After being furloughed from his job as a manager of a local gym in Bellingham, Wash., Yeung Y. was referred to Enterprise by a close friend. In October 2020, he joined the Enterprise team as a Management Trainee in the Washington/Alaska region, and has been amazed by the amount of training, support and opportunity he’s had already. Yeung recently was presented with an opportunity to work at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where he is gaining even more experience.

As part of our recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Yeung, who is Chinese, shares why he’s proud to be part of the AAPI community.

What makes you proud to be part of the AAPI community?

I am proud to be part of a community that stands together and has continued to grow and become stronger every day. AAPI Heritage Month provides an opportunity for everyone to recognize and learn about different AAPI backgrounds and cultures. It also gives our community a chance to be recognized for the progress we have made towards equality.

What do you think people can do this AAPI Heritage Month to raise awareness and learn about important issues that impact the AAPI community?

It’s important for everyone to review the history of discrimination/hate/violence against people of color, to learn from our past and be better every day. Today, because of social media, we get a clear view of what’s been going on in our world. AAPI Heritage month also highlights many individuals who have stepped and spoken up to educate others about equality. We can use the many available resources to better ourselves for the future.

How does your manager or team encourage you to bring your whole self to work?

At the SeaTac Airport location, we have a very diverse team. My managers have created a safe and fun culture at work, where everyone is encouraged to be themselves.

Is there someone at Enterprise who has supported or mentored you?

I have received support from several different managers, but one made a particularly important impact: Assistant Branch Regional Manager Chanthida R. She always made sure I had the right resources to be successful and helped me through any challenges that arose.

Is there an AAPI person – within Enterprise or from your personal network – who inspires you?​

My mother Wendy, who arrived in the United States in 2004, has been my biggest inspiration. She is an example of someone who is proud of who they are and always shows tremendous respect to everyone around her. She worked multiple jobs to provide the best life for me and she has always helped out everyone around her.  She gained many close friends because of her character. Today, I am a team player who leads by example because of my mother’s guidance and the example she set for me.

What excites you about your Enterprise future?

Enterprise has offered excellent tools for me to take my career to the next level. I am excited to continue growing within the company, and eventually become an Area Manager or Regional Manager.