Engineering Pack Pod

On this week’s episode, Marcy is joined by the first female professor of civil engineering at Duke University, Dr. Laura Dalton. Dr. Dalton shares her unconventional journey—from graphic design to groundbreaking research—and how adaptability, perseverance, and clear communication shaped her path. She opens up about balancing intense dedication with self-care, setting boundaries as both a mentor an...

This week, Dean Jim Pfaendtner joins Marcy to discuss the human side of academic leadership, from navigating self-doubt to building meaningful mentorship connections. They explore how rejection and setbacks can become growth fuel, why seeking help is a professional strength, and how to cultivate authentic support networks without formal "mentor" labels. Whether you're struggling with advisor relat...

This week, Dr. Meagan Kittle Autry (Dr. KA) joins Marcy to discuss the soft skills, or rather hard skills, that engineers need to thrive in the landscape of today. Join us as we discuss how communication, presentation, and understanding are fundamental to the work of all disciplines–including engineering. Dr. KA also shares how just a few easy changes can make your writing more clear and understan...

Join Marcy and Kelly Rownd, Director of Career Readiness at NC State’s Graduate School, as they tackle the realities of preparing to enter the world of industry and how unexpected conversations can reshape your trajectory and broaden your horizons. Learn how NC State’s Accelerate to Industry (A2I) program bridges the gap between academic research and diverse career paths and why networking doesn’t...

Today, Marcy and Dr Kara Peters dive deep into many of the problems that students, researchers, and even faculty face today. Dr. Peters reminds us that even when we struggle, support, communication, and understanding are vital--and that we're all human. Together, they explore what it means to navigate the uncertainty that comes with graduate research: questioning your own abilities, learning w...

In this episode, Marcy and Dr. Danny Smyl kick off with a 60-second elevator pitch before diving into the future of structural health monitoring. Dr. Smyl reveals how his military background honed a disciplined problem-solving mindset and shares key lessons that bridge research and practice. As an NC State alumnus, he highlights the university’s unique strengths and offers tips for students to max...

Join Marcy and Ken Gregory as they explore what it truly means to “leave it better than you found it.” Ken opens up about a major system failure he helped recover from and the resilience lessons it taught him. He reflects on the single piece of mentor advice that’s guided his career and reveals surprising insights he’s gained through reverse mentoring. Ken also walks us through his trusty career-n...

Join host Marcy and special guest Dr. Joel Ducoste as they explore the power of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for NC State engineering PhD students. In this episode, you’ll learn how IDPs boost career readiness and personal growth, discover the essential elements of a truly effective plan, and hear Dr. Ducoste’s tips for keeping your goals flexible without losing focus. Plus, find out how fa...

Join host Marcy Bullock , Director of Professional Development for doctoral engineering students at NC State University, as she kicks off the very first episode of Engineering Pack Pod ! This podcast is all about real stories of resilience, career journeys, and professional growth from students, alumni, and industry professionals in the Wolfpack community. In this episode, Marcy shares: Why succes...