Just at the Age of Seventeen

Shang enjoys spending time in the sports medicine facility to prepare for any assistance that may be needed during athletic games.

Kathleen Shang, a high school senior and Social Media director for STEMpathize, is passionate about educating youth, a dedication that started long before she joined the organization.

Shang’s role at STEMpathize involves leading the social media team, which requires meticulous organization. 

“There's a lot of coordination, tracking, and accountability required,” said Shang. “I want to make sure everyone on the team is not just doing their tasks but is also learning and growing.” Her leadership extends beyond managing social media posts; she hosts weekly meetings, initiates team-bonding icebreakers, and collaborates with other directors to discuss improvements and future projects for STEMpathize.

Beyond STEMpathize, Shang’s commitment to education is evident in her past work tutoring elementary students during summer classes. She finds working with younger students both rewarding and entertaining. 

“Kids are hilarious,” Shang noted. “They make tasks fun.”

Her love for helping others extends to her interest in sports medicine. 

“I love to help athletes during games,” Shang mentioned. “Plus, I get free merch!”

While her activities are diverse, Shang’s long-term goal is clear: she hopes to become a psychologist. 

“I knew I wanted to study the brain in some way, whether that was by becoming a neurologist or a psychiatrist” she stated. “I’m really interested in psychology.” 

Within STEMpathize, Shang ensures her team stays on track with the organization's social media posts. These include content like “Month of” posts. For example, the "Month of September" post was dedicated to Gynecologic Cancer Awareness, which shared information about different locations where the cancer may exist, risk factors, and treatments. Shang also oversees not just informative posts but also creative content that highlights lesser-known careers and trivia. 

Shang credits her passion for social media to her love of graphic design. 

“I started with Canva because it was easy, and now some team members have expanded their skills by using more advanced programs like Photoshop,” said Shang, reflecting on how she supports growth within her team.

To stay inspired and keep the content fresh, Shang regularly looks at other non-profits for ideas. “I love finding unique, project-based ideas and seeing how we can implement something similar in our posts,” said Shang. “It keeps us creative and ensures our content stands out.”

Though she is driven by her academic and career goals, Shang remains a grounded and creative individual. One of her fondest memories is discovering a box of old stories she wrote in kindergarten. 

“They were terrible, but so funny to look back on,” Shang said, laughing. It’s moments like these that reflect both her ambition and her sense of humor.

At just seventeen, Kathleen Shang is already making a lasting impact through her leadership and dedication to youth education. With her passion for psychology, her love of creative expression, and her commitment to helping others, Shang is well on her way to a successful future.