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Q&A: Tran Values UT Tyler’s Caring Community

Timothy Tran of Houston graduated in spring 2020 and currently works at Harbor Freight Tools’ corporate office as an associate product category manager. Learn more about the alumnus and why he enjoyed his time at UT Tyler.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I grew up in a family of six with three other siblings. I am originally from Houston, and I moved to Tyler for my undergraduate studies. I graduated from UT Tyler with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and a minor in computer science. I actually switched degree plans several times, so I’m proof to show that there’s nothing wrong with switching career paths.

Describe your educational journey … How did you discover UT Tyler?

I initially discovered UT Tyler through the UT System website. I ultimately selected UT Tyler because of the professor-to-student ratio, location and courses offered.

I received plenty of financial aid from UT Tyler, and that definitely was monumental in my success. As of recent, UT Tyler has been doing a great job in providing resources to students in need during the pandemic, and I benefited directly from those programs. A special shout out goes to Dana Simmons, who served as the coordinator of the money management department during my sophomore year. She helped many students, including me, with financial advice. Dana currently works in the Center for Student Financial Wellness and is definitely a resource that students should be aware of.

What do you like about the Soules College of Business?

My favorite part about the Soules College of Business was most definitely the marketing department. Not only are the faculty all amazing teachers, but they also have a great working relationship with each other, and I believe that’s a huge reason for their success as a cohesive unit.

Who was your favorite professor, and why?

I couldn’t say I had a favorite professor, simply because they were all so wonderful, but I’d like to mention several:

Dr. Krist Swimberghe – A great professor who will go above and beyond for any student that asks for help. If you are a student in the marketing department, you definitely need to get to know him. An amazing professor and an even better friend.

Dr. Kyung-Ah Byun – Students who have taken Dr. Kay's Marketing Research and Consumer Insights courses know that she is a tough professor but a great asset with a kind heart. She's the one who initially suggested to me to pursue my specific career as a data analyst, and I owe my career to her.

Dr. JungHwa (Jenny) Hong ­– I took her consumer behavior course, and she was an amazing teacher. She is funny, intellectual and kind.

Dr. Kerri Camp ­– I took a course with Dr. Camp several years ago, but the reason I switched from a management major to a marketing major was because of her influence. She showed me how interesting marketing truly was, and I am truly thankful for her.

Susan Doty – If you’ve taken any economics course at UT Tyler, you know the name Susan Doty. She is a passionate professor and continues to be a valuable asset to UT Tyler. I am so grateful to her.

How did UT Tyler prepare you for a successful career?

I learned what I wanted to do professionally at UT Tyler. Many times, students go to college to search for their career, and some even finish their college career without an idea of what they want to do. I was fortunate enough to have amazing professors who truly cared about my success, and they invested their time and effort into my search. I can’t thank them enough.

What advice do you have for current UT Tyler students?

Get to know your professors. They’re people too, and they want nothing more than your success. Many of the faculty are skilled in their areas of study, and they are at UT Tyler simply because they care about the next generation. Don’t take them lightly, because they'll surprise you.

What are your hobbies/interests?

I am fortunate to have several hobbies. I play instruments including the guitar, piano and drums. I also love videography, hiking, playing pool and bowling. It’s a good idea to have hobbies to help ease the stress that can come with our daily tasks.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I'm glad that I attended The University of Texas at Tyler. Attending the school was a life-changing moment and an amazing chapter in my life. I’m excited to begin the next chapter as a professional in the workforce, but I definitely won't forget where I came from.

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