I've known Dr. Karl Reid for many years, beginning when I started at MIT and he served as my first academic advisor. Since then, I've watched him grow and change others in ways that I can only hope to do one day. From continuing on to receive his Ed.D. in education while heading the Office of Minority Education at MIT, to affecting change on a national scale in the education system for minorities, Karl has been incredibly passionate about helping others and a true mentor to me. I'm very humbled that we were able to sit down a few months ago and discuss his thoughts on passion and his path that led him to where he is today.

PopularRyan BonaparteJanuary 20, 2015Conversations on Passion, Passion, Education

Conversations on Passion: Ayah Bdeir of littleBits

Conversations on Passion is an interview series with those who have found and are living their passions in some form. If you'd like to be profiled or know someone who would be a great fit, send me a note at ryan@crazyenoughtotry.com.

I'm really excited to share with you this next Conversation on Passion. I was fortunate enough to connect with Ayah Bdeir, founder and CEO of littleBits. If you're not familiar with littleBits, they are working to change the perception of engineering by making it straightforward and engaging for young people. Think motors, motion sensors, and other electronic components that can be connected in a matter of seconds into complex circuits and then reassembled to make a new type of circuit. All connections are made via magnets, so there's no way to mess up. Great stuff! Ayah presented at TED2012 in Long Beach, and was awarded a TED2013 Senior Fellowship. She's very passionate about what she does and has some interesting insights on passions and some great advice on how to find and keep yours.

Ryan BonaparteMarch 13, 2014Conversations on Passion, Interview, Education, Entrepreneurship, TED, Creativity, Business

You Don't Need A Degree To Be Something

The other day, I was thinking about how I defined myself and how much my education influenced that. I am an engineer because I went to school to learn how to be an engineer, graduated with an engineering degree, and I currently work as an engineer.

And then I thought, that although I was an engineer by education, I was also an author. That came not from education, but from action.

From there I began to think of numerous other professions that don't require more than a bit of learning and the will to break into them.