Engineering Pack Pod

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.

This week, Dr. Maria Mayorga joins Marcy to share her insights as an NC State professor and operations research expert, focusing on the realities of academia from unexpected PhD challenges to leading impactful work in colorectal cancer screening. After relocating mid-degree to continue her research,, Dr. Mayorga learned to navigate rejection with perspective. She shares how partnership shaped her career, balancing a cross-country move with a newborn and a two-career household, and offers candid advice for students struggling with feedback gaps, emphasizing the importance of asking what you’re doing well, not just what needs improvement. For anyone facing setbacks or transitions, Dr. Mayorga’s story proves that progress thrives on adaptability, support, and the occasional dance break.

In this special solo episode, Marcy kicks off a new mini-series called Courage Corner featuring bite-sized deep dives into essential career skills. Today’s focus: interviews. Whether you’re prepping for industry, academia, or anything in between, Marcy covers everything from crafting a standout elevator pitch and navigating different interview formats, to staying calm under pressure and making a memorable first impression. She also shares insider tips on how NC State resources can give you an edge, how to balance professionalism with authenticity, and her go-to list of thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. If you’ve ever felt nervous before an interview, this episode has the tools to help you walk in with clarity and confidence.

Make the most of the NCSU Clothing Closet here:

https://careers.dasa.ncsu.edu/about/wolfpack-styled-professional-clothing-closet/

This week, Dr. Anita Vila joins Marcy to share her journey from NC State classrooms to leading healthcare innovation at Amazon and McKesson. With 15 years of building patient-focused tech, Dr. Vila gets real about the uncomfortable but necessary parts of growth: leaving academia without a safety net, spotting the difference between "this is hard" and "this is wrong," and the importance of trust in leadership positions. She breaks down the unspoken trade-offs between academia and industry, how she navigated cross-country career moves with a significant other (twice), and why those moments of feeling out of your depth often signal you're expanding into meaningful growth. For PhDs weighing job options or anyone facing a career crossroads, Dr. Vila’s story is a masterclass in turning uncertainty into momentum.