Finding Passion Through Exploration: Student Embraces Cross- Disciplinary Collaboration in NMID

When Nick Will applied to RIT, he wasn’t certain of the path ahead of him. Like many students, he grappled with questions such as “What do I want to do?” or “ Where do I belong?” But through exploration, experiential learning, and support from the RIT community, Nick discovered his passion for multidisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge technology within the New Media Interactive Development (NMID) program in the School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM).

A Journey of Uncertainty to Discovery

Nick’s journey began with an interest in computing sparked by high school computer science classes and a love of video games. However, he struggled to decide on a major when applying to college. RIT’s computing exploration (CompEx) program became a pivotal starting point. This unique program allowed him to explore various computing fields, taking classes across multiple disciplines before selecting his major.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do exactly,” Nick admitted, “but computing exploration gave me the chance to try everything and figure out what I could see myself doing”

Through this program, Nick developed a strong appreciation for all the different computing disciplines specifically, software development, design, and cybersecurity. Ultimately, the creative freedom and cross-disciplinary aspects of new media interactive development resonated with him the most. Nick summarizes his choice to pursue an NMID BS with a minor in Cybersecurity saying, “there's a lot of different opportunities to do things that other people haven't done before.”

However, as he advanced beyond the CompEx program, Nick described still feeling overwhelmed by comparison to his peers and the pressure to define his creative and professional identity. “I was trying to fit myself into a box,” Nick explained. The turning point came when Nick began utilizing RIT’s on-campus resources. He credits the Co-op and Career Services office, and IGM faculty and staff with helping him navigate these uncertainties. These resources provided professional guidance and opportunities for him to build confidence at his own pace.

Becoming a Leader

Nick’s decision to become an NMID Ambassador was instrumental on his path to self-discovery. Representing his program at events and interfacing with prospective students and their families helped him overcome his fear of public speaking. “I started with giving individual tours,” Nick said, eventually working his way to speak on Open House panels. 

Reflecting on his progress, Nick said, ”It’s been a long journey of growth but I’ve always had faculty/staff making me feel really comfortable in taking each of those steps to feel a lot more confident in my ability to be successful.” This newfound self-assurance aided Nick in landing co-op opportunities and building a vast network of like-minded people.

Hands-On Exploration

Nick’s hands-on experiences in and out of the classroom allowed him to experiment with multidisciplinary approaches to his projects and refine his career goals. His co-ops with the MITRE Corporation were especially transformative. As an innovation lab intern, Nick collaborated with talented professionals from various disciplines in a state-of-the-art lab filled with emerging technology—from robots to pre-release tools not yet available to the public.

“Being surrounded by so much talent and creativity was inspiring,” Nick shared. “It pushed me to explore ideas I’d never considered.”

During a later co-op with MITRE, Nick took on a leadership role developing an application for the Apple Vision Pro. He got involved with every aspect of its creation from user testing and 3D asset production to design and coding. This experience deepened his understanding of the workforce, solidified his desire to work at the intersection of technology and creativity, and empowered him to advocate for future students in the NMID program.

Looking Ahead

Today, Nick is more certain than ever about what he wants for his future. He dreams of creating innovative projects that bridge disciplines and push technological boundaries. From developing interactive applications to exploring augmented and virtual reality, Nick’s work exemplifies the endless possibilities of Interactive Development.

For students just starting their journey, Nick offers this advice: “Get involved earlier and explore as much as you can. It’s okay not to have all the answers right away. The more you try, the more you’ll learn about yourself and what excites you.”

Written by: Micah Audycki