By: Beth Anne Johnson
When Preston thinks back on his Clemson story, he can trace it to a single moment—before he was even a student.
“My mom and I were on campus visiting my brother, Kendal, when I met Mrs. Lisa. She already knew who I was and told me about PEER & WISE. She invested in me before I even stepped on campus, and that was really special,” he remembers. Preston also credits Mrs. Serita, as a lifelong mentor and a community leader from his hometown, with showing him what it means to serve others.
Those introductions set the stage for Preston’s Clemson Experience. Through the PEER WISE Experience (PWE)—even though it was online at the time—he began building friendships. “It was super nice to meet folks virtually, and even better when I saw them in person for the first time. Some of us are still friends today.”
Finding His Place at Clemson
Like so many Tigers, Preston says some of the most memorable moments came from simply being part of the community. “Experiencing Clemson in all its grandeur—sports, the cheers, the way the whole community comes together—that unity is something you never forget.”
Welcome Week was another milestone. Even though his first year looked a little different, he encourages current students to show up, no matter what. “Even if it’s your second year, keep going. You never know who you’ll meet or what connections you’ll make.”
Through PEER & WISE, Preston discovered opportunities to lead and serve. He remembers helping run the LEGO competition during Next Engineers, working STEM Day, and serving on student panels. “I loved seeing younger students’ curiosity—watching how their brains worked when they tinkered with something new. It reminded me why I chose engineering in the first place.”
Challenges that Shaped Him
One of the accomplishments Preston is most proud of is learning to code in MATLAB, something that didn’t come easily at first. “It was tough. I used the tutoring service from 7 to 10 every night to get the hang of it,” he says. “But once I figured it out, it gave me confidence. Later in my senior design project, and even now in my career, I can use that skill to solve real problems.”
If he could change one thing about his Clemson journey, it would be how he approached the career fair. “I had my list of target companies, and I stuck to it. This kind of research is important, but looking back, I wish I had branched out and talked to more employers. You never know what opportunities you might find.”
Building Skills for What’s Next
Preston credits PEER & WISE with sharpening the skills that set him apart after graduation. “Planning, organizing, public speaking—those soft skills matter. They’re what make you stand out when it’s time to step into the professional world.”
Listening to guest speakers, working in groups, and learning to lead with empathy also shaped his outlook. “Hearing other people’s stories taught me a lot about understanding where others are coming from. That’s something I use every day.”
Life Now
Today, Preston works in Charlotte as a Junior Reliability Engineer with JLL, where he focuses on asset validation and maintenance systems for various client accounts. “It’s exciting to see how the concepts I learned in school translate into real-world problem solving.”
When he’s not at work, Preston makes time for the people who matter most. “Family comes first. I love being able to spend time with them and finding community here in Charlotte.”
He also finds joy in watching his older brother Kendal thrive in his own career journey. “Seeing Kendal succeed has been incredible. He’s a tremendous networker, and I’ve been able to learn from the way he makes decisions and tries new things.”
Words of Advice
For current and future Tigers, Preston keeps it simple: “Try new things. Push yourself to go to one more event on campus. Go by yourself if you need to. You’ll be surprised by the connections you make and how much you’ll grow.”
Ready to experience the same award-winning program as Preston? Drop by Freeman 158 and meet the team!
