Engineering Pack Pod

In this episode of  Engineering Pack Pod , executive advisor and author  David Bates  shares what leadership really feels like behind the scenes; the pressure, loneliness, burnout, and responsibility that come with leading people and organizations. Drawing from over 30 years of executive experience, David explores curiosity, trust, perfectionism, and the importance of building leadership that last...

In this episode of  Tiny Wins , Anna Bona shares her journey through the challenges of PhD life, including burnout, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed by research. What started as a simple decision to attend a gym class became a turning point,  helping her break out of constant stress, improve her mental health, and become more productive. Anna reminds us that sometimes the smallest step can create...

In this episode of Engineering Pack Pod, Dr. Will Kirschenman breaks down artificial intelligence in a practical and accessible way. From chatbots like ChatGPT to the emerging world of agentic AI, he explains how these tools are transforming research, productivity, and decision-making. He also shares insights on ethical use, building trust with AI systems, and why curiosity is essential in navigat...

Catch us this week for another episode of Tiny Wins, discussing real grad school challenges that sometimes appear invisible from the outside. We are joined by current first-year PhD student, Allison File, as she shares her Win of adapting quickly to the changes of starting a new program on a new campus. Allison joined a well-established research group in Mechanical Engineering here at NC State, an...

On this episode of Engineering Pack Pod, Marcy is joined by long-time friend and colleague–Dr Maria Reyes–to discuss living life true to your values. Once a postdoctoral scientific researcher and currently a stay-at-home mom, Maria shares her dedication to creating an identity apart from science, yet authentic to her truest desires. Holding a PhD in Biochemistry from NC State, Maria is steadfast o...

In this episode of Tiny Wins, first year Electrical Engineering PhD student (and current Smooth Sailing participant) Lisa Sebastian is on the mic! Lisa shares all the juicy details about the reality of a first-semester grad student, including navigating the transition from a smaller undergrad program to the hustle and bustle of NC State. Lisa's story and tips highlight the importance of establ...

In this episode, Maria Crockett shares how building authentic relationships can shape your career path and open doors to new opportunities. From transitioning out of higher education to leading early career talent at SAS, Maria highlights the importance of using your strengths, leveraging campus resources, and gaining real-world experience. She also breaks down how students can stand out, build co...

In this Tiny Wins episode, Farsia Chowdhury shares her journey from Bangladesh to NC State and the challenges of adjusting to life as an international PhD student. From navigating independence for the first time to overcoming homesickness, Farsia reflects on how small wins—like building community through Smooth Sailing and completing her first journal paper—helped her regain confidence and momentu...

This week, Dr Jackie Olich offers insights on how engineers and scientists can translate technical brilliance into real-world impact through self-awareness, storytelling, and purpose. Jackie is multitalented and shares unique perspectives from the intersection of being an entrepreneur, author, speaker, educator, and administrator.

In this Tiny Wins episode, Olivier Retourne shares how overcoming self-doubt and taking the leap to apply for a PhD changed his path. He reflects on imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the importance of reaching out for support. His message is simple: sometimes the biggest step forward is getting out of your own way.

This episode of the  BME Grad Podcast  features  Marcy Bullock , Director of Professional Development at NC State’s College of Engineering and host of the  Engineering Pack Pod . We dive deep into  career development, self‑awareness, navigating transitions, imposter feelings, and generational dynamics in the workplace .

Hey Wolfpack! We are quickly approaching that point in the semester where work can easily start to feel out of control...this week, we were lucky enough to sit down with Kirstie Queener, a Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate and fellow member of the Pack. In under 20 minutes, Kirstie highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between ambition and self-care. Tune in for firsthand t...

Welcome to our new segment Tiny Wins where we celebrate the small steps that don’t make a résumé, but absolutely move your life forward. Biweekly we will focus on progress over perfection, because confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build through action. In our first Tiny Win episode, Julian Cohen shares how focusing on your strengths and celebrating small progress can build...

This week, Marcy sits down with NC State's own Dr. Kanton Reynolds for a discussion about personal experiences along one's journey! With anecdotes from an industry career at General Motors/IBM/Lenovo, traveling abroad, and current ISE faculty position, Dr. Reynolds highlights specific ways he makes the most of his experiences and allows his past to inform the present. As you are growing al...

SAS leader Brooke Huckabee is back to discuss how values show up when things get hard. Brooke shares practical leadership lessons on managing what’s in your control, using the power of the pause, and navigating the “messy middle” that comes with setbacks, transitions, and growth. Through personal stories—from career pivots to injuries—she explains why pulling back can sometimes be exactly what’s n...

In this episode of Engineering Pack Pod, host Marcy Bullock welcomes NC State alumna Brooke Huckabee for an energizing conversation on leadership, personal brand, and what it really takes to build credibility early in your career. As Head of Global Revenue Enablement at SAS, Brooke shares how her weekly Friday emails to her team evolved into a powerful leadership framework: the Seven C’s of person...

This week on Engineering Pack Pod, host Marcy Bullock talks with NC State alumna Sydney Russell about confidence, curiosity, and why “networking” doesn’t have to feel so intimidating. Sydney reflects on her journey from college advising and graduate school to working in higher education technology, sharing how navigating uncertainty and not always knowing what she wanted to be “when she grew up”,...

This week, Marcy is joined by NC State and Smooth Sailing alumna Dr. Rahaf Abdullah to discuss the importance of mindset in personal, academic, and professional transitions. Rahaf recounts her various transitions–moving to a new country, interning, applying for jobs, and relocating for full-time work–sharing how her mindset and personal goals give her the courage to continue growing on her journey...

Marcy shares her word of the year and offers inspiration to begin 2026 with intention and gratitude.

In this Courage Corner conversation, Marcy sits down with Dr. Rita Renee, a TEDx speaker, author, and empowerment coach who helps women step out of the shadows and share their stories with confidence. Together, they explore what it means to be authentic in a world filled with comparison, fear, and imposterism, and they discuss how community, collaboration, and small steps forward can spark real tr...

In this Courage Corner episode, Luka and Marcy break down what core career skills are and why they matter just as much as your technical expertise. They explore how understanding your strengths, gaps, and growth areas helps you tell your story with confidence, and they share practical ways to identify which skills are most important for your goals. Through self-assessment tools and campus resource...

This week, Dr. Emily McCain joins us to talk about what it really means to explore your options as a student and young professional. Emily shares how taking a gap year shaped her confidence, how studying abroad expanded her perspective, and why beginning college as “deciding” can be a healthy and productive choice. She also reflects on finding the right academic culture, discovering what you truly...

In this Courage Corner episode, we dive into one of the most important parts of the grad school journey: building a strong, healthy relationship with your advisor. Luka sits down with Marcy Bullock to explore how communication styles, cultural backgrounds, and personal habits all shape the advisor-student dynamic. Together, they unpack how to build rapport, set shared goals, navigate conflict with...

Join us this week as NC State student Victoria Canala-Echevarria shares her story of leaving Ecuador and finding her place at NC State through thrilling traditions such as cheering at football games and rushing the bell tower. She opens up about navigating cultural challenges, the importance of asking for help, and discovering new joys like Howling Cow ice cream and seeing snow for the first time....

How do you get what you’re worth in a career position? The answer is the topic in this week’s installment of the Courage Corner: Salary Negotiation. Tune in to hear Marcy describe exactly when, why, and how you should negotiate a salary, including helpful resources to know what you’re worth. Along the way, you’ll learn that there’s much more than just money when it comes to offer negotiations and...