examinations next year, due to his poor performance over the years.

“If I truly can’t see much hope for improvement, there is no point in doing it again. “I really did work hard every day,” he told local media in China.

“It’s hard to say whether I will keep on preparing for the gaokao next year. It’s a hard decision to make, I am not willing to give up either.”

He added, “I might give up, if I do attend it next year, I will give up my last name Liang if I fail.”

Millions of Chinese students from all walks of life partake in the entrance examination on a yearly basis.

Gaokao, is a difficult examination that tests the intellectual capacity of each candidate and determines their life choices, universities, job opportunities, marriage and lifestyle.

The examination focuses on Chinese, mathematics, english and any other science or liberal art course.

In 2021, Chinese government data revealed that about 41.6% of candidates were accepted into universities or colleges.

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Exceptional African Lady graduates with First Class in Marine Engineering, celebrates exceptional success

Monica Nancy Candny, a trailblazing 23-year-old, has etched her name in history by graduating with top honors in Marine Engineering from the esteemed Regional Maritime University. Her remarkable achievement, shared with pride on her LinkedIn feed, serves as an inspiration for aspiring individuals, especially women, seeking to make a mark in traditionally male-dominated fields.

As an Engine Cadet at Royal Caribbean International, Monica actively contributes to the smooth functioning of various vessels, including Independence of the Seas, Cestos Tug of Svitzer in Liberia, and Harmony of the Seas. Her responsibilities span maintaining and operating engine room equipment, ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime operations—a testament to her competence and dedication in a demanding profession.

Monica’s academic journey was marked by outstanding achievements, earning her a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Ghana. Acknowledging her exceptional academic performance, she was twice awarded the Dean’s list. Additionally, she holds an Associate Degree of Science from the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI). Monica’s commitment to continuous learning is reflected in her acquisition of various certifications, including Certificate of Cadetship Training, Mentoring Certified, and Crowd Management.

Her post on LinkedIn celebrating her graduation a year ago resonates with gratitude and humility. She acknowledged the support of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Liberia’s international ship and corporate registries, and the Liberia Maritime Training Institute. Monica’s journey to success is underscored by her belief that determination, coupled with confidence and discipline, can empower women to achieve anything they set their minds to.

Monica’s involvement in empowering women in the maritime industry extends beyond her professional responsibilities. She serves as an Associate Brand Ambassador for the Global Organization of Oil and Gas Professionals (GOOGPro), a Mentor for Women Offshore, and a Mentee for the Centre for Maritime Training and Development (CMTD). Her dedication to uplifting others and advocating for gender diversity in her industry is a testament to her leadership and commitment to positive change.

In a recent post celebrating her achievements in sports, Monica emphasizes the value of hard work and its role in achieving success. Her dual passion for both sports and marine engineering underscores her well-rounded approach to life and learning.

Monica’s story has garnered attention online, with articles highlighting her historic graduation with first-class honors in Marine Engineering. Her message to aspiring individuals is clear: “If you dream it, you can achieve it. If you have a passion for something, go and get it.” Her journey embodies resilience, determination, and the courage to pursue one’s dreams, breaking barriers and setting an example for future generations.

As Monica embarks on her journey as a Marine Engineer, her story continues to inspire, paving the way for more young individuals to explore and excel in unconventional career paths. The maritime industry, enriched by Monica’s diverse contributions, stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to dream.

In the quiet halls of Hightower Elementary School in DeKalb County, Georgia, Tylan Bailey spent 23 years diligently working as a custodian. Little did anyone know that beneath the janitor’s uniform was a man fueled by a dream that would challenge the conventional narrative of success.

At the age of 40, Tylan embarked on a journey many deemed improbable — he enrolled at Georgia State University, determined to earn a degree in Health and Physical Education. His aspiration was not just to graduate but to become a teacher, an ambition that had long lingered in the corridors of his heart.

Tylan’s path to academic success was far from ordinary. Growing up in the Tobie Grant housing project in Decatur, Georgia, he faced adversity from a young age. His mother, grappling with addiction, moved the family across multiple states, exposing Tylan to a turbulent childhood marked by constant relocation and instability.

