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Grad student spotlight: Michael Pedraza

Michael Pedraza

Michael Pedraza is a third-year master’s student with a concentration in construction. He grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and is advised by Professor Ed Jaselskis. Pedraza serves as a senior vice president for a concrete construction company based in Raleigh.

What influenced you to go into engineering? 

PEDRAZA (P): Having an advanced degree has always been a goal of mine, so after 20 years in the industry, I took the plunge. Professor Roberto Nuñez opened my eyes to teaching by inviting me to speak to his undergraduate classes. He was a big driver in sparking my interest to come back, and I am hoping to use this to open some avenues into teaching at the college level once I obtain my degree. I am a licensed Professional Engineer and serve as a voting member on several professional committees with the American Concrete Institute and Post-tensioning Institute. My research is focused on the safety portion of CII research as we work to create a Manual of Standard Practice. 

Going into engineering for a master’s was an easy choice for my teaching goal. I chose a construction concentration because my undergraduate degree from NC State was a concentration in structural engineering, but I have spent my professional career in the construction realm. 

What problem(s) are you trying to solve? Why was NC State / CCEE a good fit for you? 

P: NC State is a good fit because it is in Raleigh — where I live and work — and it is one of the best programs in the country. I really wanted to return to my alma mater, and thankfully the setup of the degree program is flexible enough for me to maintain my full-time job. 

Where did your passion for this particular focus come from? 

P: I have always loved building things and have worked in the construction field for more than 20 years. My undergraduate degree focused on the design side more than construction, so I thought adding a concentration in construction would afford me the opportunity to improve personally and to position myself to better support the industry. As a manager, I have developed a passion for sharing my experience with others and helping them to become the best version of themselves. As much as I am excited to use what I learn professionally, I am inspired to use my degree to help the generations to come. 

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

P: In five years, I hope to use my degree to help my company advance and to have a teaching job to help support the growth of the next generation.

This story first appeared in the CCEE Fall 2023 Newsletter.