Khem Khadka ’22 has proven that despite enduring harsh living conditions for years, it is possible to accomplish great things. The key, he says, is persistence and applying lessons from each chapter of life toward a positive outcome.
By December 2023, his persistence will pay off with a master’s degree in data science and business analytics — his second degree from UNC Charlotte — and put him on a path to fulfill his dream of completing advanced studies to improve his and his family’s socioeconomic condition.
In his native country of Bhutan in southern Asia, political turbulence led to his family’s exile when he was only 8 years old. For the next 18 years, they lived — and Khadka attended school — in an area designated for refugees. Finally, at age 26, he was able to immigrate to the United States with his wife, Khima.
Part-Time Job, Full -Time Dream
Upon arriving in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2009 — in the midst of the Great Recession — he grabbed opportunities when they came his way, starting with a position in the produce department at Fresh Market. Rather than becoming discouraged over being hired only part-time due to limited options in the overall economy, Khadka persisted until he became a full-time staff member.
Working alongside high school students, many who believed higher education is a “scam” that would leave them with heavy debt and lacking a secure career, Khadka found ways to encourage them to assume a more positive outlook while reminding them how fortunate they are in America. “I told them, you need to have a mindset around building your own opportunities. There are plenty if you look for them — and do not expect them to be handed to you.”
As the couple settled into their new life, Khadka explored education opportunities. He began by earning 12 credits at Wake Technical Community College while working full-time at Fresh Market. As this schedule became difficult to manage, earning a degree became a top priority. With savings, Khadka and his wife moved to Charlotte in 2016 after hearing from friends about the Queen City’s extensive opportunities. He landed a job at a Black and Decker warehouse, where a more consistent work schedule allowed him to focus on his studies.
Data Science for the Win
Meanwhile, he enrolled in the undergraduate data science program at UNC Charlotte and received the Carol A. Douglas Re-entry Scholarship, designed specifically for nontraditional students. Drawn to data science because of the field’s recent rapid growth, he recognizes the competitive advantage of data science expertise in the job market.
“With a rise in the availability and computing power of computers, many companies are turning toward previously unharnessed possibilities hidden in their data,” Khadka said. “I chose Charlotte because it’s the only university in the Carolinas that offers a B.S. in data science. The program applies mathematics and the power of computing to real-world problems while using data to help solve them.”
In May 2022, Khadka was among the first 11 graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Data Science program offered by UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science. Today, he is enrolled in the Master of Data Science and Business Analytics program and was able to gain valuable experience through a paid internship with Wells Fargo’s Model Risk group. In addition to contributing to the development of models that forecast risks, he was involved in business analytics, coding, machine learning and Python.
This summer, Khadka’s momentum continues when he starts a full-time position with Honeywell International as a system analyst, allowing Khima and him and their children, Ryan and Ruby, to remain in Charlotte. Reflecting on his journey, Khadka observes how “… some people in America believe there isn’t a lot of opportunity here — but they can’t compare it to life elsewhere; it’s about perspective.”