In a time when you’re working around the clock to finish your classes and research, professional development might sound unimportant and almost impossible. Marcy and Luka, however, in this new installment of the Courage Corner, explain that professional development is an incremental task that starts small. They break down how to navigate your first performance review, set manageable short-term goals, and build authentic professional relationships without the pressure of traditional networking. This conversation makes a daunting subject feel not only achievable, but essential for building a career that aligns with your values and your life.Discover New Study Abroad Opportunities Here:https://studyabroad.ncsu.edu/

Feeling stuck in a campus conflict or overwhelmed by university policy? You're not alone, and there's a confidential resource designed specifically to help. This week, we sit down with Mike Giancola, NC State’s Student Ombuds, to demystify this vital service. Mike discusses how he helps students, faculty, and staff navigate tough situations by offering a neutral perspective, facilitating constructive dialogue, and empowering them with options to find a path forward. If you’ve ever found yourself lost and in need of a helpful guide to provide options, this episode is your essential guide to the Ombuds Office.

Meet with Mike here:

http://go.ncsu.edu/meetingwithmike

This week, Luka sits down with Marcy to discuss his journey in time management, from feeling completely overwhelmed to taking control of his time. He shares the practical strategies that helped him turn things around, from using a simple reminder app to centralize his chaotic schedule to the goal-setting powerpoint that keeps him motivated. Luka gets real about the challenge of saying "no," the importance of separating work from personal time in a hybrid role, and how understanding his "why" fuels his productivity. Tune in for an honest and relatable conversation on managing a stressful schedule, setting boundaries, and making time work for you

This week, Luka sits down with Marcy to tackle a topic that can make even the most confident professional hesitate: networking. Marcy reframes networking, describing it not as transactional schmoozing, but as the courage to build genuine connections. She unveils the reality of the “hidden job market,” where most opportunities are filled through relationships long before a job is ever posted. Together, they explore how to move past the fear of being a bother, where to find potential contacts in the most unexpected places, and how to start a conversation with authentic curiosity. For anyone who’s ever felt shy, nervous, or unsure where to begin, this conversation offers a compassionate and practical guide to building a web of support, learning to see rejection as redirection, and taking that first small step to unlock doors you didn't even know were there.

Use the networking tracking tool here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yneWYDr4IvDbqomjbFwCoLnicT07LREpxL5poyRYxQQ/edit?usp=sharing

In part two of our conversation with Dr. Devin Hubbard, we explore what it really takes to adjust to new surroundings in work and life. He opens up about the value of building a strong network, the underrated power of saying “no,” and the lessons he learned from early teaching missteps. Dr. Hubbard also shares insights on balancing career and family, the challenges students faced during the pandemic, and why the ultimate measure of success is using your skills to make the world better. Tune in for an honest, thoughtful discussion about navigating change, finding confidence, and creating impact no matter where your career leads.

This week, Dr. Devin Hubbard from the UNC/NC State Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering joins the show. He argues that while technical skills are essential, the true differentiators for a successful engineering career are often the professional skills: communication and networking. Dr. Hubbard shares his hands-on methods for teaching these competencies, from a deliberately awkward 30-second pitch exercise to reframing networking as “just meeting people.” He also reveals why cultivating a growth mindset and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable are the ultimate keys to becoming a highly desirable teammate. Tune in for a practical and engaging discussion on building the professional skills that turn a good engineer into an indispensable one.Check Out the BME Grad Podcast Here:https://bme.unc.edu/podcast/

This week, professor, associate department head, mother, and coxswain Katherine Saul joins us to explore the question: How do you integrate a high-powered career with family life? Dr. Saul reflects on the pivotal moments that shape us, from a wall of pictures honoring those who came before to the unexpected gift of building a “found family” network. She offers candid advice on choosing a true partner who values your success as much as their own, navigating decisions about when and how to grow a family, and the importance of protecting your time. Join us this week for an authentic conversation about honoring your whole self, making intentional choices, and building a life where your personal and professional roles don’t just coexist, but synergize.

Too often, graduate students sacrifice rest, nourishment, and connection in pursuit of achievement, only to find themselves overwhelmed and running on empty. In this third installment of the Courage Corner, Luka turns the mic on Marcy, inviting her to share her own self-care practices and the science that backs them. She explores why movement should feel joyful, how gratitude rewires the brain, and why even a simple meal or a walk with a pet can become an act of care. Here, Marcy offers practical strategies drawn from her own life, underscoring that self-care isn’t selfish; it’s what allows you to keep showing up as your best self.

This week, Dr. Amna Shabbir joins Marcy to share her transformative journey from physician to wellness advocate, beginning with the moment she fell off the "hedonic treadmill" of perpetual achievement. She dismantles the myth that we must choose between being extraordinary and caring for our well-being, arguing that ambition and wellness must coexist. Along the way, Dr. Shabbir shares how self compassion is the crucial antidote to that inner critic driving burnout and how impostor “syndrome” isn’t a flaw, but a sign you’re pushing yourself onto new horizons. For anyone who has ever felt the strain of high achievement, this conversation offers a new path forward built on resilience, not just results.

Explore Dr. Kristin Neff Here:

https://self-compassion.org/

See Jennifer Wallace's Never Enough Here:

https://www.jenniferbwallace.com/about-never-enough

What does true career success really look like? This week, host Marcy Bullock is in the guest seat for another episode of the Courage Corner where we dive deep into the invisible force that guides our biggest decisions: our values. Marcy explores how to pinpoint what truly energizes you, moving beyond abstract ideals and gets personal, sharing her own core values like growth, empathy, and responsibility. Marcy describes that abandoning your values induces burnout and leaves you feeling fundamentally "stuck." For students and professionals alike, this episode is a masterclass in aligning your time and goals with what matters most. Learn how to build a life where your calendar reflects your convictions, and discover the “why” and “how” guiding your life.