Despite the challenges, Tylan’s mother instilled in him the importance of education. Through various living arrangements and a patchwork of schools, he persevered. “Kids bring guns. There’s a fight every day. And you’re waiting on your turn to fight,” he recollects, describing the volatile environment of some of the schools he attended.

Tylan’s life took a pivotal turn when, at the age of 19, he learned he was going to be a father. Determined to provide a stable life for his daughter Yazmine, he prioritized education and graduated high school a year later. Working as an elementary school custodian, he navigated the challenges of parenthood, even taking on a second job delivering newspapers to support his family

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Career Experts Suggest 4 Resume Tricks To Impress Recruiters in ‘3-to-5 Seconds’

There are few things more nerve-racking than looking for a new job. While it might provide some comfort and a much-needed confidence boost to fantasize about recruiters pouring over your resume with much determination, the reality is that hirers spend about “three-to-five seconds” looking at your resume, according to one expert. “Five is generous,” he said.


That’s not to say resumes aren’t important; they’re more valuable than ever. But they have to engage their readers immediately with uber-pertinent information and keywords, according to Simon A. Taylor, Head of Organizational Effectiveness & Change Management at Gap Inc. and the author of the forthcoming “Build Smart: A Blueprint for Building a High-Performing Organization.”

Jeff Hyman, CEO of Recruit Rockstars, who has interviewed over 30,000 people during his 25-year career, concurred that being concise serves job seekers well. “You don’t want to submit a lengthy, two-page resume in a small font listing every job or accomplishment you’ve ever had,” he said. “It’s never going to work in your favor.”

Here’s four resume tricks that will help you impress recruiters in three-to-five (or six, per CNBC Make It) seconds.

1. Parallel the Job Description

Your resume and cover letter should reflect each and every job to which you apply. Make sure you review the description of the job to which you’re applying and include keywords and current job titles that imitate the posting.

“You want to create a customized version of your resume that mirrors the job description so that the person reading your resume thinks, ‘Oh my God … how could we not interview this person?'” Hyman stated.

2. Provide a Resume Summary

A two- or three-sentence introduction to your resume has gone in and out of fashion over the past decade. The practice is currently in favor as recruiters are spending less time reviewing resumes. As CNBC Make It noted, a concise summary of an applicant’s top skills — or “a couple of bullets at the very top of their resume summarizing the top six skills they have or types of experience,” said Taylor — isn’t necessary, but it might prompt employers to read past a handful of seconds.

3. Feature Relevant Past Job Experience

If you think the job experience section of your resume is a standard list of past positions and roles, think again. This area is an opportunity to customize your resume so it gels with the advertised job description. By emphasizing past roles and reputable companies that are a good fit to a prospective employer, you’re filling in a lot of blanks for recruiters.

4. Highlight Achievements and Results

Too much unfocused information on a resume is a red flag, according to Hyman. Resumes shouldn’t exceed one page and should highlight promotions, mentorships, tough assignments and concrete accomplishments rather than vague descriptions.

Recruiters are increasingly interested in leadership and management skills. “Any experience that you’ve had around leadership, people development, hiring or mentoring people is one of the most important things that recruiters and executives want to see in a resume,” said Hyman.

In the words of Taylor, “It’s not always as black and white,” as crucial requirements, but there are common resume elements that recruiters are looking always for. If you’re cautious with creativity and follow the employer’s needs, you’ll improve your chances at a follow up and interview or, hopefully, a job offer.

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I’m a hiring manager — here’s how to get your job application noticed

In the market for a new job? A talent acquisition manager is sharing a surefire tip for getting noticed by hiring specialists.

“If you’re applying for 100-plus jobs, you are wasting your time,” Gretchen Wiegerink, who works for a staffing agency, declared in a trending TikTok last week. “Being on the job market is a job in itself, so quality versus quantity is huge in this case.”

“Take time to read job descriptions,” she continued. “Take time to look at company websites, Glassdoor [reviews]. You want to make sure that company’s core values — and also just the job description and what they’re actually looking for in this hire — align with your core values, your traits, your skill set.”

The job research site Zippia found that on average, it takes 21 to 80 job applications to get one offer.

Plus, the typical corporate job opening receives around 250 applications.

