BCoE Student Hall of Fame 2022: Kailey Clinton

What is your name, age, classification and major?

Kailey Clinton, 22, senior, biomedical engineering

What year did you begin studying at MSU and when is your expected graduation date?

I began in Fall of 2018 and will be graduating May of 2022.

Why did you choose to attend MSU, and why did you choose an engineering field of study?

I chose MSU because it felt like home from the day I came on my first tour. The welcoming atmosphere and friendly people are what make Mississippi State an incredible place. I was drawn to engineering because of the challenge it presented. The whole focus of engineering is to solve real-world problems and contribute to making people’s lives easier.

What are your favorite campus organizations you have become a part of?

As an Ambassador for the Bagley College of Engineering, I meet with prospective engineering students and share my experience at MSU. The other Ambassadors have become my family here at MSU, and I have been so blessed to find my crew of engineers through this organization. As a Programming Staffer in New Maroon Camp, I planned and facilitated a camp geared towards incoming students finding their love for Mississippi State. While on staff, I made life-long friends, met amazing new students, and got to share my love for MSU with rising Bulldogs.

What has been your favorite course you have taken at MSU and why?

Engineering Mechanics I and II centered around solving real world problems and helped me understand how I could apply what I was learning outside of the classroom. Mr. Walters will always be one of my favorite professors because he took the time to invest in his students and show us how we could make a difference through our work.

Which course has been your most challenging at MSU and why? What was something you learned about yourself after taking that course?

Bioinstrumentation I and II were the most challenging courses I took at MSU, but I also learned the most from them. These classes were centered around coding and software, which are not my strong suits. From these classes, I learned to persevere and to continue attempting a problem and critical thinking skills to see multiple ways of achieving the same solution.

What is one thing you have learned, related to engineering, during your time in the Bagley College of Engineering?

The sky is the limit with an engineering degree! Engineers are needed in every market, and there are so many possibilities. From industry, to research, to construction, to supply chain, there is always a need for engineers to optimize systems and find solutions to current problems.

How has MSU and specifically the department of engineering prepared you for professional life after college?

Through my coursework and the Bagley College of Engineering curriculum, I have learned how to solve problems in a unique way. I now know how to approach problems, even when I am not sure how to solve them. These skills will help me tremendously when trying to diagnose and treat patients as a physician in the future.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be attending the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine beginning in Fall 2022.

What will you miss most about MSU after you graduate?

While I am happy to be graduating, leaving MSU comes with many challenges because I know firsthand what all I am leaving behind. I will miss the Bulldog family the most: the friendly faces of students, professors, and faculty members. The people of MSU make campus feel like a place where I belong.