What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?

Implementing the first membership system of Uber that increased revenue by 50%. My career had been non-linear. Majoring in business, I realized I wanted to be in STEM by conducting economic research, in data, and landed in CS. It took me years and hundreds of failures transitioning into STEM.

What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why?

I want to serve marginalized groups by breaking their barriers to accessing technologies. Since 2018, I have been training post-release inmates on their technical skills. I developed Information Bootcamp for 20+ post-release inmates and helped 10+ secured jobs in information field.

Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.

I proposed Uber for a senior software product and developed it from 0 to 1. It is now benefiting 500k+ seniors in China that previously lacked mobility in the modern transportation system.

How was AWIS helped you professionally and/or personally?

AWIS helped me to learn and recognize the infinite possibilities of life–I knew a woman in her 40s who transitioned from Chemistry to Patent Law. I was so amazed that she not only completed both PhD and JD, but also nailed both the Chemistry and Patent Law field.

What is your favorite word? (only one word)

Strive

How do you define it?

Strive to me means endless opportunities in achieving and thriving.

How has this word influenced or inspired your career?

It encourages me to think and aim at long-term achievements, instead of being trapped in short-term failures.

How does AWIS impact your career journey?

AWIS means inspiration to me. Learning from other women in STEM has empowered me to explore my longer career path. AWIS encouraged me to believe in my potential in my current software field, and strive maintain my interests in cognitive science field.

What are you currently reading or listening to?

I’m reading Mindwise by Nicholas Epley now.

What do you consider the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?

The world is built as a net. Each string of the net is a connection you have in the world. The more connections you have, the more strings there are that lift you up in the world.

Yuning Ye is a graduate student at University of Michigan, School of Information, focusing on Human-Computer Interaction. As the sole undergrad product manager return offerree at Uber China (DiDi) ride-hailing sector, she owns the roadmap for DiDi Premier product line. She co-founded DiDi driving school service from 0 to 1. In AWIS, she want to help more women access STEM fields and also inspire others to dream big through her own STEM transition.