“If you’re applying for 100-plus jobs, you are wasting your time,” Gretchen Wiegerink, who works for a staffing agency, declared in a trending TikTok last week.TikTok / @gretchenwiegerink

To stand out from the pack, Wiegerink advises using LinkedIn to your advantage

“After you apply to a position, go to that company’s LinkedIn immediately. Click the ‘People’ tab, find the talent acquisition manager or HR manager, and send them a connection invite with a note,” she recommended in her 2-minute clip, which has received over 370,000 views.

She added: “Introduce yourself, let them know you just applied for XX position. You can kind of sell yourself with a couple … sentences there. Let them know your availability for a call.”

There are an estimated 771 million active LinkedIn users worldwide, according to 2023 statistics, with active membership expected to grow to 942.8 million in 2028.

“I’m always on LinkedIn, so when somebody applies and then connects with me and sends a note with that, I will read it,” Wiegerink shared. “And if it’s grammatically correct, maybe their resume is attached, they’re expressing their genuine interest, I will respond to you no matter what. A good recruiter or HR manager will respond to you.”

“After you apply to a position, go to that company’s LinkedIn immediately. Click the ‘People’ tab, find the talent acquisition manager or HR manager, and send them a connection invite with a note,” Wiegerink recommended in her 2-minute TikTok, which has received over 370,000 views.@gretchenwiegerink/Tiktok

In the comments section of Wiegerink’s post, TikTokers laid bare their application struggles.

“I only apply to 3 jobs a day so I can put in quality applications. 0 response from HR managers,” one person lamented.

“I’ve been ghosted numerous by hiring managers after reaching out to them via LinkedIn message,” another person sighed.

“Maybe that company/hiring manager doesn’t care to give feedback,” Wiegerink responded. “If they don’t spend 10 seconds writing you back (even if it’s them saying they aren’t moving forward) maybe that’s someone you don’t want.”

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10 Financial Tips for Young Adults Make a Smart Move Now

When you’re young, it may seem like there’s no need to save money — you can always do it later, right? However, while it might seem easy to live your life from paycheck to paycheck for the time being, starting to save now will prepare you for the future and protect you in case of emergencies.

Getting your financial footing can be a challenge when you’re young, especially if you have student loan payments or a new mortgage make you feel penniless. Putting aside just a bit of your money in the bank can make a huge difference — but there’s more you can do than that.

In this article, we’ll cover 10 tips for young adults who want to start their financially-independent years on the right foot.

1. Educate Yourself

Take charge of your financial future and read a few basic books on personal finance. Once armed with knowledge, don’t let anyone take you off track, whether a significant other who encourages you to waste money or friends who plan expensive trips and events you can't afford. Research professionals like financial planners, mortgage lenders, or accountants before utilizing their services.

2. Start Saving Early

When you’re not earning much, saving may seem like a big challenge, but setting aside a few bucks a week can still help down the road. You can use your budget to determine how much money you’ll be able to put into savings every month.

If you’re looking to invest, check if your employer offers a 401(k) account. If they do, calculate how much you can afford to contribute from your salary and steadily increase it as you earn more.

3. Learn to Budget

Once you’ve read a few personal finance books, you will understand two rules. Never let your expenses exceed your income, and watch where your money goes. The best way to do this is by budgeting and creating a personal spending plan to track the money coming in and going out.

Tracking expenses, like your expensive morning coffee, can provide a valuable wake-up call. Small changes in your everyday expenses are under your control and can impact your financial situation. Keeping monthly expenses, like rent, as low as possible can save you money over time and put you in a position to invest in your own home sooner than later.

4. Minimize Debt

A budget is one of the most helpful tools to strengthen your finances. Although the word can seem scary, knowing where your money goes throughout the month is one of the most empowering facets of financial literacy. For example, reviewing your expenses can reveal an unused streaming subscription, weekly restaurant trips and an old gym membership. Addressing these expenses can net you a quick $100 a month in your budget, allowing for more saving and investing.

On that note, managing your debt is vital to your finances. For instance, student loans and credit cards can spiral out of control, putting you further behind your financial goals. Instead of letting interest payments eat up more cash, it’s best to create a debt repayment plan. There are two popular approaches to debt repayment: snowball or avalanche.

