Engineering Pack Pod

Olivia Holbrook, an NC State environmental engineering alum and graduate student in Ocean and Resource Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, shares her unconventional path from graduation to graduate school. She reflects on taking time to discover what truly interested her, working in the service industry, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building confidence by trusting her instincts. Olivia also discusses her research designing low-cost ocean instruments that make scientific research more accessible while encouraging students to embrace uncertainty and recognize that growth rarely follows a straight line.

Credits:

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

Dan Black, Global Talent Strategy Leader at EY, shares why the best careers aren't built by following a perfect plan. They're built through curiosity, adaptability, and staying true to your values. Drawing on more than 30 years at EY, Dan discusses career agility, communication, emotional intelligence, and why finding the right cultural fit matters more than chasing the perfect job.

Credits:

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

Industrial-organizational psychologist Dr. Wanda Pemberton joins Engineering Pack Pod to share practical strategies for building confidence, increasing visibility, and navigating change in the workplace. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in STEM environments, she discusses how to recognize and use your strengths, seek meaningful feedback, communicate with intention, and determine whether you are being celebrated or merely tolerated at work. Dr. Pemberton also explores burnout, the importance of rest, career transitions, and why growth is a process—and you are already enough.

Credits:

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

Abraham Michel shares how leaving home, starting a Ph.D., and navigating the unknown left him feeling overwhelmed and isolated. By reaching out to advisors, connecting with peers, and treating graduate school like a marathon instead of a sprint, he discovered that asking for support is one of the most powerful steps toward building confidence.

Credits:

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

Engineering Pack Pod is proud to share this special conversation featuring Marcy Bullock as a guest on Success Reimagined with Dr. Amna Shabbir.

In this episode, Marcy discusses the importance of resilience, student success, leadership, and supporting others through life's challenges. Through authentic stories and practical insights, this conversation explores how growth often comes from embracing adversity and building meaningful connections.

This episode originally appeared on Success Reimagined with Dr. Amna Shabbir and is shared here with permission.

Listen to the original episode:
https://youtu.be/9x-H15Tfd24

Learn more about Dr. Amna Shabbir:

• Website: https://dramnashabbir.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrAmnaShabbir

Dr. Randolph Brooks is the former assistant director of outreach, NC State Counseling Center. This episode was recorded while he was still employed with NC State. Dr. Brooks shares practical strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and the pressures of student life. From breathing techniques and grounding exercises to building routines and focusing on what you can control, this conversation reminds students that wellness is personal, intentional, and essential for success.

Credits:

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

Leila Bonakdar reflects on her transition from industry back to graduate school, sharing the challenges of changing identities, overcoming self-doubt, and learning to embrace uncertainty. Through Smooth Sailing and the support of a growing community, she discovered that asking questions and not having all the answers is an important part of the Ph.D. journey.

Credits:

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

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/