Prodigy at 14: Kairan Quazi, the Youngest-Ever SpaceX Engineer, Confronts Cultural Adultism

In the realm where childhood and adolescence intertwine, where innocence dances with newfound independence, and where unrequited crushes and puberty mishaps leave a mark, there exists a young prodigy whose remarkable journey has led him to become the youngest engineer ever employed by SpaceX. Meet Kairan Quazi, the 14-year-old Bangladeshi American whose groundbreaking achievements are now overshadowed by the stark reality of cultural adultism.

Hailing from the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, this exceptional teenager earned his high school diploma at the mere age of 10, delved into the world of cyber intelligence as an intern at 13, and recently graduated from Santa Clara University with flying colors. Come late July, Quazi will embark on a new adventure as a valued member of SpaceX’s Starlink team, dedicated to revolutionizing satellite internet.

Behind his extraordinary story lies a childhood that embraced both learning and mischief. Quazi, an only child, enjoyed his fair share of tennis matches, video game sessions, and the occasional rendezvous with trouble. However, it was evident that his brilliance and tireless dedication set him apart. At the tender age of 9, his parents, initially hesitant but supportive, arranged for comprehensive assessments to determine his aptitude and emotional intelligence, responding to the pediatrician’s insistence.

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“My parents initially resisted the doctor’s recommendations, while I was enthralled by the idea of college. As a compromise, they decided that I would attend 4th grade in the mornings at a specialized school for gifted children, and devote my afternoons and evenings to full-time college courses. They sought to keep the door open for a return to regular school in case college proved unsuitable,” Quazi reveals in an exclusive interview with Vogue India.

Raised in a home that fostered a boundless passion for knowledge, Quazi had the privilege of unrestricted access to books and media, an intellectual freedom rarely witnessed in South Asian households. Such an upbringing, coupled with his academic prowess, propelled him to pursue career opportunities with renowned organizations like SpaceX.

“The SpaceX interview process is widely known as one of the most challenging, boasting an acceptance rate of a mere 0.2%. I underwent a grueling series of 10 interview rounds, spanning various formats. One of these rounds included a four-hour technical challenge, which I completed in less than two hours,” Quazi shares.

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Equipped with two advanced machine learning internships, hands-on experience in cyber intelligence, and the maturity to thrive in a fast-paced professional environment, Quazi not only conquered the technically demanding interviews but also showcased his critical thinking skills across diverse fields, including advanced mathematics, engineering, computer science, and systems design. Astonishingly, in an industry dominated by South Asians, it was his age, not his ethnicity, that became the focal point of discrimination during his job search.

“Throughout my job search, I encountered cultural adultism, despite U.S. labor laws explicitly exempting 14-year-olds who have completed their compulsory high school education from child labor restrictions. It is remarkable how many recruiters succumb to cognitive dissonance, disregarding every aspect of my résumé and personality, solely relying on biases rooted in my age,” he laments.

Unfazed by such obstacles, Quazi’s family delved into extensive research on federal labor laws, which stipulate the minimum employment age as 14, with restrictions on working hours and job types. Despite meeting all legal requirements, Quazi was confronted with concerns raised by recruiters regarding the potential discomfort of adult employees when interacting with a teenager in a professional setting. Ironically, discussions abound on the workplace discriminating against candidates deemed “too old” for certain roles, resulting in their forced departure. In Quazi’s case, he faced the reverse—an equally unjust and biased treatment that failed to acknowledge his exceptional skill set.

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Amidst the accolades showered upon him for his record-breaking achievements, Kairan Quazi seeks to shed light on this particular aspect of his story, urging companies to reevaluate their biases in hiring practices and to offer neurodiverse children worldwide the chance to advocate for themselves. Thus, he sought guidance from mentors in academia and the tech industry, enabling him to navigate the challenges posed by adultism, discriminatory behaviors, and prejudiced attitudes toward children, often resulting in unjust barriers and limitations when pursuing employment or opportunities that fall outside their perceived age range.

By sharing his experiences publicly, Quazi aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding industries or jobs that are deemed exclusive to those within society’s predefined notions of “appropriate” age. He strives to challenge the rigidity of traditional educational models, advocating for flexibility and personalized learning. Such discriminatory practices perpetuate the fallacy that chronological age alone defines one’s capabilities and potential, dismissing unique talents, intelligence, and passion. For neurodiverse children, in particular, their abilities should be nurtured rather than stifled.

“While online trolls often display ignorance about child labor laws, I have received thousands of inspiring messages from around the world. I want to inspire unconventional learners to embrace the risks inherent in forging their own paths, and defying mainstream mindsets. Furthermore, I encourage individuals in influential positions to reassess their approach to talent evaluation and risk. It makes no sense that someone with my cognitive abilities, accomplishments, and executive functions should be confined to a single predetermined path,” Quazi asserts.

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In a world brimming with possibilities, where age should never be a barrier to extraordinary achievements, Kairan Quazi stands as a beacon of inspiration, beckoning society to embrace diverse talents and dismantle prejudiced ideologies. His resolute pursuit of success challenges us all to reimagine the boundaries we place upon young minds and embrace the immense potential they hold.