Sang Tian enjoys travelling. She is pictured on holiday in Nepal this year.

Sang Tian is only 34 but, as materials handling division 1 manager at E-P Equipment Co Ltd, she manages one of the China-based electric pallet truck manufacturer's sales teams.

It is Sang's only job since she graduated with a chemistry degree from a Chinese industrial and technical university about 12 years ago, and she has been diligently learning about the industry and loving it.

"I got this job by chance after graduating. I started as a sales co-ordinator. I'm used to working in the industry now. I feel it's a part of my life and it has been positive going for the past decade."

Her duties include maintaining business with existing customers, organising marketing in new areas and training new salespeople.

Besides enjoying being a part of the sales team, Sang loves the "ongoing education" in her job.

"There's always something happening that I can never plan for, always something new for me to learn," she said.

There are equal numbers of men and women in Sang's team. She said she had not noticed any sexual discrimination in her company.
"It depends how hungry you are for the job.
"E-P is always open to welcoming people from different backgrounds. That makes us united as a team and always willing to learn from our colleagues."

Sang did not think the materials handling industry in China was male dominated.

"Women can have most jobs in the industry, especially today when most work can be assisted by new technology and machinery."

She admitted women may find it challenging to balance a job and a family, as women tended to focus on the family. Sang is married with a six-year-old son.

"My life is not 100 per cent controlled by my work. I make a conscious effort to balance work with my personal life.

"It's not easy to keep that balance. I work hard during the week and sometimes late at night but I try not to bring work home with me. The adults in my family understand my job and, fortunately, I have a sweet little boy who understands too."

Sang enjoys reading about "famous brand manufacturers" in www.Forkliftaction.com's weekly newsletter as it keeps her informed on how the industry is going.