BYU–Hawaii graduating seniors share how their student jobs, with their unique roles and responsibilities, have shaped their futures amidst challenges
Fall 2024 graduates Krystal Ava, Elizabeth Ameto and Carlo Barredo shared their campus jobs prepared them for future careers while highlighting the rewards and challenges of balancing work, studies and personal growth. Their roles, academic support, spanning cultural preservation and housing management, they said, offered them a sense of community, cultural insights and hands-on experience.
Balancing motherhood and academics
Ava, a senior from Makakilo majoring in Pacific Island Studies, said she is a teaching assistant at the Jonathan Napela Center for Hawaiian Studies. “My main responsibility is to support students’ success,” she explained, “through correcting assignments, clarifying expectations and giving constructive feedback.” She said she enjoys offering positive encouragement and praising achievements while guiding students for future assignments.
Having returned to Laie, Hawaii, after spending seven years in Lehi, Utah, Ava described the strain of wanting to excel in her studies while being an active mother to her five sons. “I have felt the pressure of wanting to do extremely well in all of my classes. This can be challenging when you have five sons and want to be active in their lives,” she explained. Yet, she expressed gratitude for the support she has received from her professors in Pacific Studies who “truly care and want to help,” making her educational journey “truly life- changing.”
Working as a teaching assistant for two professors, Ava explained, has been instrumental in honing her skills. “My job has become a place for learning and growth,” she said. She said she learned, “Confidence cannot be taught, but it can be attained when an opportunity to level up is given to us as college students.”
Grading student papers has also provided her with diverse perspectives, pushing her to reflect on her own path. “It’s amazing how each assignment offers an unique perspective,” Ava said. “This experience has ultimately strengthened my desire to not just meet deadlines but to be intentional about learning from others,” she added.
Ava noted reading students’ essays often brings her to tears. “My heart was touched by the sacrifices many parents have made to give their children the opportunity to study here at BYUH,” she said. She shared a personal connection to this experience, recalling her father’s encouragement before his passing. “He told me, ‘ You can do it, Krystal. Don’t give up,’” she said, emphasizing how his words will stay with her as she graduates in December.
Ava recalled a challenging night with four assignments due, five papers to grade, and a new church calling, all while needing to help her family. She stayed awake for over 24 hours, finishing her tasks before realizing it was morning, she continued. “I had to wake my son for Seminary, get the kids ready for school and attend my 9 a.m. class,” she shared. Despite the exhaustion, she said she felt accomplished and determined.
Preserving one’s heritage
Ameto, a senior history major from Samoa and demonstrator guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Samoa Village, said her role includes answering questions, giving directions and ensuring visitor safety. She said she also shares Samoan customs, traditions, language and history, focusing on items in the chiefs’ hut, the Maota Tofā.
Besides giving lectures, Ameto said she teaches visitors traditional crafts like weaving a fish, or I’a, with coconut leaves and performing the coconut shell dance. She said she entertains her guests by dancing in the pre-show, the fire knife dance.
Through demonstrations, storytelling, and hands-on activities, she said she strives to keep the fa’avae, or the foundation of Samoan culture strong and alive.“E sui faiga ae tumau fa’avae,” she said, a Samoan phrase meaning, “The ways may change, but the foundation remains.”
For Ameto, working at the Samoan Village is “a bridge between generations, sharing and preserving Samoan heritage for future generations while educating others.” Ameto expressed her goal as helping “create understanding and respect for Samoan traditions, helping visitors connect with the values, stories and practices that define Samoan culture.”
Ameto said camaraderie with colleagues and supportive supervisors makes her workplace a home away from home. “Our lunch breaks are always fun because we eat together, share stories and check in on each other,” she said, adding her supervisors’ humor lifts their spirits, even on tough days. This support brings comfort and belonging, especially during meetings with encouraging words for the college student team, Ameto added.
Ameto described her work as a foundation for future opportunities in education, tourism, cultural preservation or advocacy for indigenous rights. “By deeply engaging with Samoan traditions and values, I am building a rich foundation in cultural knowledge that can support future work,” she said.
She explained daily interactions with visitors from diverse backgrounds help her develop essential skills such as “communication, public speaking and interpersonal skills, which are highly valued in many professional settings.”
In coping with the challenges experienced, Ameto said, “I would always abide and stay grounded in Samoan values like fa’aaloalo, or respect, onosa’i, or patience and alofa, or love, which always have and will help me approach each day with patience and purpose.” She concluded, “Remembering the importance of these values has helped me handle misunderstandings and ensure I am representing my culture with pride and authenticity.”
“Visitors may sometimes bring misconceptions or stereotypes, and addressing these sensitively while educating them can require patience and skill,” Ameto said. She said another challenge is engaging visitors with varying levels of interest or understanding of Samoan culture. “Finding the right balance between being informative and entertaining can be tough, especially when explaining complex cultural practices or values,” she said.
Better time management
Barredo, a senior from the Philippines majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said he works as a housing superintendent for B YUH Housing Operations. He is involved in detailed property checks, cleaning inspections and managing check-ins and check-outs in T VA, he said. “Each apartment is safe, livable and meets our maintained standards,” he said.
Barredo said his internship with the department sparked a passion for property management. “I aspire to positively impact the student experience by providing well- maintained and inviting living spaces,” he added.
He recalled a memorable experience when he encountered a group of students decorating their apartment for a cultural event during a property check. “They warmly invited me to join them, sharing their excitement and creativity,” he said, noting the interaction gave him a unique glimpse into how students make their spaces personal havens.
A primary challenge, Barredo shared, is managing time effectively during peak periods like the beginning and end of semesters. “Balancing the need to maintain high standards while adhering to tight deadlines can be demanding,” said Barredo.
To address this challenge, he said, “I focus on critical tasks first and break down larger projects into smaller, manageable steps.” Time management tools like reminders and calendars on his phone was helpful, he added. “I use the ‘Do Not Disturb” feature to avoid distractions and multitasking.” He also noted the effectiveness of setting realistic deadlines and creating checklists to stay organized and on track. With these strategies, “I have significantly improved my efficiency and allowed myself to manage increased workloads effectively,” he said.
Barredo said his long-term goal is to own rental property, and his role is helping him hone skills in property management, attention to detail and customer service. He shared how he has improved on learning the importance of upholding high standards for safety and livability, which he sees as essential for effective facility management.