When you are choosing a major in the future, will you place a higher value on its future career or on its personal interest to you? Zhong Fangrong, a left-behind girl from Hunan province who scored 676 points in total on this year’s college entrance exam, preferred the latter as she applied to study archaeology (考古学) at Peking University.

However, there was a heated debate concerning whether she had made a wise decision. Some netizens argued that she wouldn’t have a promising future unless she chose a more popular major—for instance, finance, engineering, business, etc.—instead of archaeology. What’s more, considering the financial burden on her family, she had better think twice before making her final decision.

The girl later responded that she had been inspired to pursue archeology by Fan Jinshi, president of Dunhuang Academy, and that she had developed a passion for history and cultural relics (遗址). She also added that she cared little about fame and fortune.

Zhong has increased my confidence because of her attitude towards life. Firstly, she knows clearly what she is really interested in and is determined to devote herself to it. Secondly, Zhong has been able to stick to her pursuit despite the criticism from society.

Zhong’s pursuit reminds me of a lady who walks on a country road and lives in poetry—Li Ziqi. They both try their best to be who they want to be, which is rare and admirable nowadays.

Just ask yourself: Do you have the courage not to follow the pattern that the majority of people repeat? Actually, applying for an unpopular major may help you to avoid fierce competition. And the pursuit of a popular major is no guarantee for a brilliant future.

Following the example of Zhong, I will be more willing to follow my dreams in the years to come.

Movie Extras

“Would you mind lying in a coffin? Would you shave your head? Are you willing to take out your false teeth?”

These are just a few of the questions Anne Marie Stewart and her staff sometimes ask the “talent” who serve as non-speaking “extras” in special films, television series, and made-for-TV movies produced in Toronto.

Of course, the majority of extra calls are for more ordinary people, and Stewart has a list of about 650 registered extras. Crowd scenes, which are common, call for everyday people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and sizes.

Over at Movie People, last-minute requests are not unusual. “We got a request once for an entire brass band of 30 people. They wanted it within the hour,” said manager Yvonne McCartney. Another time, the company got a last-minute request for a newborn baby. “We found a baby that was three weeks premature,” said Jonathan Aiken, an owner of the company.

Then there was the worried call from a casting director whose “Star” got doggone stubborn one day and decided to just lie down and not work. The director needed a replacement dog, fast. “We got them two in one hour.” said Aiken. “It was a matter of good connections and fast phone work.” The eight phone lines needed to make 350 to 400 calls a day are one of Movie People’s major expenses.

Phone lines are the only way to stay in touch with casting directors and extras; but the latter are a group not necessarily interested in a long-term relationship. Most extra jobs pay only $7 an hour (with a six-hour minimum), while most agencies charge an annual $75 registration fee and get 10 to 15 per cent of extras’ earnings. It’s no wonder that the turnover rate is fairly high.

Some people who are between jobs do extra work as a temporary measure, said McCartney. But professionals, such as lawyers, also do the work because it’s interesting. Others with flexible jobs have a desire to do something different. Some homemakers want to get out of the house and onto a movie set. Money’s not the motivating reason.

“One of the first things I say to people who walk in and ask about being an extra is, ‘You have to be available,’” said a person at Karen Clifton Agency. Inc. “The next thing I say is, ‘You can't make a living at this.’”

As a child, Danielle Belleny’s love for nature led her to wildlife biology. Growing up, Danielle Belleny was always outdoors, picking up insects and investigating the animal world on her own. She hadn’t yet heard of wildlife biology, but that’s what she was learning about. She wanted to be a vet, a person who can treat sick or injured animals, at first. She said, “I always knew I wanted to work with animals, and as a kid, that was the only job I knew where I could do that.” But when Belleny was in college, her dad advised her to learn wildlife biology instead of veterinary(兽医学).

Later, Belleny started working on research projects. One project involved placing trackers on a bird called the northern bobwhite. For another, she spent time feeding goats, as a way to protect a grass habitat for endangered box turtles without hurting them.

Belleny’s current job at Plateau Land and Wildlife Management lets her split her time between the indoors and outdoors. It also lets her work with people. “In the mornings, I’m usually out the door before sunrise,” she says. She observes birds, keeping track of different species. And she searches for signs of what other animals in the area are doing. Around lunchtime, she’ll return home and write up a report. In the afternoon, she leaves for another site visit. She advises people on how to protect the wildlife that lives on their farm. Her work takes her all around Texas.

Outside of work, young Belleny has been bird-watching for seven years. Her first book This Is a Book for People Who Love Birds was published in May, 2022. Now she’s working on a children’s book about birding, which is scheduled to come out in spring 2024. Belleny has some advice for young people thinking about careers. “Try everything you’re interested in through books and libraries. If you’re into wildlife biology, go to a library and find some field guides. After learning much information, you can do research work more easily”.