The landscape outside the window
A quiet dawn, a light travels along the edge of the sky. In the environmental test laboratory of CIOMP, an aerospace payload is undergoing a vacuum environment simulation test. A vacuum pump has been roaring endlessly for weeks. And a number of digital readings are showing in the panel of the monitoring instrument. Sometimes the numbers seemed in a daze, and sometimes they blink and jump a little bit then go back to their previous value. I was on duty for the test and by then have been awake for almost 24 hours. Feeling a little drowsy, I walk to the wash room hoping that washing my face with cold water would keep me alert.
It is Christmas Day. I stand before the window and look into the distance. A lonely spotlight on a building far away emits its light toward the sky. Snowflakes jump and dance from trees to the earth. The landscape is so familiar that I find myself stuck in my memory. So I allow my mind to wander back to the past.
20 years ago, I was just a high school student. In order to prepare for the college entrance examination, my life consisted nothing except studying, eating and sleeping. It was barren and boring. During each break, I would stand in front of the window in the classroom and look outside. The landscape outside the window seemed fascinating, especially at the night after dark. The financial street in the distance shone with bright lights, exuding charm and fun. For me, it was like a brightly lit island in the middle of a dark ocean. In the center of the “island”, a pair of skyscrapers boldly piercing the dark sky, telling the story of the city's past glory. I loved looking at this landscape quietly, imagining what kind of stories would happen there, wishing I could be a part of those stories. Everyone I knew was eager to move to the first-tier cities, where we thought we would find fame and fortune. Yet, what I didn't know back then was that instead of going to a first-tier city to study as I had wished, I came to another northern city called Changchun, completed my studies, and then settled there.
10 years ago, I was busy collecting data in the laboratory and completing my doctoral thesis. By then, I was no longer obsessed with the prosperity of first-tier cities, a platform to display my abilities was more important. I had already received an offer from an institute called CIOMP, which is quite famous in this city. I was eager to make great achievements. The setting sun outside the window of the laboratory spilled into the room like melted gold, gently touching everything in the room. I gazed through the window. Under the illumination of the sunset, the birds were racing across the skyline, just like my ambition, eager to soar.
Thinking about my experiences and growth over the years, I was feeling a bit emotional. I had left my hometown for nearly 20 years, had been with CIOMP for 10 years, engaged in aerospace engineering. I am no longer that silly boy who indulged in daydreams, nor the bookish youth who was obsessed with his experiments in the ivory tower. I have become a well-regulated scientific researcher. The landscape outside the window has been changing all the time for years, but what has changed for me on the other side of the window?
Self-cultivation
My career progress has come with continuous self-cultivation. The culture of CIOMP is very different from those of universities. Unlike the emphasis on inspiration and creativity in scientific research in universities, the culture of CIOMP is based on engineering missions and pays more attention to work norms, teamwork, and a rigorous and serious attitude. Of course, hard work is always the key to success anywhere. With the boom of the Aerospace Industry in China, Aerospace R&D Teams at CIOMP are busier than ever. Missions come one after the other, and our workload grows more and more. The Chang’e Mission, Tiangong Mission, and Fengyun Mission, behind each mission name, there are countless aerospace workers like me. Demonstration, design, production, testing, calibration, and acceptance, every step of work is handled seriously. In these processes, everyone has put in countless sweats and efforts.
Especially able to endure hardship, especially able to fight, especially able to dedicate. That is the spirit of Aerospace China, and also a precious tradition of aerospace workers. We all know what these words mean. Over the years, some of my colleagues left the industry. I understand that everyone has the right to pursue the life they want. But I choose to stay, not only because I enjoy the joy of mission success, but also because I believe this career is worth holding. Ten years of work experience may just be the beginning. And I think I'll continue to do this work and be self-improve continuously in this work.
Flow
My career with CIOMP started with basic technological positions. I have done a lot of jobs, including digital electrical designer, analog electrical design, software programming, and instrument testing, etc. I enjoy these jobs and am comfortable with them.
Some people say that after years of experience, I have become a qualified screw. I personally take it as a compliment. A machine like CIOMP needs countless strong screws to maintain stability. But I would much rather be a solid bearing -- a bearing with huge load capacity but with ease in work.
The roaring of the vacuum pump drags my thought back to reality. I check the digital reading on the panels again and fill out the recording form. Life is quiet and calm. Though our lifespan may be short; we can achieve a great deal if we spend it wisely. This is the story between me and the CIOMP. Maybe it is not worth mentioning but I think time will memorize it. 
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