John Chamberlain knows a thing or two about pressure. After eight years as a nuclear surface warfare officer in the Navy, he transitioned to a demanding project manager role at Duke Energy, overseeing critical projects at power plants across North Carolina.
From control cabinet installations to turbine replacements, Chamberlain navigates the complex world of engineering, bringing together diverse teams and solving intricate challenges. While his military background provided a solid technical foundation, he recognized the need to expand his managerial skills to accelerate his career.
“While my military and nuclear power experience provided a strong foundation in leadership and engineering, I felt that a Master of Engineering Management degree would provide greater perspective and insight into the process and challenges faced by engineering-focused organizations,” he explained.
Choosing the NC State Online Master of Engineering Management
To meet this challenge, Chamberlain enrolled in the NC State Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program in January of 2024.
This flexible, online master’s degree blends technical problem-solving with leadership and organizational strategy, equipping professionals to effectively manage engineering teams and projects. Chamberlain was drawn to the MEM degree at NC State, because of its stellar reputation in engineering and its online format.
The master’s degree program also offered a unique benefit for a nuclear surface warfare officer like Chamberlain. University policy allows nuclear-trained officers to validate 12 credits (four courses), reducing the degree requirements to just six courses. This meant that he could complete his master’s degree in just one year while continuing his full-time job.
“Where else can you get an MEM from a top engineering school in one year? It was a no-brainer,” he explained.
Experience in the NC State MEM Program
The online master’s program provided a mix of technical and managerial coursework, often pleasantly pushing Chamberlain outside his academic comfort zone. He appreciated the mix of “hard skill” courses like Introduction to Operations Research and “soft skill” courses like Engineering Leadership and Strategic Change.
Chamberlain found that the impact of the program was immediate, as he was able to apply concepts from the coursework directly to his role at Duke Energy. “From day one, I’ve found connections between what I’m learning and my day job,” he noted. “Concepts like cost-benefit analysis, project scheduling optimization, and case studies of successful engineering firms have provided valuable insights that I’ve applied to my projects.”
Chamberlain is especially grateful for the guidance Associate Professor Semra Sebnem Ahiska King offered while he was enrolled in her Applied Engineering Economy and Introduction to Operations Research courses. “These were my two most challenging courses, requiring the most time for homework and study, but probably the most relevant to my profession,” he reflected. “The difficulty of these courses shows that there is no shortcut to growth and sometimes it will take a lot of time to learn something.”
Beyond coursework, the strong Wolfpack alumni network at Duke Energy has provided an unexpected professional benefit, helping him make valuable new industry connections. Group projects also offered important collaboration opportunities, allowing him to learn from diverse perspectives.
Balancing Work and the Online MEM Program
Successfully balancing a demanding career with challenging coursework required dedication and a proactive approach to time management. “I did homework most weeknights and a few hours on the weekend,” Chamberlain said. “I travel for work two to three days a week, so I try to get ahead on schoolwork at the hotel in the evenings. This way, I can be more present when I’m home.”
Chamberlain highly recommends the MEM program for working professionals. “The asynchronous online learning experience provided maximum flexibility to study around my busy work schedule. For professionals who want to advance their careers while continuing to work, the NC State MEM online provides great value,” he explained.
Chamberlain’s journey through the MEM program underscores how working professionals can seamlessly integrate career advancement with higher education. The program’s flexible online format, rigorous coursework and direct industry applications made it possible for him to sharpen his leadership skills while managing high-stakes projects at Duke Energy. For those considering the master’s program as the next step in their careers, Chamberlain offers this advice:
“The main benefit of the MEM online program is that you can get your degree while working full time. You can also apply knowledge from your courses back to your work. Concurrent work and education is an optimal setup — it’s like keeping the foot on the gas of your career.”
Interested in advancing your career with the online Master of Engineering Management degree from NC State Online? Visit the program page or online.ncsu.edu/programs for a full list of degree and certificate programs.
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