Opportunities for Discovery: Nathan Kim ’26 on finding your passion at MIT
Nathan Kim ’26 is a first-generation college student with ties to many different areas of the MIT community. Entering MIT, he took advantage of his uncertainty about what he wanted to study, completing a wide range of classes, until one First-Year Discovery course sparked his interest in management, which is now his major. He is also a recipient of the Andrew P. Skibo Scholarship Fund. Going into his junior year, Nathan says he is “excited about the moments of growth that come with an MIT education.”
Q: What is one thing you are proud to have accomplished so far at MIT?
A: This past year, I was one of 12 people to be on the Brass Rat 2026 Ring Committee, which designs the class ring for MIT each year. It’s a long process because it’s a very intricate design—we spent hours discussing what shade of yellow it should be and what “Easter eggs” we would hide. It was an honor to take part in something that has such a big role in the MIT experience. The people I worked with are now some of my closest friends.
Q: How did MIT make you feel welcome in its community when you first arrived?
A: I feel like MIT was welcoming even before I was a part of the community. I’m a first-generation college student, and I didn’t have that much knowledge about the college experience. So, in high school, an upperclassman recommended that I apply to a summer program to explore my options, and I got into the MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) summer program. Through that program, I was able to talk to some MIT admissions officers and current MIT students who were open to sharing their experiences, and it was because of their stories I chose to apply to MIT in the end. They mentioned how MIT has such a diverse and inclusive community and so many resources to explore different majors or certain passions. This summer, I returned to the MITES program as a counselor. It’s a full-circle moment because they helped me so much in getting where I am today, and now I’m doing the same thing for rising high school seniors.
Q: How did you decide on your major?
A: When I started here, I was completely undecided. I appreciated that MIT has discovery courses that aren’t associated with a particular major, and the first–year pass/fail model put less stress on the academics. I could focus on finding my learning style, determining a work-life balance, and just getting used to college life. Through the discovery course Introduction to Design Thinking and Innovation Leadership for Engineers, I learned the process for how to build a product, and I became interested in studying product design and engineering management. With this class, I realized I can turn these different interests into a career. Right now, I’m enjoying studying a combination of mechanical engineering and business management.
Q: Have you done any interesting research projects?
A: I worked as a student researcher for the MIT Office of Sustainability (MITOS). Sustainability was a big part of my high school career, so I wanted to explore how I could help out the MIT community in that way. I worked on some projects with the Design out Waste group. Originally, food waste was going into the trash systems in dorms, and that food waste accounts for a big percentage of MIT’s overall waste. MITOS wanted to move it towards food waste compost areas instead of putting it in disposal sites. My role was doing data research on food waste disposal systems and waste management in dorms and planning certain methods to guide students to accurately dispose of food waste. It was a great learning opportunity because I worked with my supervisor to create plans that align with MIT’s climate goals and will create a greener campus.
Q: How do you like to relax and de-stress during the school year?
A: I enjoy photography and videography—I think these are a good way to remember the small things in life. I appreciate how everyone who has a camera can show the world through their perspective. On the weekends, I like doing a little of both extroverted and introverted things, like exploring the city with my friends, trying new restaurants, and just getting out of the MIT bubble every now and then.
Q: How has scholarship support affected your outlook?
A: It lets me focus on my academic journey, on exploring my passions in a comforting environment. It allows me to push myself to the best of my ability and see what I want to do. The ability to attend MIT and then make the most of it without having to worry about certain things is something that I’m always grateful for.
This article was written by Julianne Massa, a 2024 Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Summer Intern.