Robin Batsuli reflects on his transition from NC State to the tech industry, sharing how communication, curiosity, and customer-focused thinking have shaped his success. From navigating career changes to balancing growth and wellbeing, Robin explains why technical skills alone aren't enough, you must also learn to connect with people.

Credits:

"Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Kevin Noriega shares how he navigated the pressure of proving himself in graduate school, overcame self-doubt, and discovered that confidence is built through small, meaningful wins. From leaning on peers to celebrating progress, Kevin reminds us that success comes one step at a time.

Credits:

"Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Craig Prince reflects on his journey from engineering to community-building, navigating burnout, identity shifts, and the pressure to do it all. Through those challenges, he learned one of his most important lessons: to slow down, let go, and be at ease with where he is.

Credits:

"Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

José Urbina shares his journey of adjusting to a new country, a new marriage, and a demanding PhD. What began as a clear plan quickly became overwhelming, but through support, resilience, and persistence, he learned to adapt and grow in ways he never expected.

Credits:

"Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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 lasts without losing yourself in the process. 

Credits:

"Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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 the biggest shift.

Credits:

"Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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 navigating this rapidly evolving space.

Credits:

"Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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, and attributes her seamless transition to a few "simple" tricks: asking for help, acting intentionally, and valuing progress over perfection! She also discusses how a community of other first-year students helped to normalize feelings of "imposter phenomenon."

Credits:

"Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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 on her journey of courage, brilliance, and humanitarian impact. She shares both the difficulty and the importance of being honest with yourself, acknowledging when your priorities have shifted, and preparing to face the outside noise. Listen up & learn what it takes to sign your own permission slip for a drastic change of course.

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 establishing a routine, building new connections, and overcoming perfectionism as the first steps to a win in your new environment!