Zhang is proficient at the piano, was concert master in her middle school's orchestra on violin,[3] and was a ballet dancer before switching to figure skating.

Zhang began her season by winning the silver medal at her regional championship to qualify for the 2003 U.S.

She competed on the 2006–07 ISU Junior Grand Prix and won her first event in Mexico by a record[9] fifty-three points.

[12] Zhang became known for her creative spin positions, musicality and spiral extension, prompting comparisons to Sasha Cohen and Michelle Kwan by those in the figure skating community,[13] including international judge Joe Inman.

Competing on the Junior level, Zhang won the silver medal behind Mirai Nagasu.

Zhang was named to the U.S. team to the 2007 World Junior Championships, where she beat Nagasu to win the title.

[15] Zhang, Nagasu, and Ashley Wagner completed the first ever sweep by the United States of the World Junior ladies podium.

At this competition, she earned a level 4 and a +3 Grade of Execution for her trademark Pearl spin, which is the highest score a skater can receive under Code of Points.

Zhang went on to the 2007 Cup of China, where she received fewer deductions and won the silver medal.

Following the result of 2007 NHK Trophy, she qualified for the Grand Prix Final, where she placed 2nd in the short program and fourth overall.

[18] Zhang was placed on the U.S. team for the 2008 World Junior Championships, where she won the silver medal behind Rachael Flatt.

With Mirai Nagasu taking the bronze, this was the second ever U.S. sweep of the World Juniors ladies podium.

At her first event, the 2008 Skate Canada International, she placed third in the short program with a score of 53.28 after falling on her opening jump combination.

At the 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard, her second Grand Prix assignment, Zhang placed third in the short program with a score of 51.76 after omitting the required double Axel as well as receiving a Level 1 on her spiral sequence.

At the 2009 U.S. Championships, Zhang won the bronze medal, moving up one position from the previous year.

Zhang was assigned to the 2009 Trophée Eric Bompard and to the 2009 Skate Canada International for the 2009–2010 Grand Prix Series.

She placed 4th at the 2009 Trophée Eric Bompard with a score of 153.15 points and eighth at the 2009 Skate Canada where she earned 132.46.

At the 2010 U.S. Championships, Zhang placed 11th in the short program with 49.94 points after having problems with her jump combination and falling in her triple loop.

[27] For the 2010–11 ISU Grand Prix season, Zhang was assigned to the 2010 NHK Trophy and the 2010 Skate America.

She then competed at a senior B event 2011 Ice Challenge where she finish first in the short program with a score of 52.82.

She then went on to compete at the 2012 Four Continents Championships where she placed fourth in the short program with 58.74 after she fell out of her triple loop-triple loop combination.

[34] Zhang was assigned to one 2013–14 ISU Grand Prix at the 2013 Skate America where she finished 10th with an overall score of 110.12 points.

In order to correct congenital hip dysplasia, Zhang underwent periacetabular osteotomy on March 3, 2015, and was able to resume skating in spring 2016.