Engineering Pack Pod

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 transformation. Dr. Renee opens up about her own journey of healing and courage, and she shares how focusing on legacy can guide your path through uncertainty. This episode offers an inspiring reminder that your voice matters and that you are closer to your purpose than you think.See more of Dr. Renee Here:https://drritarenee.com/powerhouse-unmute

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 resources, they offer simple, actionable strategies for developing the habits and abilities that will support you in any career path. Whether you are unsure where to start or ready to sharpen your toolkit, this conversation provides clear guidance for building the skills that truly move you forward.

Here is the tool Marcy mentions.

Check out NCSU Linkedin Learning Here

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 want to do, balancing life and career, and choosing between industry and academia. If you’re still figuring out your direction, this episode offers practical reassurance and honest insight into building a path that fits you.Check out Study Abroad opportunities here:https://studyabroad.ncsu.edu/

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 confidence, and adapt to different working styles. Marcy also offers practical guidance on growing a broader professional network and reminds us why meaningful relationships don’t just happen, they’re built with intention. Whether you're just starting your program or looking to strengthen your personal board of directors, this episode offers grounded wisdom to help you thrive personally, academically, and professionally.

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. Victoria also shares valuable insights for new students on building a community and making the most of the college experience. Join us for an inspiring story about finding courage and connection far from home.

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 how even in positions with a fixed salary below your expectations, you still have other ways of negotiating. Tune in to hear exactly what negotiations should look like and how to start them off.Use these great resources to know what you're worth:https://apps.oirp.ncsu.edu/pgem/index.cfm?action=main.summaryhttps://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/index.htmhttps://www.payscale.com/research/US/Jobhttps://www.naceweb.org/

In this episode, Rob Drew, Senior Manager of IT at Red Hat and NC State alum, joins us to talk about what it truly means to lead and mentor with purpose. He shares lessons in resilience, navigating change, and building trust within teams, along with insights on balancing work and happiness. Rob also discusses the importance of transparency, listening, and self-awareness in leadership, plus how tools like the SBI (Situation–Behavior–Impact) model can make feedback more effective. Whether you’re leading others or growing your own career, this episode offers grounded, practical wisdom for becoming a more thoughtful leader.

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