For Shelton native Skyler Kim ’24 (CLAS, SFA), UConn was the obvious choice to further his career in media. His passion for photography and environmental storytelling has led him to work at Nutmeg Publishing and The Daily Campus, while completing three majors in environmental studies, journalism, and art.
Why did you choose to go to UConn?
My brother went to UConn from 2009 to 2013, so for a lot of the [basketball] championship years. I grew up watching UConn and always having UConn gear, so it was a pretty natural selection for me to make. It was the only school that I was truly comfortable with.
What drew you to your field of study?
I took a UConn Early College Experience environmental science course at Aquaculture Vocational School in Bridgeport. It was an hour and a half every day with the teacher and just nine kids. That made me really want to learn more about environmental science from an interdisciplinary perspective, and I always knew photography was the main goal in terms of a career. The meeting point of all of those was environmental storytelling, which journalism is then the vessel for.
What activities were you involved in as a student?
I started off at Nutmeg Publishing as a photographer during COVID-19 because I was like, “Wow, I have no money. I live off campus, but I have to pay for groceries.” Then I became photo editor there two years later, and I was editor-in-chief this year. I also work at The Daily Campus, where I started off as a grab [volunteer] photographer, then a staff photographer, and this year, I was the photo editor.
What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?
I think you assume a big state school would result in a lot of lectures that feel clinical and difficulty making connections with professors. But all three of my majors led to small and tight-knit classes. I still got a lot of small-school experiences from a relatively large school.
What was it like starting college during the pandemic?
For me, the lack of stimulation made me seek opportunities, and in a way, that was a silver lining. I think if I just fully indulged in normal college years, particularly socially, it would have been difficult to navigate, but I know that’s not the case for everyone.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I plan on taking a gap year with a work holiday visa in New Zealand. I hope to then pursue a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Europe involving environmental humanities programs.
How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?
The work opportunities have been microcosms of professional environments in the field I want to work in. Being able to foster community with other photographers that I’m learning from, as well as helping, is a rather difficult thing to find in a non-university setting, especially because not every major university has fully functioning or large student media organizations like UConn.
Any advice for incoming students?
Your life doesn’t end after four years here, which can seem both really daunting and really hopeful. This is just a very small part of where things are going.
What will always make you think of UConn?
If I ever have to walk through a wind tunnel in the winter, I’ll think of this lovely campus.
