The atmosphere at NC State sold Kaya Shimer, a graduating senior majoring in design studies with a minor in business entrepreneurship, on this university. With a welcoming campus and academic programs that piqued her interest, it was a done deal.

Throughout her time at NC State, Kaya has been involved in a plethora of clubs, organizations, and programs. As part of the University Honors Program (UHP), she has been a fellow for two years, studied abroad in Trinidad and Tobago and Florence, Italy, and lived in the honors village on campus. She has worked in multiple departments outside of UHP, including an internship with the Gregg Museum of Art and Design.

Finding her entrepreneurial pack

While on the hunt for her first on-campus job, Kaya stumbled upon Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IE) while perusing the NC State job board. Here, she found her place as an events and marketing assistant. 

After attending her first mentorship meetup, she knew she wanted to get more involved. It was her first event as a working student with IE, and it was “love at first sight!” Kaya enjoyed talking to both students and mentors. She fell in love with the community, which is what ultimately drove her to get more involved. 

“It kind of just bled into all aspects of my life. I kept coming to events, started my minor in entrepreneurship and eventually moved towards starting my own business,’ Kaya said.

Expanding her entrepreneurial view

As she dove deeper into the IE ecosystem, Kaya explored entrepreneurship in various ways. After reflecting on her experiences, she identified two favorites: the mentorship meetups and the New York City fall break trip. She credits both of these to helping her grow personally and professionally. 

“I learned a lot about what a successful entrepreneur could look like, which helped me discover that I wanted to be an entrepreneur myself. I really enjoyed meeting new people and trying new experiences,” said Kaya.

A bright future ahead

In the fall, Kaya will start a master’s in public administration and library science at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. She is excited to use this degree to help her community, either in the nonprofit sector or local government. 

While working on her master’s, Kaya plans to launch a startup. She plans to lean into the entrepreneurial mindset she developed through IE programs to help her balance school with her startup, as well as challenge herself to take on new projects. 

Advice to her younger self

After navigating her time as an undergraduate, Kaya reflected on advice she would give herself as a first-year student. “Honestly, I would tell myself to take a deep breath and just calm down. Not everything has to happen all at once, and sometimes saying no is the right call. Focus on the things that you know are right for you.”