By Joseph Sun

Summer after 9th and 10th grade, I interned at 2 different biotech labs: one in the US, and one in China. I thought I would expect technical similarities. After all, science is universal, right? It's not like the pipettes, centrifuges, and research papers that I'll use are any different. However, I was shocked: the labs had drastic differences.

In America, research felt like a collaboration of ideas. In China, it felt like a factory machine of discipline and hard work. Both were extraordinary in their own ways, and both taught me lessons that I'll carry forward as I move on in life.

Work Culture

At my biotech internship in California, the atmosphere was lax and easygoing. Me and my fellow colleagues often had riveting conversations as we pipetted material, oftentimes sharing music and laughter. Moreover, there wasn't much emphasis on attendance. Whether you were clocking in at 9AM or 1PM, it didn't matter, as no one was taking attendance. Creativity and independence were valued, and people seemed to just be enjoying the process. 

By contrast, my internship in Shenzhen felt like a whole different world. Scientists arrived early in the morning, sharp at 9AM. The work was relentless and nonstop, with scientists having to juggle multiple projects at once. The labs were mostly silent, except for the hum of the equipment and the occasional experimental discussion. Everyone worked six days a week, and I often saw my colleagues still in the lab at 10PM some days. Overall, it was less about freedom, and more about focus: precision, hierarchy, and speed drove everything.

Why is this the case?

This made me wonder: why are the scientists in China seemingly under so much more pressure than the ones in America? They aren't laughing and listening to music in the lab, nor are they clocking in at 1PM. Instead, they are razor-focused, with their eyes set on only one thing: the results.

So I did some research, and the answer was pretty simple. 

In China, the job market for scientists is incredibly competitive. Each year, thousands of students graduate with advanced degrees in biology, chemistry, and medicine, but there are far fewer positions available than applicants. Unlike in the US, where biotech startups and universities offer a variety of opportunities, many Chinese researchers compete for limited roles at state/corporate labs. The result of this scarcity is a work culture that is intense, brutal, and stressful. It's not unusual for researchers to work six-day weeks, often stretching past 10 p.m. In fact, the phrase "996 culture" (working 9AM to 9PM, 6 days a week) has become a badge of honor in many Chinese industries, including biotech. 

And it's not just biotech. In fact, pretty much every industry in China has a simliar work culture. Whether it's in computer science, AI, engineering, law, etc, almost every business in China encompasses long hours, hard work, and short breaks. My cousin, who interned at a law firm, reported a similar experience of having to work grueling, long hours that were packed with tasks and assignments.

Over time, this culture has become deeply normalized in China, and especially in their labs. Dedication is measured by hours spent, not just results achieved. While this can lead to burnout, it also leads these scientists to develop an incredible work ethic. They are trained to multitask, manage experiments with clockwork precision, and to think of research less as an exploration and more as a craft. 

Comparing that to the U.S. made me realize how deeply culture shapes scientific progress. In America, freedom and flexibility drive innovation, and creativity is encouraged. Meanwhile, in China, discipline and work ethic drive productivity. Neither approach is "better", but I've come to realize that research is at its best when creativity meets consistency. The ideal researcher is one who integrates the curiosity/creativity of an artist with the discipline of an engineer.