Feature Stories 2025: Kadijah Young '25: Discipline and dedication

Kadijah Young ’25 doesn’t take shortcuts. Whether she’s balancing high-stakes sales, pursuing her finance degree online at UMass Dartmouth, or empowering others through financial literacy, Young approaches it all with purpose, passion, and perseverance.

“I was born and raised in beautiful Jamaica by Jamaican and Barbadian parents and later migrated to the U.S. as a teenager to pursue academic opportunities,” she says. “My educational journey began with a focus on engineering—specifically civil engineering—but life circumstances and personal hardships led me to reroute toward business.” After earning her associate’s degree in business administration from Cape Cod Community College, Young began an exhaustive search for a program that could match her ambition, her busy life, and laundry list of responsibilities outside academia.  

Finding the right fit 

Young’s path to her degree has been anything but conventional. It’s been shaped by hard work, sacrifice, and resilience. As a transfer student balancing a demanding full-time job and family responsibilities, she’s carved her own way forward, all on her terms. 

“I’ve always worked multiple jobs—at minimum, a full-time role and often one or two part-time positions as well,” she says. “While I managed to complete my associate's degree in person, the reality after COVID changed everything.”  

She found that online learning wasn’t just a necessity, but a revelation. “My reality required flexibility. Working to support both myself and my family left little room for a rigid class schedule. Online learning allowed me to pursue my degree without putting my career or responsibilities on pause.” 

“If you’re thinking about transferring: don’t be afraid. Own your story, and understand that your lived experience makes you stronger."

Online, but not alone

Young’s choice to pursue her degree online didn’t mean she was alone in the experience. 

“After earning my associate’s, I did extensive research to find a school that balanced quality with affordability. UMass Dartmouth stood out immediately, especially the Charlton College of Business,” she says. “Their programs had depth, structure, and national recognition—but more importantly, they respected non-traditional students like me. The flexibility to study online without sacrificing the intensity of the coursework sealed the deal.” 

Transferring from Cape Cod Community College, Young expected some bumps in the transfer process, but instead, she felt welcomed and supported from the start. “My previous credits transferred efficiently, and I felt like my journey was valued rather than overlooked,” she says. “If you’re thinking about transferring: don’t be afraid. Own your story, and understand that your lived experience makes you stronger, not behind. UMassD has the tools—you just have to bring the drive.” 

Despite learning remotely, Young still found meaningful ways to connect with others. She shared: “Sometimes you meet people who are also juggling a lot—jobs, kids, life—and it creates this shared respect. We check in, hold each other accountable, and collaborate where we can. It’s not face-to-face, but the connection is real."

The price of progress 

Online learning at UMass Dartmouth hasn’t been easy, but for Young, that was the point. 

“It’s been rigorous—honestly, a lot tougher than people assume. The course load is the same as in-person, but without the benefit of that foundational classroom experience.” Her motivation? Pure discipline. “I manage my time fiercely. I don’t have the luxury of half-assing anything,” she reflected. “If I let things slide, I know from experience it’ll catch up with me—so I stay on top of everything.” 

“I set strict study blocks and sometimes that means staying up until 3 AM or waking up at 3 AM just to get work done. It’s exhausting, but it’s what I have to do.” 

Turning knowledge into action 

Young is already applying her classroom experience to her professional life.

“The curriculum has been extremely hands-on and rooted in real-world application. It’s not just theory—we’re expected to use tools like Excel, financial models, and valuation frameworks that I’ve actively applied in my professional life,” she explains.

“As someone who works in sales, I constantly find myself simplifying and communicating financial concepts like equity, depreciation, interest rates, and opportunity cost to clients. This program gave me the confidence and the language to do that effectively.” 

Not just a degree, but a direction  

Young has ambitious plans and a clear roadmap. 

“My goal is to build a long-term career in financial services. I plan to start my own tax office and become an Enrolled Agent (EA). Right now, I’m preparing to pursue a Master of Science in Finance (MSF). I chose the MSF path over an MBA because the MBA felt too broad.” Her message to future students is clear and honest. “Be ready to do the work. Online doesn’t mean easier—it means more accountability, more independence, and more sacrifice.” 

“Stay organized, use the resources, ask for help when you need it, and don’t wait for someone to push you—push yourself.” 

The win 

To Young, success isn’t something you’re given, it’s something you endure. 

“I kept going. I stayed focused. I’m in my early 20s, working multiple jobs, and I’ve managed to fully fund my education out of pocket. No student loans. That in itself is something I’m extremely proud of.” 

Young says with immense pride: “It’s a refreshing and empowering feeling to know that everything I’ve earned, I worked for. Every late night, every early morning—it all meant something. And that’s the win.”