ISABELLE “IZZY” KIM ’18

"How can I make the world more fun?” In the dynamic world of technology and user experience, creativity knows no bounds. One individual who embodies this spirit of innovation and passion-driven design is Isabelle “Izzy” Kim, an Amazon professional who has embarked on a remarkable journey from the realm of art and craft to the cutting-edge world of Alexa, conversations, and screens.

Izzy’s journey was rooted in her Korean arts class at SFS. Izzy fondly recalls crafting holiday paper mache creations and turning balloons into figurines of beloved characters like Elsa and Olaf. It was during this time that Ms. Anna Park, her SFS teacher, recognized her talent and suggested toy design as a potential career path. As Izzy engaged in playful crafts and activities, she realized the joy in helping children have fun and the prospect of a fulfilling career. This realization spurred her to pursue a path that would merge her passion for design with the joy of making people's lives easier.

Izzy explored courses in industrial design at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and cross-registered courses at Brown University. Here she learned that her passion lay not just in how products looked but in understanding how they worked. Even in her younger days, Izzy displayed a penchant for improving functionality. She designed a mechanism to make it easier to carry water bottles upstairs into her room, showcasing her commitment to making life more convenient for people. It was clear that her passions revolved around understanding the intricacies of how things functioned and how people interacted with them.

During her time in college, Izzy's passion for design evolved further. She joined the Brown entrepreneurship club, where she met like-minded individuals. Her experience using the Robinhood app during her time at SFS became invaluable and provided her with the opportunity to work with a finance start-up. These experiences allowed her to delve into digital user interface design, using programs that would later become essential in her career. Izzy's interest in finance and broad perspectives allowed her to bridge the gap and acquire a diverse skill set.

Her time at SFS developing her creative passions through classes like Korean model building and IB Art became invaluable in her college coursework. She transferred her knowledge to her coursework, building a robust portfolio that showcased her passion for user experience and design. Yet, despite her burgeoning skill set, Izzy faced self-doubt and a lack of confidence when it came to landing a job at Amazon. The tech giant felt like a big reach for her at the time. However, Izzy was driven by the idea that innovation and customer experience were areas in which she could truly make an impact.

Fast forward to the present, Izzy works in user experiences, envisioning ways to engage customers in the realm of Alexa applications. The landscape of user experience has been evolving rapidly, especially with the advent of technologies like ChatGPT. Izzy's goal was not only to predict how conversations could turn but also to re-engage users and make them more aware of the potential of Alexa. Izzy views the company as a stepping stone in her journey to learn more about the industry and how companies operate. While she values her time at Amazon, Izzy acknowledges that her ultimate goal is to become an entrepreneur in the field of children’s education, creating a world that is more fun and engaging, a commitment she's carried since her childhood. Arts and crafts were integral to her upbringing, nurturing her creative spirit and playfulness and she hopes to create that same experience for future generations.

Yet, she also acknowledges the challenges of balancing passions with a demanding career. The fatigue is real, and finding time for oneself can be a struggle. While Amazon offers a plethora of learning opportunities and exposure, Izzy recognizes that working for someone else's dream can sometimes lead her away from her own aspirations. To overcome these challenges, Izzy employs a "5-second rule." If a thought related to her passions arises, she gives herself five seconds to act on it. This simple but effective technique allows her to maintain a connection with her interests while working a full-time job. In Izzy's view, pursuing one's passions is a gift to oneself, and it's essential, even if it means making compromises in other aspects of one’s life.

SFS teachers provided unwavering support and encouragement throughout her journey with a “kinship and understanding.” Izzy's journey is a testament to the power of teachers and mentors. She's grateful for SFS’s community and teachers. “SFS has great counselors, great teachers, great programs, great campuses…the perfect experience. I never wanted to graduate from SFS. Though I was not top of class, my teachers told me that I would do something great. Their words were powerful. Everything they said encouraged me. Knowing that I had strong passions for the arts, SFS teachers infused my creative spirit within their classes.” She has vivid memories of the impactful educators who encouraged her passions and nurtured her creativity. Teachers like Ms. Anna Park, Mr. Callhan, Mr. Hahm, Ms. Creech, Mr. Kamphiums, and Mr. Rader played instrumental roles in shaping her journey. Their words were powerful motivators, inspiring Izzy to follow her passions with confidence. To this day Izzy follows her teachers on social media, and hopes to make them proud with her accomplishments. As she looks to the future, Izzy considers pursuing a master's degree and the possibility of returning to SFS as a teacher.

Her experiences at SFS and beyond have instilled in her the belief that a well-rounded perspective is crucial. “What good is it if we are not well rounded and independent thinkers?” While financial success and career achievements are important, they hold little value if they don't lead to emotional fulfillment. Lots of research indicates having stimulating activities during developmental years impacts one’s mental and physical health as an adult. That’s why she wants to focus her projects and work with bar-raisers on outdoor play, launching kits or arts boxes that use the outdoors as a creative medium to encourage people to explore freely.

She encourages others to follow their passions, emphasizing that the pursuit of what brings joy and fulfillment is the true essence of life. “As long as you follow your passion, you will get to where you belong.” Izzy remains committed to innovation, design, and making the world a more enjoyable and fun place for people of all ages.