Former Huawei researcher leaves high-paying job to sell corn in rural China

Ning Boyu, a former participant in Huawei’s ‘Young Genius’ program, has gained social media attention in China after resigning from the technology giant to return to his hometown in Hunan province to sell corn.

A PhD graduate from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Ning previously earned a high salary, reportedly around $140,000 USD per year. Despite his academic achievements—including 21 international publications and research stints at Oxford University—he decided to leave the corporate sector after approximately three years due to high psychological pressure and a desire to focus on deep scientific research.

Currently, Ning is assisting his family with agricultural sales, noting that daily profits can be as low as 10 NDT. He views this period as a transition and a new life experience. Following this time of rest, he plans to pursue postdoctoral research in Sweden.