Lyu Xinmin, a 29-year-old female strategic planner, spends her break time scrolling through her phone — not for leisure but to review resumes and answer career-related questions from strangers. All unpaid. All for women.

Three months ago, she posted a simple offer on Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, to offer free help for women navigating job hunting and career progression.

"At first, I never expected this small initiative to make such a difference," Lyu admitted. "I just wanted to use my experience to bridge the information gaps for women as lost as I once was."

She provides online guidance in her expertise, offering resume reviews, interview strategies and career planning advice. Participants present their backgrounds and questions and she prioritizes those facing urgent career transitions.

"I had planned to help one or two participants each week, but the demand was overwhelming," Lyu said. "I found myself answering questions whenever I had a spare moment."

Her efforts paid off. Many participants have secured jobs or envisioned their career paths under her suggestions. "It brings me a deep sense of fulfillment and I genuinely enjoy doing this," she said.

As demand grew, so did the network.

Today, what started as a single act of kindness has expanded into 13 mutual support groups, covering topics such as job applications, workplace development, entrepreneurship and studying abroad. Lyu and other volunteers also organize roundtable meetings and group discussions to address common challenges.

Lyu opened the door to voluntary assistance for women, and more followed. A wave of mentors joined, sharing their expertise from various fields and voluntarily offering insights to help others navigate their paths.

One of them is Chen Yue, a 25-year-old front-end developer who transitioned from electrical engineering to coding. She now works in the tech industry, where women are still underrepresented.

"Women make up barely 10 percent of my development team," Chen shared. "When it comes to leadership, the numbers are even worse."

When she learned about the aid initiative, she immediately joined to contribute.

"I have offered free guidance to dozens of women — some already in the tech industry, others hoping to enter it. Many are unsure about their career direction," Chen explained. "I often share my experiences and help them make informed decisions."

One case left a deep impression on her. A young woman with anxiety disorders dreamed of becoming a software developer, believing coding would allow her to work in isolation.

"That's a misunderstanding," Chen explained. "Software development requires teamwork and communication. I helped her explore career paths that suited her strengths."

Chen explained the reality — that the occupations require much teamwork and communication. She helped her find a more suitable tech-related career path.

She hopes more women will enter the tech industry, find empowerment from it and contribute to its progress. "Women belong in this field, and I'm ready to reach out and make an impact," she said.

Guo Yanqi contributed to this story.