Introduction

Kamla Tung, Director of International Communications and Marketing at ASU, with 10 years of experience working in China’s education sector. She specializes in admissions, enrollment, and supporting international students and their families through the higher education journey. (View the full interview on YouTube).

Personal Journey

• Early influences and education: Attended Arizona Cultural Academy (ACA), an Islamic school in Phoenix, where influential teachers Mr. Shah and Ms. Freeman shaped her critical thinking and commitment to community service. Her community engagement included early exposure to interfaith work, volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul, Ronald McDonald House, and building relationships with diverse faith communities. She also worked with refugee students from Sudan and Somalia, discovering her passion for bridging communication gaps and helping people connect. Completed her master’s degree in politics at UCSD, focusing on feminist theory and alternative approaches to geopolitics. Initially pursued diplomacy and State Department work but realized the realist frameworks conflicted with her values.
• Role of Islamic faith in career choices: She wears hijab as a political statement to create opportunities for dialogue and understanding about Islam and views it as opening a “line of communication” for people who may have no other exposure to Muslims. Faith values consistently ranked high in her decision-making framework. Mother’s emphasis on community involvement through interfaith activities shaped her approach to connecting with diverse communities
• Challenges faced as a Muslim professional: In China, she was offered a daycare manager position but told she must remove her scarf, and thus she declined. She had many Muslim friends had to remove hijab after graduation to secure employment in China. She had to navigate workplaces where hijab was technically prohibited for government/public-facing positions. Worked in a bilingual private school that respected her religious practices, contrasting with broader Chinese workplace norms.
• Key turning points and decisions: A major turning point when she got married during first year of master’s degree and chose to move to China to be with husband rather than pursue State Department career. Another major point was when she realized political science field was dominated by realist thinking incompatible with her critical theory values and decided education offered better platform for meaningful impact.

Industry Deep Dive

• Current role and responsibilities: She is the Director of International Communications and Marketing at ASU and works on enrollment and admissions side, communicating with international students and parents. Focuses on connecting with people and understanding how they prefer to receive information. She also bridges cultural gaps between different communication styles and expectations.
• Corporate ethics discussion: Prioritizes Islamic values while acknowledging Maslow’s hierarchy of needs—family and financial security must be addressed first. As far as her decision-making approach, she actively considers “why am I making this decision?” rather than relying solely on gut feeling. Makes an effort to distinguishe between institutional decisions and personal actions—when institutions fall short, uses personal resources to meet student needs.
• Specific cases of corporate misconduct in their field: Decisions are deeply personal and context-dependent. Acknowledges that family-building and career choices are “intricately tied to capitalism”—the system itself often forces impossible choices. Supports people who must make compromises (removing hijab, working for problematic companies) to feed their families
• How Muslim professionals can navigate ethical dilemmas: If you have the privilege to walk away from unethical work, you’re obligated to do so; if you don’t, focus on survival without guilt. If you stay at a problematic company, find ways to have conversations, educate colleagues, and create incremental change (“the slow game”).

Resources and Advice Segment

• Networking: Start building relationships before you need a job. Don’t approach networking events with “give me a job” energy. Every person you meet could be a connection to your next opportunity. Kamla’s entire career has been built on referrals from people who witnessed her work ethic
• Trust Building: Volunteer extensively, even in unpaid positions. Demonstrate reliability: “do what you say you’ll do”. Show your value through actions, not just words. Build reputation so others can vouch for your character and abilities. Student club involvement matters—it creates proof points of your capabilities
• Practical Networking Tips for Introverts: Skip small talk; ask “why” questions that get to meaningful conversation. People love talking about themselves—use that to build genuine connections. Be prepared to expend social energy strategically. Ask about motivations, background, and experiences rather than surface-level topics
• Career Planning Philosophy: Don’t wait until you need a job to start job hunting. Career paths are rarely linear—embrace serendipity. Your volunteer work today may become your paid opportunity tomorrow. The person you meet randomly could refer you to your dream job

Accountability Focus

• Discussion of specific corporations with problematic records: Understands why people stay (financial necessity) but doesn’t judge; encourages those with privilege to leave. Acknowledges moral complexity for employees trying to protest from within. Recognized these institutions wouldn’t align with her values despite initial diplomatic aspirations
• Analysis of human rights violations or war crimes connections: Career decisions are inseparably tied to economic survival—the system often forces choices between values and providing for family. Moving to China would have complicated State Department security clearance due to marriage to Chinese national. Referenced recent benefits being cut for four weeks—highlighted how economic precarity forces ethical compromises
• Ways to advocate for corporate accountability: Necessary to force those in power to listen when polite requests are ignored; references BLM protests and Palestine advocacy. Kamla’s preferred method—gradually educate people through relationship-building and patient dialogue; avoids triggering defensive emotional responses
• Alternative ethical options within the industry: List priorities explicitly; understand factors influencing each choice. When your workplace makes problematic decisions, use personal resources to fill gaps. Those who can afford to leave unethical work must do so; those who cannot should focus on survival without shame. Lean on faith community and networks when navigating difficult workplace situations
• rs and brands whose values align with theirs, thereby using consumer power to support ethical practices.

Closing Reflections

• Final advice from guest: Make active, conscious decisions about why you’re choosing one path over another. Don’t rely solely on gut feeling—interrogate your motivations and understand the factors at play. This applies to career choices, life partners, and all major decisions.
• Contact Information to reach guest speaker: She can be reached via email: kamla.tung@gmail.com and Whatsapp. She also responds in Linkedin
• Call to action for listeners: Don’t make decisions on autopilot. Whether choosing a job, handling workplace dilemmas, or navigating personal relationships, consciously identify what factors are influencing your choices and why. This deliberate approach ensures your actions align with your core beliefs, even when compromise is necessary.