Meet the Ripplers: Chris’s journey from Civil Engineer to Recruiting Operations Specialist

Name: Chris Tung
Role: Recruiting Operations Specialist
Location: San Francisco
Rippler since: 2022

Roles + responsibilities

I’m currently Rippling’s University Program Manager and have the distinct privilege of interviewing and hiring our interns and seeing them grow as engineers while in our program. For many, it’s the start of a longer relationship. It’s an awesome experience being able to give them an offer to join our company as full-time engineers. Since the creation of our program back in 2021, we’ve welcomed over 60+ new grads to the engineering team, many of whom came from our internship program.

In our program, I strive to create an inclusive environment that encourages our interns to “Push the limits of possible” (one of our leadership principles!). What I try to deliver is an opportunity for them to really progress in their careers, unlike what they’ve seen at any internship they’ve had before. Understanding the struggles and challenges that college students go through, I try to empathize with and empower interns to seek out new opportunities, explore uncharted territories, and believe in their capabilities. 

This Rippler's journey

Before joining Rippling, I was a Civil Engineer for over seven years in the Bay Area, designing new buildings and retrofitting existing ones. I went to UC Berkeley and got my degree in Civil Engineering, later pursuing a master’s at UC San Diego in Structural Engineering. While it was my childhood dream to point at a building and say, “I did that,” I started to realize my passions actually lay elsewhere.  

During my latter years as an engineer, I ran my previous company’s intern program. I established training sessions and social events and provided general guidance to interns on how to build their careers. This was a natural fit since I had also been advising college students as a part of a community service group for 10 years. The height of the COVID-19 pandemic was when I reconsidered my career choices. With the help of a career coach, I found that University Program Management was not only a job that existed, but one that got me truly excited! After some thorough soul-searching and encouragement from my partner and parents, I made the leap. That was when I found Rippling.

I had the privilege of joining Rippling’s Recruiting Team as a Recruiting Coordinator on the University Team, focused on scheduling interviews for prospective intern candidates and facilitating their experience with the company. About a year in, I was offered the opportunity to become the Program Manager. 

Being at Rippling, I’ve found that I could truly drive my career to the place I had dreamed of. 

Memorable Rippling moments

• One of the most memorable moments was meeting my intern cohort in person on their first day. Their genuine excitement filled the room, and it was thrilling to connect with the interns after seeing their journey through our interview process. 
• At the end of their internships, our interns give a short presentation to the company about the work they have done and their time here at Rippling. It’s truly amazing to see their impactful work. You could feel the interns’ pride and excitement, along with their gratitude for their managers, mentors, and the program overall. It was here that I realized the importance of my work and how it has the potential to change lives. 

Work + life

Naturally, building up this company and continuing to invest in our growth requires us to run hard here at Rippling. But we definitely take time to create opportunities for balance. In particular, we have multiple social events for our intern program, allowing our team to relax and bond with each other as well as their managers. 

Personally, I’ve found a nice balance between work and personal life. Being born and raised in the Bay Area, our HQ is in the heart of my home. While I’ve been remote in both Los Angeles and Chicago for the past two years, I’ve also come into the office during the summertime for our intern program. Being able to experience both hybrid and remote working environments has allowed me to maximize my efficiency. I pride myself on providing a top-notch program for our interns and being able to connect with them in person while also having the benefit of working remotely during hiring season. With the trust of my managers, I feel empowered to take time off to make sure that I come to work each day feeling fresh and excited.

When I'm not managing Rippling’s University Program… 

Outside of work, you can usually find me cooking or baking, at the gym, playing golf, rock climbing, and maybe even gambling. I am also a big fan of pretty much anything Marvel, Star Wars, or Disney.

Tips for future Ripplers

If you want to drive your career and contribute to the growth and development of an amazing suite of products, Rippling is the place to be. This is a company where you can feel free to bring up concerns, ideas, and possibilities. Engaging in those conversations makes us stronger and has unlocked opportunities for our organization and myself.