After 25 years in government and construction, Erika Young is charting a new path in clean energy leadership. Discover how the Jenkins MRA program is helping her balance career growth, flexibility, and a passion for lifelong learning.

Get to know Erika

Program: Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA)
Start date: August 2025
Anticipated graduation date: May 2027
Current location: Raleigh, NC

Life before Jenkins

Work experience: 25 years 
Industries: Government and Construction
Role: Sr. Principal, Change Management
Field: Clean Energy & Infrastructure
Undergraduate education: Clarion University, B.A. Political Science and Old Dominion University, Master’s in Public Administration

Career goals

After spending 25 years in the workforce, Erika recognized the importance of evolving her skills to meet workforce demands. “Pursuing the MRA was a strategic decision to upgrade my skills, deepen my analytical capabilities and position myself for continued growth and leadership.”

Why Jenkins?

Erika chose NC State because of its strong reputation, balanced with the opportunity to participate in distance learning. “The flexibility of the MRA program with online and in-person opportunities was precisely what I was looking for. I can balance my work and travel schedule while still taking advantage of in-person symposiums and collaborative learning experiences.”

“The flexibility of the MRA program with online and in-person opportunities was precisely what I was looking for.”

Daily life

Life’s a bit chaotic these days for Erika, but she chooses to believe that a little chaos is good for the soul. “My mornings kick off with either Orangetheory or Dose Yoga, setting the tone before I dive into my work-from-home routine. Weeknights and weekends are reserved for time with my husband and, at the moment, coursework. When we do find pockets of free time, we love to travel – San Sebastian tops our list of favorite destinations.”

What made it great

As a busy working professional, the flexibility that the MRA program offers is critical to Erika – but that’s not all she appreciates about it. “I’ve also enjoyed my instructors to date, as they bring a wealth of knowledge from both academia and the real world.”

Final thoughts

If you’re considering going back to school, Erika encourages you not to delay a moment longer. “This program is incredibly relevant to the realities of today’s corporate world. It offers a chance to step outside the daily grind and gain fresh perspectives that are directly applicable to the challenges professionals face. I often find myself drawing on course materials while tackling projects at work, and that added lens has been invaluable. It’s not just academic – it’s practical, insightful, and immediately useful.”

“This program is incredibly relevant to the realities of today’s corporate world.”

Get in touch

Connect with Erika on LinkedIn.

Learn more

To learn more about the Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below.