From side gig to main occupation

Wang Ping, 28, a freelance translator

I had been working as a network administrator in a small loan company in Beijing for three years. I became unemployed during the company's job cuts in December due to its downsizing plan. Fortunately, I can still have my sideline income from doing translation to support myself.

Because I am fond of English and I am good at the language, I did some Chinese-to-English translation in my college time to earn pocket money.

I have also helped people applying for studying abroad write English essays and their resumes to use on their applications.

I have kept these part-time jobs in college after graduation, because I had enough time and energy after finishing my work and I also wanted to earn extra money.

I've been staying in contact with translation and application agencies and cooperating with them. They give me assignments now and then.

The payments are not high but at least I still have income sources after losing my job.

I will not look for a new job now. I want to go back to college to improve myself. I plan to stay home, preparing for the entrance examination next year for a masters in computer science. During the gap, I will do some translation or essay-writing jobs to support myself.

Wang Ping spoke with Zhang Yi.