Introduction
I’m Haimeng Zhou, a Director of Engineering at Teladoc Health, where I’ve spent more than a decade as a software engineer in the U.S. healthcare industry.
How Did You Start Writing?
I started blogging in 2019 for three main reasons. First, I wanted a way to document the interesting stories and “Aha!” moments from my daily work. It serves as a personal log where I can reflect on my past journey. Second, the act of writing helps shape my ideas. It forces me to clarify what I’ve done well and what I need to improve upon.
Lastly, I want to share my experiences with others, and I hope my writing provides value to the reader.
How Has Technology Impacted The Way You Write?
Technology, especially AI, has fundamentally changed my writing process. When I first started using it last year, my use was limited to basic grammar and spelling checks.
As I got more comfortable, I learned how to use AI as more of a collaborative partner than a simple proofreader. For example, I might ask it to provide facts to support my points or to suggest alternative phrasings.
The process of writing and talking with AI consistently sharpens my key arguments; blogging allows me to recap my work, while interacting with the AI amplifies that reflection.
In essence, this process ensures that AI serves only as a powerful assistant, while I remain the architect, editor, and final author of every piece.
Share About Your Journey Highlights?
The emergence of AI has made my blogging journey more interesting. First, I often have long conversations with AI to shape my blogging ideas—a true journey of learning from AI. Second, as someone who prefers heavy illustrations and light wording in my articles, the rise of AI image generation technology has opened up significant opportunities.
What’s Your Creative Process?
My creative process is straightforward: I write about what I live. My articles on engineering leadership and growth mindset are distillations of my daily work. I enjoy the mental exercise of recapping events, and blogging provides the perfect opportunity to structure those reflections. It all stems from a simple principle: hard work is important, but pausing to recap is paramount.
Your Favorite Memory/Article(s) to This Day?
In 2022, as I transitioned from a senior developer to a manager, I was simultaneously working on several intensive projects and building up my team management and leadership skillset. I pushed myself intensely toward that goal, but without proper methods or a solid foundation. The consequence was burnout: I became sick and could no longer sprint.
This pivotal experience sparked my interest in reading and writing articles about finding balance in our lives. My focus expanded beyond just work-life balance to include cultivating a steady mental state—a crucial foundation for sustainable growth.
Such as this blog – Here’s How to Escape the Hectic Assembly Line
How Did You Hear About HackerNoon? Share With Us About Your Experience With HackerNoon.
I started noticing HackerNoon in 2019. In the same year, I submitted my first article, and at the beginning, I wasn’t sure if it would be approved. I was quite happy when my post was published, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.
While I have also published my blogs on Medium, I consistently gain more readers from HackerNoon, a testament to its engaged community and reach within the tech space.
What Have You Learnt From Your Journey?
Despite my busy schedule, two core reasons compel me to continue this path: the first is the immense joy it brings, leaving me feeling fulfilled; and the second is the desire to build my portfolio and effectively reach more people. Both goals are being met on my journey..
Final Thoughts
I anticipate my future blogging journey with the words: Insist, Enjoy, Sublime.
My LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/haimengzhou/
Check out Haimeng’s HackerNoon profile here, and read more of his amazing stories!
HackerNoon Writers Spotlight is a special, exclusive interview series where HackerNoon’s Top Writers share about their writing journey on the net in this ever-evolving digital world.
