Alumnus Terry Tung

Genuine Gold Terry Tung Terry Tung shares his blessings and struggles during his time at BYU–Hawaii and the hardships he faced as a new graduate during the global pandemic

After struggling financially through his time at BYU–Hawaii, Terry Tung, a Winter 2020 social work alumnus from Hong Kong, said he got his first job but was laid off soon after because of COVID-19. Despite his trials and having to chose a job out of his career field, Tung shared the Lord had prepared a way for him and shared his struggles helped build his testimony of paying tithing.

What was your career and educational journey after BYUH?

“After my graduation, I got a job at a company called Capstone Boardgame, a board game retailer that provides board game playgroup services led by social workers to special education students for schools and NGOs. Unfortunately, after only two months, I was laid off due to the bad financial situation the company got in during COVID-19.

“While I was looking for a new job related to my field of study, I came across an elementary school that was hiring a school social worker. I got an interview but wasn’t

BY SERENA DUGAR IOANE

able to get the job. However, the school offered me another job instead as an English teacher.

“I accepted the offer and have been working in this school as an English teacher since. I am planning to further my education and started working on getting a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in the coming year. At the same time, I have also received a calling of a Seminary teacher in my ward. My life is crazy busy now, but I enjoy it a lot.”

What blessings have you seen from attending BYUH?

“One of the greatest blessings I received from studying at BYUH is the many people I have met and the many friends I have made. I struggled as a new English teacher because I do not have teaching experience nor a background in education.

“However, I was able to reach out to my friends who studied elementary and TESOL education at BYUH and are currently working as English teachers for help and suggestions. I was deeply blessed with such great help.”

What advice would you give to current and graduating students at BYUH?

“My advice to current students is don’t give up, and pay your tithing. There is help from heaven. Heavenly Father will bless us in His way according to His time. Ever since I graduated, I have prayed and fasted for help to find a job related to my study that I enjoy. Yet, for almost half a year, I didn’t have any success in starting my career.

“Who knew I would become an English teacher and actually enjoy it even though it’s not related to my field of study? I never imagined myself being a teacher, yet here I am, enjoying my job every day. Heavenly Father knows us and will help us as long as we don’t give up on him.”

How did attending BYUH help build your testimony?

“My younger sister, who studies at BYUI, and I both attended college at the same time. So, it has been very challenging for my family financially. I wasn’t part of the IWORK

Terry Tung poses for a photo at graduation in December 2019 with his parents. He finished in April 2020 in social work but didn’t find a job in Hong Kong in his field. He said he is teaching English at a school. Photos provided by Terry Tung

program despite having applied many times. During my study, my father lost his job, which made the financial challenge even more difficult for my family.

“Since I had a part-time job during my study, I paid for my own rent, and I would need to pay for as much of my tuition with what was left. Throughout my study, I struggled financially a lot, but I never stopped paying my tithing. I have seen the blessings from paying tithing. Although it was not easy, my family and I found a way to pay off all the expenses. This is my testimony. Always pay your tithing, and you will be helped from above.”

What did you learn at BYUH that you have taken with you after graduating?

“One big lesson I learned during my time studying at BYUH and working at PCC is everyone is fighting their own battle we might not understand. While I was taking a full load of classes, I was also working as a supervisor at PCC. My classes were difficult, and I used to think I struggled more than most students.

“However, through working with my co-workers, who are also BYUH students, I quickly learned we were all having struggles. The only difference was some of us hide it better than others. I learned to be more empathic. This lesson has helped me be a better social worker as well as a better teacher.”

What did you learn from your working experience at BYUH?

“During my time working as a supervisor at PCC, there was one week during the Fall 2019 Semester PCC had a group of 5,000 guests coming to visit. I was tasked with and in charge of putting together a team for preparing and serving dessert during lunch to those guests. My whole team was student-workers like me, and we had to run straight to work right after our classes.

“It was a long week, and the thought of just not showing up for work or calling-in sick had come up many times, but I didn’t. My team and I accomplished this task and served over 5,000 desserts in a week. I learned the importance of being responsible and being an example to my fellow workers. Under my leadership, as well as help from other managers and departments, we made the impossible possible.”

What did you learn from your working experience in Hong Kong?

“After my graduation, I came back to Hong Kong and quickly stumbled on the question of what’s my role in society. Even though my education gave me a clear direction of being a social worker, I kept running into difficulty getting a social worker job. I had faith Heavenly Father would watch over me and help me find a job that best fits me.”

What are your future goals?

“My future goal is to further my education and get a teaching license in Hong Kong. It doesn’t hurt to have more than one profession. I have faith Heavenly Father will guide me and help me along the way.”