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Professional Development for Graduate Students

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Engineering Pack Pod

Engineering Pack Pod is a podcast that celebrates the resilience and triumphs of the NC State community. Hosted by Marcy Bullock, it features inspiring stories of students, alumni, and professionals who have faced challenges and achieved success. By normalizing the struggles of being human, the podcast aims to provide encouragement, guidance, and a sense of connection. Whether you’re a student striving to overcome obstacles or an alum looking for inspiration, these authentic conversations showcase the power of perseverance and growth. Tune in on Spotify to discover how the Wolfpack tackles life’s hurdles and comes out stronger.

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Events

Webinars and In-Person

Developing Core Career Skills | June 9, 2026

June 9, 2026
1:00 p.m.


This virtual lunch and learn workshop empowers PhD engineering students to assess and enhance their career skill sets. Participants will self-evaluate and seek feedback on their top three strengths, aligning them with industry/academic demands. They will identify skill gaps and create a learning plan to stay competitive. The session emphasizes adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and other key competencies essential for success in academia, industry, and beyond.

Registration

Relationship Building | May 25, 2026

May 25, 2026
12 noon

Intentional Relationship Building is a live webinar that will help you navigate the critical relationships that define your doctoral journey. Explore the importance of intentional relationship building and discover the benefits it can bring to your academic and professional life. Learn how to assemble your personal “board of directors,” establish clear expectations, and gracefully receive and act on feedback. We’ll also tackle setting healthy boundaries and fostering collaborative partnerships with your advisor and committee. This will not be recorded.
Register Here

Resources

Midweek Momentum

  1. Global Job Search
  2. Thought Provoking Questions To Ask Your Job Interviewer
  3. Questions For Your Advisor
  4. Strong Week Plan
  5. LinkedIn Hack
  6. Core Career Motivators
  7. Achievement and Enjoyment
  8. Job Search Action Plan

Previous Events

Navigating a PhD

NC State graduate students all seated at round tables in a large conference room with off-white walls. A large screen is on the left and a smaller one in the upper right.

Taking place in January 2025, our first professional development workshop sold out and was a huge success. This engaging three-hour session is designed to help engineering PhD students thrive by aligning their academic journey with their personal values and purpose. Participants developed a clear understanding of your “why” to stay motivated and focused. They learned to navigate timelines, milestones, and critical processes with confidence. Stay tuned for future semester session offerings which will be posted here once dates are secured.

Connecting with your Advisor and Committee: Relationship Building

Marcy Bullock, left, speaks during a graduate student professional development session to a group seated at room length tables.

Set your course for success with Connecting with your Advisor and Committee: Intentional Relationship Building, part of our Smooth Sailing series!

This engaging two-hour session will help you navigate the critical relationships that define your doctoral journey. Explore the importance of intentional relationship building and discover the benefits it can bring to your academic and professional life. Learn how to assemble your personal “board of directors,” establish clear expectations, and gracefully receive and act on feedback.

We’ll also tackle setting healthy boundaries and fostering collaborative partnerships with your advisor and committee. Featuring a panel of seasoned doctoral students, this session is packed with real-world insights to keep your journey on course.

Watch session

Identifying and Developing Core Career Skills

This virtual workshop empowers PhD engineering students to assess and enhance their career skill sets. Participants will self-evaluate and seek feedback on their top three strengths, aligning them with industry demands. Through guided research, they will identify skill gaps and create a lifelong learning plan to stay competitive.

The session emphasizes adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and other key competencies essential for success in academia, industry, and beyond.

Watch workshop

PhD Power Board: Building Your Personal Advisory Team for Success

This virtual lunch and learn workshop is designed for engineering PhD students to strategically assemble and leverage their own “Personal Board of Directors” to navigate their academic and professional journey with clarity and confidence.

Watch workshop

About

Marcy Bullock
Director of Professional Development

Marcy Bullock serves as the Director of Professional Development for doctoral students in the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University. In this role, she designs and delivers programs that equip students with the skills, resources, and support needed to excel in graduate school and successfully transition into their professional careers. Through workshops, and strategic career development initiatives, Marcy is committed to empowering students to thrive both academically and professionally. Marcy Bullock is ready to support all Engineering PhDs as they navigate the journey. Check out her podcast. Also on YouTube!

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