BYU–Hawaii alumnus and the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar West Stake President Tserennyam Sukhbaatar advised students to find mentors and learn from them. He said he wants to “help others to raise their bars and change the world to be a better place.”
When did you attend BYUH and what did you study?
“I attended from 2010 to 2012 and majored in marketing and supply chain and got an entrepreneurship certificate.”
What was your career and educational journey after BYUH?
“Right after my graduation, I became a head of the marketing department of the BSB Service LLC, which was the largest retailer of consumer electronics in Mongolia. A month before my graduation, I signed my contract with them online.
“In 2016, I was accepted as an MBA student at the Woodbury School of Business, Utah Valley University and moved to Utah with my family. After my MBA, I was working as a marketing director for K-Designers, Salt Lake City, Utah.
“While working there, I got a job offer from a Caterpillar dealer in Mongolia. So, I moved back to Ulaanbaatar and started my career as the director of analytics and innovation, Wagner Asia Equipment LLC. I have been working here since February 2018 and doing all kinds of marketing and market research activities.”
What special memories do you have from your student years?
“One day, I was walking through the McKay hallway. I saw a student and was shocked. We were both shocked and excited. That student was my investigator when I was a full-time missionary in Seoul, Korea. My companion and I had taught all the lessons and baptized him.
“He became less active when I left Korea. It was so sad at that time. I almost cried when I saw him at BYUH. I was doing my best to hold my tears. We laughed and hugged. That was so beautiful.
“I found out that he felt the Spirit when he met his brothers after his mission. After I had left Korea, this Korean brother became active and came to BYUH to pursue higher education.
“He was not able to speak English when we had first met in Korea. We both had graduated in the same year, 2012. He had returned to Korea after his graduation.”
What advice would you give to current and graduating students at BYUH?
“Find your mentor and stick with him or her while you are in BYUH. Brother Mike Sudlow, who was in the Admissions office, was my mentor. He was about 70 years old.
“I met him regularly and asked for his advice for my business plan and career. He reviewed my proposals so many times and spent hours with me. I got excited and energized every time after meeting him. After my graduation, we became business partners. I always thank him. He is an awesome man with great wisdom!”
What blessings have you seen from attending BYUH?
“BYUH opened my eyes. I felt like I was in Asia when I had first landed in Hawaii. It was very different from mainland U.S.A.; Japanese magazines on the street, Japanese speaking salesmen, Asians and Polynesians were everywhere. Everybody was so calm and relaxing.
“Asian and Polynesian students grow here spiritually, intellectually, physically and financially. Students can see their blessings when they return to their homes. They can easily compare their before and after school life. [It is] a huge difference.
“I saw professors serving in the temple when I was serving in the Laie Hawaii Temple as a temple guardian. That was such a great blessing to see them there. The BYUH faculty was awesome. Learning from these Christ-like people was a wonderful blessing to me. They are my friends, mentors and guiding stars.”
What were some of your life-defining moments?
“I found my passion. One day, I took the MBTI test at the BYUH Career Services. The test result was ENFJ, and I was so excited. I jumped high and ran away to my home. I had felt that this was the one I was looking for.
“A year later, I had retaken the test to confirm. It confirmed so many things to me and inspired me to write my business plan. During my studies, I studied psychology and MBTI on my own. I had met professors who knew everything about this psychological method and took their advice. I read about all the necessary books and articles to find out more.
“It was a way I was finding my passion and myself. Eventually, I found it. It was all about what that test had suggested. I love marketing and things related to marketing. Later on, I won second place in the Empower Your Dreams Competition with my business plan.”
What did you learn at BYUH that you have taken with you?
“Besides education, I would say the English language, confidence, integrity and an alumni network.”
How did attending BYUH help build your testimony?
“Other students, professors and employees’ examples helped me to build my testimony stronger. I saw them in service. I saw them in the temple. I saw them in the church callings. I saw them at their work and school. They were great. Their attitude, actions and examples taught me so many things.”
What are some challenges in your life?
“When I was studying, I was always so busy and broke because I did double majors just within two years while building my family. So, I didn’t enjoy Hawaii as much as I wanted. Now, I realize that those challenges were blessings to me and my family. Heavenly Father had a different plan. I still want to go back to Hawaii sometime again and do the things I had missed.
“Now, I’m married with four children. Some people may say raising children could be challenging. However, I would say it is fun. It is such a joyful thing. Now, I would like to contribute as much as possible to my community, Church service and the next generation.”
What did you learn from your working experience at BYUH?
“The PCC and BYUH gave me great work experiences. Managers, supervisors and employees’ attitudes were different from other places. They were very kind and nice. Their leadership skills were awesome, very fun and spiritual. It was so different from the rest of the world.
“A different cultural environment with different nationalities gave me a whole new insight to see people and life. Later on, it helped me to figure out some communication issues in business and my life.”
What did you learn from your working experience in Mongolia?
“I was able to work with many different world-known brands, such as Apple, Dell, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Toshiba, Electrolux, Caterpillar and so on. All these top brands and company managements were different. People were different, their attitudes were different and their goals were different.
“So, I was able to learn about how they managed their supply chain, marketing activities, branding, and negotiating their prices and deals. Also, soft skills would be very helpful when you work in a multicultural environment.”
What are your future goals?
“I always wanted to be the best in the field of marketing, still working on it. Keep learning, researching and practicing it. I may study for a Ph.D. but haven’t decided yet. I want to help others to raise their bars and change the world to be a better place.”
What is your hobby?
“When I have leisure time, I like to play soccer and write poems.”
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