Driving toward automotive excellence

Upon entering college, He discovered the importance of integrating theory with practice.

"In theory classes, we delve into mechanical principles, which provide us with the foundation of machinery design. We then apply these theories in the automotive repair training center, where we study not only traditional fuel vehicles but also new energy vehicles," explained He.

"Due to my experience in vocational high school, my mentor praised my performance in practical classes, making me more certain that I'm on the right path."

In his junior year of college, He decided to apply for graduate school because he realized that what he had learned from college was still not enough for him to build a car. "There's still so much to learn about automobiles," he said.

The preparation process for the graduate school entrance exam was extremely stressful, especially since He was aiming for a competitive program at the School of Mechanical and Transportation Engineering at Chongqing University.

"During the second semester of my junior year, I joined a group chat with students preparing for the same program and found that many had impressive accolades from competitions or came from prestigious universities. I was daunted and discouraged at first," He admitted.

However, he refused to succumb to self-doubt. "No student from my college had ever been admitted to Chongqing University. When others found out where I was applying, they would say, 'What makes you think you can be the first to succeed?'" He recalled. "I thought to myself, 'Well, since nobody has ever achieved it, it wouldn't be too embarrassing if I failed.'"

He dedicated months to studying, with minimal breaks for meals and sleep, investing 14 hours a day.

He attributed his sharp focus and perseverance to his love for the field. "I could spend hours in the training room honing my skills without feeling tired at all."

He also highlighted the crucial support he received from his family and friends. "It took time for my parents to come to terms with and ultimately endorse my decision to transfer to a vocational high school, but they've been very supportive ever since," he said. "My cousin and classmates also offered comfort and encouragement from a peer's perspective."

Starting his studies at Chongqing University this fall, He is poised to pursue his dream of building his own car.

"I'm consistently uncovering more facets of the automotive industry. It has evolved beyond the conventional image of repairing cars while covered in dirty engine oil; there are now many high-tech applications. I believe the automotive industry can be considered a 'high-precision' sector," he said. "To aspiring youths intrigued by this field, I urge them to explore and engage. Give it a try; this field may surprise you."

Contact the writers at lixinran@i21st.cn