“UoPeople Made Sure I Didn’t Have to Pause My Career to Earn a Degree,” Says Business Administration Student, Maddiel M.

For Maddiel M., earning a bachelor’s degree is about more than just completing a long-term educational goal. As a Cuban-American, first-generation college student, and working professional with 18 years of experience in the medical device industry, he has built his career around growth, perseverance, and hard work. He sees his education as another step in that lifelong commitment.

Based in Naples, Florida, Maddiel was raised in a family that deeply valued education and hard work. His upbringing taught him that success depends not on where you begin, but on the effort and dedication you put into achieving your goals.

“Being Cuban taught me the value of resilience, family, and hard work,” he says.

Those values have continued to guide Maddiel throughout his personal and professional life. He is now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) at University of the People, an achievement that carries particular significance because he is the first person in his family to attend college.

“For me, pursuing a bachelor’s degree represents more than a personal accomplishment,” Maddiel says. “It symbolizes breaking barriers and demonstrating to future generations in my family that higher education is achievable regardless of age, background, or life circumstances.”

Getting to this point has required persistence. One of Maddiel’s biggest challenges has been balancing a demanding full-time career, personal responsibilities, and higher education at the same time. He has often had to study late at night, on weekends, and during his personal time to keep up with his coursework.

There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming, but he remained committed to completing his degree. The experience has strengthened his resilience and taught him the importance of discipline and consistency.

Maddiel discovered UoPeople while searching for an affordable and flexible way to complete his bachelor’s degree. As a working professional with significant career responsibilities, he needed an educational program that could fit around his existing commitments without requiring him to put his career on hold.

“The flexibility of online learning allows me to advance my career while pursuing my degree,” he says.

Maddiel also transferred previous college credits to UoPeople. He found the transfer process to be smooth and straightforward, and says being able to build on his previous learning helped accelerate his path toward graduation.

“I recommend the transfer credit option to other students who may have previous college experience because transferring credits can help students save time and money while progressing toward their degrees.”

Now nearing completion of his BSBA, Maddiel particularly values the global nature of his UoPeople experience. Collaborating with students from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds has expanded his perspective and allowed him to learn from experiences different from his own.

“I have gained not only academic knowledge but also a broader perspective on the world,” he says.

His education is also closely connected to his professional ambitions. Maddiel currently works in healthcare and medical technology and has spent 18 years at Arthrex, a global medical device company. Throughout his career, he has developed an appreciation for teamwork, continuous improvement, and serving others.

As he approaches graduation, Maddiel hopes to build on his professional experience and move into leadership and product management roles. He wants to contribute to innovation, strategic growth, and positive outcomes for both customers and organizations.

He also plans to continue developing his skills through professional certifications and further education.

Outside of work and school, Maddiel enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and exploring new technologies. He is particularly interested in business, leadership, healthcare innovation, and artificial intelligence and is always looking for opportunities to learn and challenge himself.

For Maddiel, earning his degree while maintaining a full-time career has not always been easy, but it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

“UoPeople allowed me to turn those values into action by pursuing a degree while building a career,” he says. “My journey is proof that it’s never too late to invest in yourself and achieve your goals.”

Maddiel’s story is a reminder that educational goals do not have an expiration date. For him, the decision to return to higher education is helping him build on nearly two decades of professional experience while creating new possibilities for the future.