How Dylan Kim is Empowering His Own Path in the Education Industry

Can you carve your own path in life? As a kid, Dylan often felt out of place. School wasn’t captivating for him and despite now being a student at the prestigious Boston College, he would tell you himself that he is “not a very good student.” What he did find fascinating was video games. Little did he know, this passion would ignite a spark that would guide him towards an extraordinary path.

From Amateur Gamer to Aspiring Entrepreneur

Dylan moved countries often throughout his schooling years. "I didn't really care about school as a kid; I mostly just wanted to play video games because I moved a lot and wanted to play with my friends even when I was living halfway across the world," Dylan recalls. His immersion in the virtual world piqued his curiosity about how these games were made. This curiosity led him to start creating his own video games, introducing him to software engineering.

As Dylan dove deeper into game development, he realized that his skills had broader applications. This realization began his transition from a passionate gamer to a budding entrepreneur.

Discovering the Power of Entrepreneurship

A pivotal moment for Dylan was joining the LaunchX Entrepreneurship Program in 2021. "When I went to LaunchX, I finally understood what entrepreneurship was," he says. The program opened his eyes to the broader implications of his skills and passions, teaching him that entrepreneurship wasn't just about starting businesses but a mindset that could be applied to any field to maximize opportunities and create meaningful impact.

One of LaunchX's unique aspects is its ability to unite a global community of like-minded individuals. "What LaunchX uniquely has is the fact that it brings together a community from all over the world... Being immersed in that experience was my highlight," Dylan notes.  Many students, like Dylan, came from backgrounds where they felt out of place – lacking a community or mentors who understood their entrepreneurial spirit. Together, they are inspired and empowered to create their one visions.

Turning Passion into Purpose

Dylan's journey with LaunchX wasn't just about acquiring business acumen; it was about adopting a mindset that embraces opportunities beyond current resources. “I still use a quote from professor Bert [Sither] all the time, that entrepreneurship is ‘the pursuit of opportunities beyond resources controlled,’” Dylan shares. He believes that entrepreneurship isn’t just a career but a way of thinking that prepares individuals to excel in any setting by maximizing the opportunities given to become the best version of themselves. At LaunchX, Dylan cofounded Lessun, a platform that connected students studying the International Baccalaureate using AI integration and support.

Dylan’s entrepreneurial journey didn't stop after the summer. He went on to merge Lessun into another company and is now on his second venture, which is also within education. His passion for education stems from his own experience as a student who didn't fit the traditional mold. 

"I'm really interested in the education space - like I said, I was never a really good student, but the ethos that really resonates with me on this adventure is how do I help students? How do I better the education experience?"

Going Your Own Way

As a high school student, it is immensely difficult to find a place for yourself amidst the standardized tests and the yellow brick road to university. This is much like exploring the entrepreneurship space itself; there's no map, and you rely on your own grit and resilience to innovate towards a sometimes unknown point B.

The program emphasized the importance of perseverance, which Dylan found essential as he watched many of his friends secure prestigious jobs at companies like Goldman Sachs and Microsoft. "I'm at the point where a lot of my friends are getting very prestigious jobs... Meanwhile, I'm in an old office with one whiteboard and a few buddies trying to build something cool." This experience underscored the value of sticking to his chosen path and having the confidence to pursue what truly mattered to him.

Dylan Kim’s journey illustrates the transformative power of resilience and the value of finding the right community. His experiences have taught him to embrace failures, build confidence, and cultivate a mindset that seeks out opportunities. For high school students and aspiring entrepreneurs, the message is clear: empower yourself to pave your path, and the possibilities are limitless. You cannot be defined by a single path,  as simply a gamer, a student, or an entrepreneur. By embracing your unique journey and staying true to your passions, you can pave your own path filled with endless opportunities and inspire others along the way.

‍

Connect with Dylan and MLV Ignite:

Instagram, Tiktok: @mlvignite 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mlvignite/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanskim/

‍