When most people hear the word innovation, they picture technology labs, engineers coding, or entrepreneurs building the next big startup. For a long time, I thought innovation was reserved for the “STEAM people”—the scientists, technologists, and designers. I never saw myself in that picture. My interests have always centered on government, policy, law, and addressing inequities. However, my experience as an alum of Innovators for Purpose (iFp) completely reshaped the way I think about innovation and, more importantly, the way I see myself in it.
Innovators for Purpose (iFp) is a Cambridge-based nonprofit dedicated to helping middle and high school students see themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and change-makers. While many youth programs emphasize STEM or academic achievement, iFp takes a more inclusive approach. The organization believes that innovation is not limited to labs or startups—it’s about equipping young people with the tools, confidence, and imagination to shape the world around them. Students come together in a collaborative environment where they can explore technology, art, design, and community issues, all while being encouraged to bring their authentic voices and lived experiences into their work.
iFp welcomed me with open arms, not because I fit a certain mold, but because I did not. The program thrives on the idea that innovation is not a narrow concept but the act of connecting ideas, solving problems, and creating opportunities for change. During my time in iFp, I realized that innovation isn’t just about new apps or robotics competitions; it’s about designing fairer systems, amplifying voices that are often left out, and using creativity to address the pressing challenges of our time.
Through hands-on projects, mentorship, and exposure to the ecosystem just blocks away in Kendall Square—the “most innovative square mile on the planet”—I saw firsthand how iFp turns proximity into possibility. The program gave me space to explore how my passion for policy and justice could intersect with technology and creativity. I learned that innovation could mean reimagining how communities access resources, questioning who gets left behind in decision-making, or building partnerships between students and global corporations that go beyond performative gestures.
At its core, iFp wants every student to leave with a deep belief in their own capacity to innovate. That means more than just technical skills; it’s about fostering critical thinking, creativity, and resilience. iFp hopes students will understand that innovation is as much about empathy and perspective as it is about coding or engineering. Whether a student is passionate about science, art, policy, or social justice, the program reinforces that all of these paths intersect with innovation.
By connecting students to the nearby Kendall Square ecosystem—home to some of the world’s leading research labs, biotech firms, and technology companies—iFp also aims to expand students’ sense of possibility. They want young people to see that the distance between their classroom and the center of global innovation is not a barrier but a bridge.
Being a part of iFp also reinforced my belief that young people are not just future leaders—they are innovators right now. I witnessed my peers build projects that spoke to their lived experiences, from tackling AI to designing solutions for social equity. Their work pushed me to think differently about what “counts” as innovation, and to see that the most transformative ideas often come from those who have been overlooked.
For anyone who thinks they don’t fit into the “innovation box,” iFp proves there is no box. Innovation belongs to all of us.