Because I studied chemistry as both an undergrad and a Ph.D. student, it’s hard for me to believe that I became a professor in a different field – electrical engineering and computer science.
Perhaps even more surprisingly, I never thought about an academic career while I was in college. I used to be really shy, always so nervous standing in front of people. So, after finishing my Ph.D. at Stanford, I began my career in the NASA Ames research center.
From Atheism to Christ
But something wonderful had happened during my Ph.D. studies that changed everything for me. I became a Christian.
This was miraculous because I grew up in China in an atheistic environment and was taught that human beings were a product of mindless evolution. God used my college friends and a professor to open my eyes to the possibility of the existence of God. There were so many things that evolution couldn’t explain that were best understood by believing in an all-powerful God.
After becoming a Christian, I had anticipated everything would go smoothly and easily. Isn’t God our Heavenly Father now? Didn’t He promise to help us? But somehow, after I started working at NASA, I felt totally lost. The routine of everyday life foreshadowed what my life would be like all the way until retirement.
What is the purpose of my life? I was haunted by this question and even felt life was not worth living.
Thankfully the leader of our fellowship lent me a biography of Hudson Taylor. The book was exactly what I needed. I saw how Taylor’s life blessed so many people and how meaningful his life was —even though it was full of hardship and danger. I desired to have a life like that.
After some careful thinking, I concluded that going back to China as a missionary was not feasible at that time. But I could perhaps make a detour – by finding a job in academia and using that as an opportunity to share the gospel with my students and colleagues. (Now, looking back, I know it does not matter where I work, NASA Ames or the university, as long as the purpose is for our Lord.)
From NASA to Teaching
I had graduated in June of 2002 and started working at NASA in July. By the time I wanted to look for an academic position, it was already November. For chemistry positions, the deadline for most openings had already past. But I did not want to wait another year to apply. I started to look for engineering positions. It happened that the MIT electrical engineering and computer science department was looking for a candidate in material synthesis. They contacted my Ph.D. advisor, my advisor recommended me, and I was hired.
That was more than 16 years ago. Now looking back, I see God’s gracious hand in leading me every step in this calling to be a witness for Him on campus. My life has been (and is still in the process of being) transformed to a life full of purpose, excitement, and satisfaction.
Jing Kong
MIT