By: Beth Anne Johnson
Some lessons can’t be learned in a classroom. Just ask Sara Dockins, a senior majoring in Materials Science and Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. While her coursework has challenged and shaped her, it’s her experiences outside the lecture hall that have truly defined her journey at Clemson.
Hailing from Six Mile, SC, Sara discovered early on that the best way to grow as an engineer—and as a person—is to get involved. “Find a technical student organization that you can get plugged into!” she advises. “You will learn a lot in your courses, but there are some things that you cannot learn in a classroom.”
For Sara, that organization was the Clemson University Rocket Engineering Team (CURE)—a decision she calls the best one she made, second only to coming to Clemson itself. Through CURE, she gained invaluable hands-on engineering experience, developed her leadership skills, and found a tight-knit community of fellow students who became more than just teammates—they became friends she could count on.
“I am a better student and engineer because of it,” she says. “I highly recommend everyone find an organization where they can grow, both personally and professionally.”
Sara’s story is a testament to the power of real-world experience and meaningful connections. Engineering is more than equations and problem sets—it’s about collaboration, innovation, and pushing boundaries. And for Sara, those lessons came to life through teamwork, late-night brainstorming sessions, and the thrill of seeing a project take flight—literally.
As she heads into her final year, Sara encourages others to take that leap, get involved, and seek out opportunities that challenge and inspire them. Sometimes, the most impactful learning happens when you step outside the classroom and into something bigger, a community like PEER WISE and organizations like CURE.
