“The time you spend at Tarleton and on campus outside of the classroom is just as important as the time spent getting an education. Commit to making Stephenville your new home, I promise it’s a good one.”
Sarah Darby
Tarleton State Alumna, Class of 2019
Deciding where to attend college, whether it be a two-year institution or a university, can be a bit overwhelming. With over 100 degree programs offered at Tarleton State, there is a little bit of something for everybody.
However, for Stephenville native, Sarah Darby, her Tarleton State journey started with a bit of doubt regarding whether staying in Stephenville to further her education was the right move.
After spending her entire life in the small town, attending Tarleton felt limiting. This feeling drove Sarah to apply to a Texas State University located in San Marcos, Texas.
“I believed that to truly experience college life and earn a meaningful degree, I needed to step outside my familiar hometown. In my first semester at Texas State, I felt well-prepared: my older sister was a senior there, three of my closest high school friends joined me, and I became part of a wonderful sorority. Despite this support, I found myself rarely leaving my dorm room except for mandatory classes and sorority activities. Despite the backing of loved ones, I struggled with feelings of depression,” Darby shared.
After doing some much needed soul searching, Darby found herself back in Stephenville where she decided to try her luck as a Tarleton State Texan.
“Towards the end of that fall semester, I decided to transfer to Tarleton. In my first semester there [at Tarleton], I saw the chance for a fresh beginning to embrace the college experience I had always wanted. I landed a job somewhat near campus with a lot of other girls who attended TSU, reconnected with childhood friends, and later joined clubs that opened up a whole new world beyond my familiar hometown. The memories of growing up in Stephenville are vastly different from those I made at Tarleton. Attending Tarleton, in a way, helped me to break apart from the self-imposed expectations and realize that my success was solely linked to my own efforts,” Darby said.
About a year or two after making Tarleton State her home, Sarah began getting involved on campus.
“I found that in each organization I became a part of, I encountered passionate individuals who expressed their affection and loyalty for the university. Their enthusiasm consistently inspired me to strive to embody the spirit of Tarleton more fully. The impact these organizations had on my future is something I reflect on daily,” Darby shared.
Sarah became a proud member of Delta Zeta with the intention to build her resume with philanthropic experience and professional skills, learn more about email etiquette and work alongside like minded individuals. In addition, Sarah knew that she would be able to make lifelong friends which felt daunting when she transferred.
After dropping from her previous sorority and transferring to Tarleton State, it was important for Sarah to find a place where she truly belonged.
“I felt the pressure to make this college transfer work, and meeting and joining Delta Zeta was a weight off of my shoulders. For the first time since graduating high school and feeling secure in who I had been, I felt that the future wouldn’t be too intimidating after all. In Delta Zeta, I made best friends I still love today, I became the Vice President of Membership, I lived my best sorority life, and still learned how to BCC a person on an email,” Darby said.
Aside from being an active member in Delta Zeta, Darby also became heavily involved as a Tarleton Transition Mentors (TTM). After completing a 10-week leadership training, Sarah was fully-equipped to lead two Duck Camps the following summer, including a camp dedicated to transfer students.
During her time as a TTM, Sarah was able to boost her confidence as well as strengthen her leadership skills. After completing an essay and interview, she was chosen to serve on the Leadership team alongside nine of her peers.
“The following year was spent with a lively, dedicated group of individuals performing various tasks for the department. Although my time spent as a TTM in the organization taught me valuable leadership and situational lessons which led to overall growth, my professional experience was also expanded when I was employed by the office of New Student Programs. I helped the team market different events including learning seminars, orientation, and Duck Camps. With the trust of Mike and Kristy, this was my first social media experience and the foundation of the career I hold now,” Darby said.
In 2019, Darby graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Digital Media Studies with a minor in Interior Design.
She now works as the Global Social Media and Influencer Marketing Manager for the Dickies workwear brand. In her role, Sarah oversees all of the company’s social media platforms, manages influencer relations and ensures that the brand’s heritage is organically and authentically perceived by the audience.
“With a 102-year history, we are trusted by hard working Americans, tradespeople, and blue-collar workers, as well as embraced by subcultures like hip-hop and skateboarding across generations. Each seasonal campaign involves months of preparation to align product launches with audience preferences on social media. I play a role in shaping the brand’s perception by curating diverse content, maintaining our brand voice in responses, and staying on top of social media trends,” Darby shared.
Her experience in digital media coupled with her proficiency in Adobe suite programs has helped her further succeed in her career.
“The Visual Arts and Design Department at Tarleton State challenged me by having me present and defend my work, networking with individuals with diverse passions, and applying my education across various mediums. I am grateful to have been part of a department that appreciates the importance of creativity,” Darby said.
“I have always been infatuated with pop culture and there has been no shortage of iconic moments while working at Dickies. The first week I was there, Kayne West wore our Eisenhower jacket to the Met Gala. Since then, we have done collaborations, customizations, styling, and gifting for celebrities who to their core love the brand and want to represent it for their own unique reason. What I love most about working at Dickies is its universal appeal – cherished for its durability, timeless design, and cost-efficient retailers. It’s the brand your Grandpa wore while farming, the choice of your favorite late-night server, and the trusted uniform for lifesaving nurses. Despite the diverse wearers and red-carpet appearances, Dickies’ influence stems from the admiration for hardworking Americans who dress to tackle each day. It’s a brand with a special place in many hearts, and I love being a part of sharing its story,” Darby said.
Since graduating, Sarah has had great success in both her personal and professional life. Her patience is one of Sarah’s greatest personal accomplishments.
“Starting with a job that provided valuable lessons on navigating the workforce, I made sure to learn from my early mistakes before pursuing my dream job. Moving 60 miles to Fort Worth allowed me to stay near loved ones while gaining independence, which later gave me the courage to relocate to San Diego, California. It didn’t have to happen all at once for me to know that eventually, it would. I take pride in giving myself the time needed to discover my path,” Darby said.
“For a professional accomplishment, although it hasn’t quite happened yet, I am incredibly proud of the community I have been able to build with Instagram which is nearing 1,000,000 followers (follow @dickies, thanks). In the past two years, I have nearly doubled who engages with our content with the collaborative help from my team. By combining viral moments such as our Sydney Sweeny x Ford collection with our everyday strategic pillars, our audience has grown to have a shared respect for hard work. I have also been able to have some incredible experiences, my favorite being able to travel to London to celebrate our 100th anniversary and attend our Vice documentary premiere, Made to Last,” Darby shared.
Although her journey to Tarleton State was untraditional, there is no question that Sarah made the most of her time on campus.
“College is what you make it, and Tarleton is no exception. The provided opportunities for you at this school are there for you to take and make your own, do not take that for granted. The traditions are genuinely fun and captivating, you can find your friends somewhere in the student body by participating in what you find interesting and engaging, and the staff and instructors will support you if you take the time to care. I encourage you to discover why it’s the best-kept secret of Texas,” Darby shared.
For more information about transferring to Tarleton State, visit https://www.tarleton.edu/admissions/transfer/.