Move over, traditional career guides. In an era where jobs can involve managing virtual economies, designing sustainable cities, or programming artificial intelligence, the classic career path isn’t kids’ only option. For the next generation navigating a world of limitless career possibilities, the well-meaning advice to “follow your passion” can feel overwhelming without a map. Now, a wave of adults with truly fascinating jobs are throwing that map wide open. They’re stepping out of their labs, studios, and field sites to share the real, unfiltered career advice they wish they’d had – not just about how to land the job, but how to build a life of curiosity, resilience and purpose. This is more than career day; it’s a mentorship movement designed to inspire the innovators, problem-solver,s and dreamers of tomorrow.
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What’s your name, and give us the Elevator Pitch about your job.
My name is MJ Wang. As a Partner at WildChina, we specialize in turning the impossible into possible. Our focus is on designing high-end, experiential travel and corporate events that create meaningful cross-cultural connections for global leaders, from Fortune 500 companies to government delegations, helping them elevate their relationship networks and life-changing experiences.
Could you walk me through a typical day or week in your role? What are your primary responsibilities?
A typical week involves consulting with senior executives to design bespoke programs—from large-scale investor summits to executive exchange missions. A blend of high-level strategy and hands-on project management. My primary responsibilities include:
Client Strategy: Consulting with senior executives to design bespoke programs, from large-scale investor summits and executive exchanges to intimate VIP retreats.
Creative Direction: Leading my team in the thoughtful design of program content, ensuring every detail contributes to the client’s strategic goals.
Cross-Cultural Leadership: Managing the complexities of multinational and multicultural projects, coordinating with local partners across the globe to ensure seamless execution.
Business Development: Nurturing long-term relationships with our portfolio of global clients and exploring new opportunities, especially in supporting Chinese enterprises in their overseas expansion.
What is the most rewarding or fulfilling part of your work? What problems do you get to solve? On the flip side, what are the most significant challenges or stressful aspects of your job?
The most fulfilling part is seeing the tangible impact of our work in creating life-changing experiences. The core problem we solve is fostering genuine human connection across cultures. When a large-scale event we’ve orchestrated successfully strengthens a client’s global network, or when we facilitate a deep cultural insight for an executive team, that is incredibly rewarding.
The most significant challenge is inherent in our mission: managing the complexity of these high-stakes, logistically intricate projects. Orchestrating events for over 500 – 1000 participants across different countries and cultures, while aligning the expectations of diverse stakeholders, requires meticulous planning and a calm demeanor under pressure. It truly tests our philosophy of turning the impossible into possible every single day.
How did you get to where you are today? You can talk about your educational route, pivotal moments, unplanned detours, and any other decisions that you find important.
My career path diverges from the conventional trajectory, as I moved to Beijing to pursue opportunities after high school. I have held various frontline positions in hospitality and sales roles, where I gained substantial hands-on, detailed operational experience. My career progressed significantly when I assumed the role of Personal Assistant to a senior executive at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which marked the beginning of my formal professional development. A key decision was taking on an executive leadership role for the China region at Chin-Eaes Corp in 2009, which honed my strategic management skills. Joining WildChina allowed me to synthesize these experiences, initially as a “Business Architect” focused on designing solutions, before growing into the Partner role. 
Beyond my corporate work, co-founding Chi Fan for Charity over 17 years ago has been a crucial part of my journey, grounding my work in social impact. To continue expanding my perspective, I am currently pursuing an MBA at UCL, blending academic rigor with real-world leadership.
Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and give one piece of advice to your teenage self about work and life, what would it be?
I would advise my younger self to trust the value of diverse experiences and deep relationships. Don’t be in a rush to climb a linear ladder. Every role, especially the hands-on ones, teaches you something invaluable. The service philosophy I learned early on became the bedrock of my career. Similarly, the relationships you build—with clients, partners, and your community—are your most valuable asset. They lead to opportunities you can’t foresee and create a network of support that makes the challenging journey not just successful, but also meaningful. The last one is: Be helpful to others in many ways!
Images: Courtesy of MJ
