First Job at McDonald's
At age 14, CZ began his professional journey at McDonald's. While British Columbia's minimum wage stood at CAD 6/hour, special exemption policies allowed McDonald's to pay just CAD 5.5/hour. This initial employment experience marked the beginning of his financial independence while developing essential skills in time management and customer service.
Early Programming Interests
During high school, CZ started exploring programming. Though initially drawn to biology through McGill University's program, he transitioned to computer science after his first semester. This academic shift proved pivotal in shaping his future career trajectory.
Self-Sufficient Education Path
While studying, CZ supported himself through summer jobs and part-time work, successfully avoiding student loan debt. Though receiving limited financial assistance from family during early stages, he quickly achieved complete financial independence through determination and resourcefulness.
Transition to Business Development
Entering his twenties, CZ expanded his professional focus from technical expertise to business development. This cross-disciplinary evolution positioned him to create one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange platforms, demonstrating his adaptive approach to market dynamics and technological innovation.