ESRA newsletter 15 March 2026

Volunteer Highlight: Jessica McCarty

This week Jessica McCarty, ESRA’s Media and Public Relations Lead, was recognized on ESRA’s social media. This is what they wrote:

Jessica McCarty has volunteered with ESRA for a year and a half as the Media and Public Relations Lead. She was drawn to the organization because her son competed with the Clemson University Rocket Engineering Team, and through ESRA, she found a meaningful way to support not just her son, but the dreams of students and teams pursuing rocketry and engineering.

One of her favorite memories was being able to witness her son’s final collegiate rocket launch and seeing his team walk across the stage to accept a trophy for the first time. While celebrating all teams is special, sharing these milestone moments as a parent made the experience especially meaningful and unforgettable for her.

For Jessica, volunteering with ESRA allows her to use and develop her skills while doing something she loves. She believes people should volunteer because it’s a chance to grow personally, contribute their talents beyond daily routines, and actively help shape the future of engineering.

Jessica was quoted: “We all have hobbies and skills that we use outside of our day to day, being an ESRA volunteer allows me to hone those skills and build new ones. I get to do what I love while actively shaping the future of engineering.”