By: Beth Anne Johnson
When Chemical Engineering alumna Kenetra Johnson (‘21) packed her bags for New York City, she carried more than her Clemson degree. She brought with her the encouragement, resilience, and sense of community she found at PEER & WISE. Today, as she celebrates four years in the city that never sleeps, Kenetra reflects on the moments that shaped her—and the risks that paid off.
A Starting Point in Community
Kenetra first learned about PEER & WISE through her sister, a 2012 graduate in Industrial Engineering. “She told me about PEER & WISE, and I just started hanging out in the office. I studied there, and eventually, Mrs. Lisa encouraged me to share my story. I would attend tutoring, volunteer at events, and really found a community.”
Those early days gave her the confidence to lean into both her academic and personal interests. “I even worked with Girl UP Greenville, combining my love of cosmetics with hands-on experiments, like making lip scrubs and learning what consumers really look for.”
Defining Moments at Clemson
Like many students, exam weeks tested her stamina—but PEER & WISE became her anchor. “I would go there for the pep talks, the reminders that I could do this,” she says. “The tutors met you exactly where you were. There was no judgment, no shame—just people who wanted to see you succeed.”
One pivotal conversation came when she confided in Mrs. Lisa about her dream of working in cosmetics. At the time, she had a job offer in another industry. “She told me to believe in myself. To go introduce myself to recruiters. To go seek and do. That changed everything for me.”
Gratitude in Action
Looking back, Kenetra is most proud of how PEER & WISE inspired her to give back. “It really cultivated gratitude into practice,” she reflects. “It’s that network that helps you rise.” She also wants students to remember that Clemson is filled with resources: “There is a service for YOU, no matter what you’re trying to achieve. You just have to take advantage of it.”
Building Skills for a Career
The skills Kenetra honed at PEER & WISE now shape her career as a Technical Process Manager in product development. “It built my work ethic, my public speaking, and my networking,” she says. Today, she helps launch new products, delving deep into formulas, ingredients, and the processes that transform an idea into something customers can hold in their hands. “Reading the reviews on products I helped develop is one of the best feelings.”
Joy in the Everyday
In a fast-paced city, Kenetra makes room for what matters most. “Rest is essential,” she says. “I connect with my body, I exercise, I cook. Cooking is creative for me—it’s mindful and it feels like home.”
Her mom’s advice continues to guide her: take risks on yourself. “Do it even with doubt,” Kenetra says. “Keep putting yourself out there. You are always worth betting on.”
From Hollywood, South Carolina, to the heart of New York City, Kenetra Johnson continues to prove just that.
