Gankhuyag Tsogoo, a Mongolian alumni, said his BYU–Hawaii experience helped him to overcome his self-doubt and insecurity.
Tsogoo graduated in 2012 and majored in operations and supply chain management and marketing. He is married to Tsatsral Enkhtuvshin who is also alumni of BYUH. She graduated in 2012 with her husband and majored in accounting. Currently, Enkhtuvshin works at N.A.R LLC, a member of the Noble Group, as an accountant. They have two sons, Iveel, eight-years-old, and Itgel, three-years-old. Iveel got baptized a month ago on April 20, 2019.
Tsogoo’s parents are both retired. His father was a veterinarian, and his mother was a chemical engineer. He said his parents taught him to work hard for what he wants and help others.
His student job was as a salesman at the Polynesian Cultural Center. He said this experience helped him to understand the importance of creating value for one’s employer and taught him that companies want people who can add value. He emphasized that he has learned a great deal about leadership and management from his student job.
After he completed his degree at BYUH, he worked at the Khas Bank, one of the top banks in Mongolia, as a public and foreign relations manager. Today, he works as a welfare and self-reliance manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Mongolia.
He joined the Church of Jesus Christ in 2004 and served in the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission from 2006-2008. Besides his busy schedule, he is very committed to serving in the Church of Jesus Christ. He has served various callings including a branch mission leader, branch president, a counselor in the bishopric, district president, Sunday School teacher, and as a counselor in the mission presidency. Currently, he serves as the Sansar ward’s bishop of the Ulaanbaatar East Stake in Mongolia. Also, he was one of the five interpreters who translated for the 12th ASEM Summit (Asia Europe Meeting) in 2016. Tsogoo said, at the time, the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was looking for interpreters, and he applied for the position. He did not have any professional training whatsoever, and his only experience as an interpreter was in his mission. Professional interpreters from the European Union came to Mongolia to test the shortlisted candidates.
Fortunately, he passed the test and was selected as one of the five interpreters. The chosen five interpreters went to Brussels, Belgium where they received professional training at the European Commission. The training lasted for five months, and he did a great job interpreting for the ASEM. Tsogoo said, “I am still learning and growing. I have a long way to go.”
Also, he was one of the five interpreters who translated for the 12th ASEM Summit (Asia Europe Meeting) in 2016. Tsogoo said, at the time, the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was looking for interpreters, and he applied for the position. He did not have any professional training whatsoever, and his only experience as an interpreter was in his mission. Professional interpreters from the European Union came to Mongolia to test the shortlisted candidates.
Fortunately, he passed the test and was selected as one of the five interpreters. The chosen five interpreters went to Brussels, Belgium where they received professional training at the European Commission. The training lasted for five months, and he did a great job interpreting for the ASEM. Tsogoo said, “I am still learning and growing. I have a long way to go.”
Recently, he visited BYUH and participated in the Asia Pacific Career Conference (APCC). Tsogoo said he felt that he needs to work harder and do more. He also said he was proud of his friends who were studying together at BYUH, came to APCC to recruit.
He believes that good recreational activities boost one’s effectiveness, so he spends his free time doing various physical and adventurous activities including weightlifting, surfing, hiking, and camping. When he recalled his experience at the BYUH, Tsogoo said, “The wonderful people who work and study at BYU-H taught me what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ.”
According to Tsogoo, the biggest challenge in his life was his self-doubt and insecurity. However, he said his callings in the Church of Jesus Christ, his mission, and his BYUH experience helped him to overcome challenges and see his full potential.
Tsogoo stated that if he looked back now his decision to join the Church of Jesus Christ was one of the most defining moments of his life. This decision brought further opportunities that changed his life. He further explained that serving in a full-time mission and studying at BYU–Hawaii had life-long impacts on his life. Also, he has big dreams and visions in his life. In five years, he is planning to go to a graduate school, and in 10 years, he wants to start his own business. In 20 years, he will be helping others to start and expand their businesses, he said.