Garrett Mast, a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), harbored long-held aspirations of pursuing higher education on the East Coast. However, upon embracing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 16, Mast found himself irresistibly drawn to the educational opportunities afforded by BYU.
Mast’s relocation from Houston, Texas to BYU was not devoid of challenges. His inaugural semester at the university coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the majority of his classes being conducted online. Nevertheless, Mast discovered solace and a sense of community within his student ward, where he established connections with like-minded individuals who shared his beliefs.
During his tenure at BYU, Mast has been actively engaged in a variety of on-campus employment and experiential learning opportunities. His involvement with the audio crew for BYU theater and media arts performances provided him with invaluable firsthand insight into the global impact of BYU and its alumni. Mast fondly reminisces about accompanying BYU performing groups on a tour of Germany, where he was profoundly impressed by the reach and positive influence of BYU, even in remote rural areas.
While initially uncertain about his career trajectory, Mast’s interest in genealogy research was ignited by an introductory family history course. Subsequently, he assumed a role at the Center for Family History and Genealogy, where he currently leads a team of research assistants dedicated to studying individuals who resided in Nauvoo, Illinois during the time when the church was headquartered there. His responsibilities involve delving into the past of early Saints and endeavoring to transform their stories into narrative histories.
As a project supervisor, Mast is tasked with overseeing the entire research process, from scrutinizing historical records to collaborating with computer programmers to develop interactive maps of land ownership in Nauvoo. This experience has kindled within him a fervor for fusing technology with family history to visually convey information about individuals and places alongside their respective histories.
Looking to the future, Mast envisions himself working in the genealogy industry and striving to render historical information more accessible to others. He harbors intentions of pursuing a master’s degree in library and information sciences to further augment his expertise in this field. Despite the uncertainty that lies ahead, Mast looks back on the invaluable experiences and skills he has gleaned at BYU, underscoring the university’s unwavering dedication to comprehensive learning beyond the confines of the classroom.
In summation, Mast’s unanticipated sojourn from Texas to BYU has not only broadened his perspectives, but has also steered him towards a gratifying career in genealogy and technology. BYU’s emphasis on personal and professional growth has furnished Mast with the requisite confidence and skills to effectuate a profound impact in his future pursuits.
Tyler Stahle, in his capacity as the media relations manager for BYU, played an instrumental role in disseminating Mast’s compelling narrative.