The snowball strategy means paying off your smallest debts first. Once you repay your smallest debt balance, you can apply this payment to your next smallest debt. This way, you gain momentum with each payment. On the other hand, the avalanche approach means attacking the debt with the highest interest rate, the logic being that interest makes debt more expensive over time. This way, you get rid of the costliest debt first, allowing you to apply an increasing amount of money to your debt’s principal.

Remember, debt is the inverse of an investment. An investment grows based on a rate of return, and debt grows because of interest. Therefore, it’s key to get your debt under control before you start investing significant amounts of money.

5. Keep Track of Your Spending Habits

A budget gives you a foundation for tracking your spending. In addition, a habit of spending less than you make will help unusually high spending become apparent. So, it’s best to give your finances a quick review every two or three months. Specifically, you can review your bank and credit card statements to see if you can reduce any expenditures in the future.
6. Start an Emergency Fund

Once you get into the habit of saving money, you will stop treating savings as optional and start treating it as a required monthly expense. Many accounts offer the power of compound interest, such as a high-yield savings account, short-term certificate of deposit (CD), or money market account.

Surprise expenses can derail the best-laid spending plan. For example, your budget might be chugging along for several months before you need a $700 car repair. Then, suddenly, your investment contributions are out the window, and it can be hard to get back on track once the emergency is over.

To combat this situation, start an emergency fund along with your investment fund. You can build it up over time in your savings account. A good rule of thumb is to have three to six months of expenses in an emergency fund. This way, a broken furnace or surprise medical bill will be a minor bump in the road instead of a crisis.

7. Separate your needs from wants

Many graduates make the mistake of immediately getting a new car and making other big purchases once they land a job. However, making large purchases is about more than being able to make monthly payments; it’s also about being able to pay your debt.

To help you limit accumulating debts, be sure to live within your means and understand how delayed gratification works — it’s a lot cheaper to save up and purchase things in full rather than using credit or loans for each purchase.

8. Monitor Your Taxes

When a company offers you a starting salary, calculate whether that salary after taxes meets your financial needs and savings goals. Many online calculators help you see your after-tax salary, such as PaycheckCity.com, and chart your gross pay (total earnings) and net pay (earnings after taxes and other deductions or take-home pay). In 2022, an annual salary of $35,000 in New York netted $28,270 after federal and state taxes, or about $2,356 per month.3

In the U.S., low-income earners are taxed at a lower rate than higher-income earners—the higher your salary, the higher the tax rate. A salary increase from $35,000 to $41,000 a year looks like an extra $6,000 per year or $500 per month, but the tax rate will be higher, so it will only give you $4,227, or $352 per month.

In addition, your retirement accounts have unique tax implications. For example, a traditional 401(k) uses pre-tax dollars, lowering your tax burden while you work. However, you’ll pay income taxes when you withdraw money from your account during retirement. On the other hand, a Roth IRA uses money the government has already taxed, and you’ll pay zero taxes on income from this account when you’re retired. Therefore, tax planning while you’re young can help you optimize your finances.9. Save for Retirement

You might think it’s too early to think about retirement — after all, you just graduated college, right? But remember that the sooner you start saving, the sooner you’ll be able to stop working and start enjoying your life. No matter how young you are, plan for your retirement now. With the power of compound interest, when you start saving in your 20s, you will earn interest not only on the principal you deposit but also on the interest you earn over time, and you will have what you need to retire someday

Look into company-sponsored retirement plans so you can set aside pre-tax dollars and have the company match your contributions — it’s practically free money

10. Guard Your Health

Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing expenses in the United States. You can lower your chances of spending huge sums of money on hospital bills by making sure that your health stays in tip-top shape.

This means eating well-balanced and nutritious meals, regularly exercising, having regular check-ups, and monitoring any conditions you may already have.
If you’re uninsured, don’t wait to apply for health insurance.

If employed, your employer may offer health insurance, including high-deductible health plans that save on premiums and qualify you for a Health Savings Account (HSA). If you’re under the age of 26, you may be to stay on your parent’s health insurance, an option that has been allowed since the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Many young adults make financial mistakes. Some will encounter bigger problems than others, but that’s okay. It’s important to understand that help is available to get you back on track if needed. 

You don’t need an MBA in Finance or specialized training to become an expert at managing your finances. By following these ten tips above, you will be on the path to financial security. Start right now. The younger you are, the more your savings can grow.

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