When Buyan-Ochir (Buyka) Khandsuren first walked into the Asia-Pacific Career Conference (APCC) at BYU–Hawaii, he never imagined it would lead to an internship with Coca-Cola in Mongolia.
Growing Up in Mongolia
Khandsuren was born in Incheon, South Korea, but grew up in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Reflecting on his upbringing, he credits his mother for always encouraging him. As the only child in a single-parent household, Khandsuren gets his drive from his mother, who worked countless jobs while attending college.
"She never had the chance to complete a bachelor's degree, yet she showed me every day what resilience and determination look like," shares Khandsuren. "Growing up, I sometimes felt we had little, but I always knew we had her example—and that was enough to push me forward."
Those lessons, Khandsuren believes, shaped him and would eventually push him onward into a great student and leader, preparing him for his internship opportunity.
Networking at APCC
During this year's APCC, Khandsuren had the unexpected opportunity to meet one of the human resources representatives from Coca-Cola. Khandsuren served as her translator, which opened the door for networking. He gave her his resume and a business card, an idea he got from Professor PJ Rogers' business class.
"Brother Rogers taught us to create a business card to hand out when networking because it creates professionalism and helps us stand out, so I made around 300 and was super eager to give out one with a resume," he shares.
Weeks had passed, and Khandsuren wondered if his application had been overlooked. Fortunately for him, Coca-Cola reached out at the beginning of June. They had paid close attention to his resume and were eager to interview him. Out of all the applications received by Coca-Cola, Khandsuren stood out as the best.
"Looking back, I believe my preparation—using the resources available at Career Services, creating professional business cards, and tailoring my resume made the difference," he says.
Internship in Mongolia
Khandsuren became the first student from Mongolia studying in the United States to be selected for an internship with Coca-Cola. As part of his internship, he was assigned to the procurement and logistics department as a procurement officer intern. His responsibilities comprised financial analysis, sales, and production forecasting, and later expanded to direct communication with international suppliers in China, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
"I handled purchase orders, quotations, invoices, and even drafted contracts. Working on real procurement processes at such a large corporate level was eye-opening. Our team had 12 members, and every day was different," he shares.
Khandsuren mentioned how surprisingly flexible the hours were, and every day began with checking emails, contacting suppliers, and preparing documents. Out of all his responsibilities, he favored the purchasing process, coordinating with suppliers, gathering quotations, and finalizing contracts as his best experience.
Lessons in Preparation and Work Ethic
Khandsuren recalls that early in his internship, he was assigned a task that usually takes 10 days to complete; he did it in six hours. His supervisors were so impressed with the quick turnaround, and Khandsuren credits his efficiency to the skills he learned at BYU–Hawaii.
"Business 461 with Professor Jacob Bramwell taught me advanced Excel and Six Sigma principles, which helped me analyze data quickly and effectively," shares Khandsuren. "An Excel spreadsheet is a valuable skill in the business world, and I am grateful that we have professors on campus helping us prepare."
Meeting the extraordinary demands of a global organization and a brand like Coca-Cola can be challenging. However, Khandsuren believes that having a good work ethic will help anyone survive in such an environment.
"My strong work ethic is something my mother instilled in me, it is more than just about showing up, it’s also about showing up on time and giving your best efforts, those little details can set you up for good," Khandsuren shares, "At BYU–Hawaii, I pushed myself to take heavy credit loads, often over 18 credits per semester, while also working part-time that can be a lot for most students here but I feel if I am not pushing myself then I am not working hard enough.”
Steppingstones to the Future
Khandsuren believes working with Coca-Cola has taught him that global companies often value attitude as much as education or experience. Knowing that hard work and preparedness have led him to such an opportunity, he feels a sense of accomplishment. Khandsuren's internship experience was not just a professional milestone but a stepping stone for future career goals.
One quote his mother often told him is, "No one can steal your education." This truth has motivated Khandsuren to constantly push himself academically and professionally.
"I am grateful to have experienced working for Coca-Cola in Mongolia, and I believe this is just the beginning," he shares. "I am determined to continue setting goals, achieving them step by step, as I build towards a future my mother has always envisioned for me.”
