MANY people think of programmers as men in plaid shirts who write code day and night. However, in Shenzhen where internet talents gather, programmers are more than this stereotype.

Zhang Shile, a graduate of the First Vocational Technical School of Shenzhen, has used interactive technology to spice up various light shows in the city, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

Zhang was admitted to the First Vocational Technical School of Shenzhen in 2011 as a computer major. Through personal efforts, Zhang stood out among some 30 students and entered the school team for vocational skill competitions.

Zhang’s intelligence, perseverance and love for film and television post-production projects impressed Ji Liang, the team’s teacher during the team’s selection and training process.

Ji was quoted saying “She has good artistic taste, and her works are pleasing to the eyes. They are very suitable for film and television post-production competition projects. She also has strong hands-on ability.”

In 2013, Zhang won third prize at the National Competition for Skills of Vocational Education. According to Zhang’s alma mater, few of the school’s female students can break into the national competition and win a prize.

In 2014, Zhang participated in an exchange program between her alma mater and Waikato Institute of Technology, New Zealand. Before graduation, she successfully applied to an innovative science and technology program in Wellington, the country’s capital.

With Zhang’s excellent collection of works, she was later transferred to the innovative design major of Victoria University of Wellington.

Since her birth, Zhang’s home has always been in Luohu, Shenzhen. She returned to China after graduation and decorated her hometown with technology after returning to Shenzhen.

Zhang participated in Bao’an District’s National Day light show design and was one of the light show design directors of the 2019 Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture. Some installations in Nanshan District have also adopted her technology ideas.

This year, Zhang was admitted to a postgraduate computer science program at the University of Macao, with a focus on digital image security.

“Shenzheners may have very different ideals, but their perseverance and matter-of-fact attitude shine in the process of struggle,” Zhang said.

(Zhang Yu)