Being far away from home has its challenges, something that Sugam Kafle knows from firsthand experience.

As an international student from Nepal, it’s been over six years since Kafle has seen his family. On top of that, his brother is living in Australia. 
Kafle moved to the U.S. to further his education back in 2017, and hasn’t had the chance to visit home since then, due to COVID.

“Since I’ve been here so long it does get hard because both siblings are in different countries and mom and dad are alone at home,” he said.

Kafle came to UNT as a transfer student, but has since become an exceptional leader and student worker. He said applying to UNT was a very easy process. 
“I got accepted and was handed potential scholarships within a week.”

Kafle was interested in IT, but had been pursuing engineering because that’s what his parents wanted him to originally study. When applying to UNT, he was introduced to the BCIS major, which combined business and STEM together.

When asked why he chose the Ryan College of Business, Kafle’s answer was simple.

“The building sold me,” he said.

He also credited the amazing opportunities that the college offers its students to become more involved, like the Professional Leadership Program and the Business Ambassadors.

He became a student worker in the Ryan College of Business Undergraduate Advising Office, and gave tours of the Business Leadership Building to prospective students and their parents. Those experiences helped build his communication skills, and got him out of his shell.

“Being in a room full of students and parents put me in so many awkward positions that now I’m so comfortable talking to people and handling large groups while being professional,” said Kafle.

However, his biggest concern was to get a job before he graduated.

“It’s not very easy to get jobs as an international student, because you have to be sponsored by companies,” explained Kafle.

Despite his concerns, however, he recently accepted a position as a mainframe analyst with Bank of America, starting in July.

He attributes this opportunity to several professors and mentors he met while at UNT.

Professor Hardy introduced him to the mainframe industry and the abundance of jobs within big corporate companies. 

“[Professor Hardy] presented me with an opportunity to become an IBM Z Systems ambassador, which threw me into the industry of mainframes. I learned a lot and got the chance to network with international students around the world. I really loved the experience,” said Kafle.

He then met with Bank of America recruiters at a mini career fair for mainframe students, organized by Professor Hardy.

Kafle also gave a shout out to College Recruiter Keeley Flynn, who he worked with as a student worker in the Undergraduate Advising Office.

“She’s been a big part of my personal and professional growth, and has been a great mentor to me,” said Kafle.

​​​​​​​While Kafle is thrilled about the Bank of America position, he said he wants to move into a management position in the future, where he can help others and become a consultant.

“My heart really is in consulting. I started the Circle Consulting Group at UNT with my friend, because our ITDS chair suggested I would be a good consultant based on the way I talk and present myself,” said Kafle.

He said that consulting makes communication easier between IT-minded people and business-minded people. Since he has experience with both, he feels he can bridge the gap between the two more easily.

Ultimately though, Kafle wants to get his PhD, do research, and then eventually become a professor. 

“I have a knack for explaining things a lot to other people, so I think I would be a great teacher. I taught a small classroom in Nepal for a few months, which I know is different than college students, but I love academia,” he said.

Excited for the future, Kafle wants to thank the entire UNT ITDS Department for the knowledge and opportunities they gave to him, as well as always encouraging him to push himself.

“I feel like I sell myself short a lot, but my professors would keep telling me that I have more potential than I think I do.”

Kafle also wanted to share a piece of advice one of his professors gave him: “Don’t be afraid of failing, because this is your age to fail.”

Congratulations to Sugam Kafle on his incredible journey and upcoming graduation, and for inspiring the UNT community during his time here!