Sarah Clark

How would you describe your college experience?

My college experience has been very non-traditional! I originally started at MTSU in fall of 2000, but I only completed one semester before starting a different career. I returned to MTSU part-time, taking a few classes over the years, until I finally returned to full-time studies in fall of 2018. I graduated with a BS in Biology in May, 2021, over two decades from when I first started college! I was not ready to leave MTSU yet, so I immediately returned and started working toward a Master’s degree in Biology.

When did you know that you wanted to major in a STEM discipline?

I struggled to decide between Biology and Animal Science as a major when I returned to school in 2018. My primary goal at that time was to fulfill all the prerequisites required for application to the Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Tennessee. A degree in Biology covered most of the necessary classes for that goal, while a minor in Science allowed me to take the remaining prerequisite classes. In the end, I decided that research was the path for me, although I feel great knowing that I have the background knowledge to take my learning, and my career, in whichever direction I choose.

What would you tell a middle or high school girl about careers in STEM?

I would say that it is okay to not know precisely where you want to end up, career-wise. It is a good thing to enjoy the process and keep an open mind when it comes to different opportunities. There are so many different paths to take in science that you may not be aware of yet, so do not be afraid to get outside of your comfort zone and learn something new. You may find that you have a passion that you did not know existed before! I started school with the idea of becoming an equine veterinarian, but I am now researching evolutionary biology of fish. It is not where I thought I would be, but I am exactly where I want to be.

What should middle and high school girls be doing to prepare themselves for college and a STEM careers?

This is a tricky question for me because I took such a long and winding path to becoming a scientist. I graduated high school a year early, and I was incredibly young when I started college. I realized very quickly that I was feeling lost. I had rushed through some of my teenage/high school experiences, in a hurry to feel independent. I overwhelmed myself by focusing solely on the future, instead of focusing on what it would take to get there. I would suggest that girls take their time in high school, focusing on the present. It is okay to let the present experiences you have shape the decisions you make about your future. Do not be afraid to change your mind about your major, for example, if you realize you have an interest in something new. Now is the time to explore and be curious. And if you, like me, decide that you need a career change 15 years (or more) into your career, that is okay, too! 

What advice do you have for teachers and counselors who are assisting students prepare for a STEM major and career?

Encourage students to reach out to people who are working in the area in which the student is interested. I am interested in research, for example, so I have reached out to multiple professors at different universities who are doing research I find interesting. Some utterly amazing experiences have come from this type of interaction, for me and for others. People are usually incredibly happy to share their passion with other passionate people. There are so many different careers in STEM, it can be challenging to realize how many options there are if you do not spend time looking. I am still finding out about different jobs and career opportunities that I never knew existed in biology.

What career advice would you give to girls if you only have two minutes?

Life is too short to not do what makes you happy. If you find you are not happy or not fulfilled by your career, do not be afraid to make a change! It took years for me to work up the courage to leave my career, but I have not regretted it for a single second. It is never too late to follow your passion.