Paul Burke (Class of '17) Navigates an Independent Career Path in Engineering

Paul Burke'sgot the Packet, Gotta Love the NC State Vibe

By Cory "Biz" Bizzle

Paul Burke '17, an alumnus of Wilson College of Textiles, can't escape the NC State vibe, even when he's in Portland, Oregon. His grandfather, J. Perry Watson, served as music director at NC State from 1960 to 1991 and penned some of the university's most iconic tunes - the "Red and White Song" and the former "I Wanna Go Back."

"Poppop, as we called him, was responsible for those bangers," Burke shared. "I am constantly reminded of his legacy whenever I watch our basketball or football games. I'm so damn proud I could carry on the family tradition with a cappella at NC State."

Burke's college journey was generously funded by the North Carolina Textile Foundation and their benefactors, who granted him a Centennial Scholarship. This scholarship covered some education costs and set him up with key connections in the textile industry.

During his time at NC State, Burke was a member of the renowned a cappella group, Grains of Time, which was formed during Poppop's tenure. Burke was a double major in Textile Engineering (TE) and Chemical Engineering, participated in the University Honors Program, Textile Engineering Society, Sigma Tau Sigma Textile Honor Society, Kappa Tau Beta Leadership Fraternity, and served as a University Ambassador. He also worked as a Chick-fil-A team leader, assisted the IT support specialist in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, worked as a research technician for Tethis, and served as an energy technology intern for the nonprofit research institute, RTI International.

Post-grad, Burke lands a sweet gig at Cisco Systems as a pre-sales systems engineer, blending both sales and engineering duties. His role is straightforward - guiding technology decisions for assorted clients and C-level executives while serving as the bridge between relationships and cutting-edge resources.

"My day began in a lovely hotel room in Bend, Oregon," Burke shared. "After a hearty hotel breakfast and some review time, I huddled up with a team member at a coffee shop to plot our next moves. Then off to the airport for a wireless tech guru who'd help me nail the presentation. Lunch, brainstorming sessions, and witty banter ensued before we capped things off at 10 Barrel Brewing."

But it wasn't all brewskis and banter; Burke conceded that the job required hard work and the willingness to dabble in uncomfortable conversations. However, NC State prepared him well for such challenges.

"I intuited how to learn, think, and innovate at Wilson College," Burke explained. "It was there that I adopted the vital skills needed to consume technical information, tailor it for specific audiences, and deliver the information in a way that actually mattered to the listeners."

Textiles initially caught Burke's attention due to his passion for math, chemistry, technology, and apparel in high school. Intelligence-filled ambassadors from the Polymer and Color Chemistry program inspired his educational path. And let's not forget about Kent Hester, the retired Wilson College director of Student and Career Services, who guided Burke to scholarship opportunities.

The North Carolina Textile Foundation played a crucial role in Burke's academic journey and connected him with influential industry leaders. Burke's studies at Wilson College molded him into an adaptable, career-ready individual, despite his divergence from traditional textiles career paths.

Singing in the Red and White

By J. Perry Watson

We're the Red and White from State,And we know we're the best.A hand behind our back,We can take on all the rest.Come over the hill, Caroline.Devils and Deacs stand in line.The Red and White from N.C. State.

Go State!

Spreading Good Vibes:

Twitter: @NCStateWilson

Instagram: @NCStateWilson

Linkedin.com/company/nc-state-wilson-college-of-textiles/

Facebook.com/NCStateWilsonTextiles/

Paul Burke, a graduate from Wilson College of Textiles, secured a Centennial Scholarship for his education, which covered some costs and provided connections in the textile industry.
Burke was not only a student at NC State but also a member of the renowned a cappella group, Grains of Time, and participated in various organizations, including the Textile Engineering Society and Kappa Tau Beta Leadership Fraternity.
Upon graduation, Burke ventured into the business sector, landing a job at Cisco Systems as a pre-sales systems engineer, combining sales and engineering duties.
His role involves guiding technology decisions for clients and C-level executives, blending relationships and cutting-edge resources.
Burke attributes NC State's education-and-self-development programs, particularly Wilson College, for equipping him with the necessary skills to learn, think, and innovate effectively.
His passion for math, chemistry, technology, and apparel initially led him to Textile Engineering, and he was inspired by ambassadors from the Polymer and Color Chemistry program.
Burke's career path didn't follow traditional textiles routes but rather, his studies molded him into an adaptable individual, ready for any career challenges.
The North Carolina Textile Foundation was instrumental in Burke's academic journey, connecting him with industry leaders, and sparking his dreams of personal growth and learning in the realm of textiles and engineering.