Paul Gorman’s Journey Through Engineering and Entrepreneurship

For most of Paul Gorman’s life, NC State was someone else’s anecdote, always feeling just out of reach for him. After more than a decade of exploring other paths, he finally decided to pursue an electrical engineering degree from NC State.

While taking classes at Wake Tech, Gorman would spend hours studying at Hunt Library as a reminder of what he was working toward.

Gorman’s anecdote

As he began the monumental process of applying to NC State, Gorman learned firsthand that the “Think and Do” motto was more than just a slogan. It shows up every day in the Wolfpack.

“The admissions team, and especially Dr. Kim Roberts, showed me patience and grace through every email and phone call,” said Gorman. After what felt like an agonizing wait, he received a one-sentence email confirming his admission pending final grades in April 2023. “I will never forget that moment, three minutes before I sat down for a chemistry exam. That message validated two and a half years of hard work.”

NC State held such prestige with Gorman because “there are very few opportunities in life that will make you feel so challenged, excited, terrified and accomplished. The esteem associated with NC State attracts some of the best professors, researchers, staff and students from all around the world. Progress begets progress, and this university continues to propagate its progress and success into communities small and large.”

For Gorman, it was essential to attend a school that was a staple of the community he was raised in, but also one that innovates and impacts the world. “For me, the only option was to join the Pack.”

A transformative experience

Gorman transferred into the NC State College of Engineering electrical engineering program from Wake Tech. It was a significant transition with a new environment, a heavier workload and most life-changing of all, his son was born two weeks into his first semester.

But, NC State provided support from every direction. The transfer team guided him through logistics and helped him adjust to a new university. First in the Pack, a university-wide initiative that connects first-generation students with on-campus resources, helped Gorman find a community of peers. Campus Health’s counseling resources helped him manage the pressures of academics, fatherhood and career planning. 

What stands out the most for him is the sense of community in the College of Engineering. “Some of my best memories are the 15-person study sessions at Hunt, designing and building a quadcopter from scratch, spending over 200 hours with classmates creating a mini line-following robot, and most recently developing a smart-scale inventory system,” said Gorman, “If you want to explore something, there is a club, program or group ready to support you.”

Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset

In his senior year, Gorman discovered the Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IE) unit and it quickly became one of the most impactful parts of his time at NC State. Through the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program (EEP), he turned a personal passion project into his senior design coursework. “EEP taught me how to validate an idea, build a prototype, navigate technical and business constraints and pitch to real stakeholders,” he said.

He also participated in several workshops at the Albright Entrepreneurship Garage, including sewing, 3D printing and laser cutting. “These classes expanded the range of tools I could use in my engineering work.”

Gorman also participated in the mentorship program, where he was paired with an experienced professional who continues to support and challenge him, especially on his EEP senior design project.

His favorite experience was the fall break trip to New York City. “[The trip] led to lifelong friendships, valuable business connections and a broader perspective on innovation and entrepreneurship, plus some incredible food,” said Gorman.

The IE and EEP programs were crucial to moving Gorman’s product, BINsight, from an idea with a heavy opportunity cost to a fully functional prototype. BINsight is an automated smart-scale inventory tracking system designed for service-truck industries with high parts turnover: HVAC, electricians, plumbers, telecom and more. The product aims to reduce downtime, eliminate manual counting and accelerate through automatic, timestamped inventory updates.

His team is moving into a phase of testing with potential customers. “[The programs] have opened doors to conversations with business leaders and potential investors.”

Finding a space to grow

As an active member of the Albright Entrepreneurship Garage, Gorman has spent significant time in the space. One of his favorite parts of the Garage is the relationships that form simply by being there. “The strength of an idea often comes from the strength of the people around you, and the Garage creates an environment where collaboration happens naturally. As the saying goes, ‘the strength of the wolf is the pack. No one feels like a stranger.”

He noted that Eren Herbert, Entrepreneurship Garage Manager, is instrumental in fostering this collaborative environment. “I have watched him make introductions, challenge students to improve their concepts and connect students with resources that help turn ideas into reality.”

The Garage has been more than a place for collaboration. The prototyping space is where BINsight took shape. Gorman utilized the tools in the space to make a real prototype — from the Cricut for logos to the 3D printers for fabricating the bin housings. “Without access to the tools, I would likely still have a kitchen scale wired to a breadboard.”

He encouraged every student to join the Garage, highlighting that it is not just for entrepreneurs; it is a space for anyone who enjoys problem-solving. He boasted about the offerings, including professional-grade study spaces, private rooms, quiet areas, a kitchen for long work sessions and a creative prototyping lab. “The more people who use the space, the more valuable it becomes.”

Graduation and beyond

After graduating from NC State in December, Gorman will begin a full-time position as an electrical design engineer with IMEG in Raleigh in January. He is excited for this next step and believes that an entrepreneurial mindset was crucial in helping him secure the role and will allow him to excel in it.

Another NC State alumnus, Larry Spera, imparted wisdom that is critical to Gorman’s future. Spera spoke on being a great engineer, which is looking at everything through the lens of “how can I make this better?” This mindset creates a more profound sense of ownership, curiosity and pride in your work. These qualities are central and essential to both engineering and entrepreneurship.

Having owned a construction business, Gorman understands the importance of inventory management and plans to continue working on BINsight.

Advice for the Wolfpack

As he reflected on his time at NC State, Gorman shared this advice for current and future students. “Do the hard thing. Take the challenging class that excites you, put in the extra time to reach the next milestone and surround yourself with peers who support your passion for learning. You will discover new ways of thinking and problem-solving; you will build resilience that will carry you through school and into your career. Most importantly, be patient with yourself. When you look back, you will be amazed at what you were able to accomplish.”

One last note

As he wrapped up his time at NC State, Gorman ran a symbolic marathon around the iconic Oval on Centennial campus to represent the journey of finishing his degree: the many hours in classes, studying, projects and more.

Gorman also noted how grateful he is for NC State and the people who believed in him along the way: professors, mentors, classmates and the IE community. “This university changed the trajectory of my life, and I hope to give back by supporting future students the same way others supported me.