At just 14 years old, Kairan Quazi has achieved what most could only dream of in a lifetime. This exceptional teenager recently made headlines as he became the youngest graduate in the history of Santa Clara University, where he earned a degree in computer science and engineering. What’s more, he has now been hired by Elon Musk’s renowned space exploration company, SpaceX, making him the youngest person ever to join their ranks.
A remarkable prodigy
Quazi’s journey towards such remarkable accomplishments began at an early age. He embarked on his college education at the tender age of nine, defying conventional norms and expectations. Alongside his studies, he also secured an internship at Intel Labs when he was just 11 years old. With a natural inclination for learning, he describes himself as an “autodidact,” teaching himself to code and acquiring knowledge in various fields.
Excitement fills Quazi’s voice as he eagerly anticipates his new role at SpaceX. His goal is to utilise his skills and contribute to the company’s ambitious endeavours in space exploration. He looks up to Elon Musk as a role model, admiring his visionary approach and determination to push boundaries.
An ambitious future
In an announcement on his LinkedIn profile, Quazi shared his excitement, stating, “I will be joining the coolest company on the planet as a software engineer on the Starlink engineering team. One of the rare companies that did not use my age as an arbitrary and outdated proxy for maturity and ability.”
Quazi’s exceptional intelligence sets him apart, with an IQ believed to be in the top one-tenth percentile of the general population. While his friends are still completing middle school, he is on the verge of graduating with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Santa Clara University, an institution he will also leave a lasting mark on as the youngest graduate in its 172-year history.
His parents recognised his extraordinary abilities early on when he began speaking in full sentences by the age of two. At nine, after undergoing assessments, they discovered his exceptional giftedness. Even during kindergarten, he amazed teachers and classmates by sharing stories he heard on National Public Radio.
According to BrainGain Magazine, Quazi’s remarkable intelligence was confirmed through tests he took in the third grade, which placed him in the 99.9th percentile of the general population. Recognising that mainstream education couldn’t keep up with his fast-paced learning, his instructors, paediatrician, and parents agreed to explore alternative educational paths.
Quazi enrolled at Las Positas Community College, where he excelled not only as a student but also as a highly sought-after tutor. Then, at the age of 11, he embarked on his undergraduate journey at Santa Clara University, focusing on computer science and engineering. In addition to his academic pursuits, Quazi indulged in reading the works of acclaimed authors like Philip K. Dick and Michael Lewis, expanding his knowledge beyond the curriculum. He even actively participated in the student senate, fostering social connections along the way.
Extraordinary path to success
Recently, Quazi underwent an interview for a position at Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet subsidiary. Expressing his desire to contribute to something greater than himself, he revealed to the New York Times his enthusiasm for the opportunity. With a start date set for July, he and his mother are preparing to relocate from their Santa Clara residence to Redmond, Washington, to be closer to his new job at Starlink.
