When Jordan Kern began college, he didn’t plan to become an engineer. In fact, he attended UNC Chapel Hill which doesn’t offer an undergraduate engineering program. Instead, he studied science and became deeply interested in complex systems. Over time, that interest grew into something more.

A Slow Start with Engineering

Unlike many engineers, Kern didn’t build machines as a kid. “I only had a little direct exposure to engineering as a kid,” he said. “Science, yes, but not engineering.” However, halfway through college, he realized he enjoyed solving challenging problems. “I had a strong interest in understanding complex systems and problem-solving,” he said. As a result, he began to consider a career in engineering seriously. But since UNC didn’t have the right program, he waited until graduate school to make the switch.

Finding Direction in D.C.

After graduating, Kern took a job in Washington, D.C. He worked at the U.S. Department of Energy as a contractor. “It was mostly administrative work,” he said, “and as a 22-year-old I didn’t like it very much. I was bored.” Around the same time, his fiancée applied to MD/Ph.D. programs across the country. Kern wanted to help choose where they would move next. So, he decided to apply to graduate school as well.

A New Path Opens

Eventually, his wife picked Duke University. That decision brought Kern back to UNC, where he earned both his master’s and Ph.D. in environmental engineering. “I looked for programs where I could study energy and water resource systems both from an engineering and financial/economic perspective,” he said. During graduate school, he focused on energy and water systems. He studied them from both engineering and economic viewpoints.

A Career Shaped by Family

When he earned his Ph.D. in 2014, Kern had twin toddlers at home. His wife was still finishing her long medical program. As a result, he sought jobs that allowed him to stay nearby and be flexible. “I wanted to work in the private sector,” he said, “but I was the primary caregiver at home.” He added, “This was long before remote work became common.” He couldn’t move far, so he took a research faculty job at UNC. Even though academia wasn’t his first choice, he gave it a try. “Turns out I did like academia,” Kern said.

Becoming Part of NC State

In 2018, Kern joined NC State as an assistant professor. At first, he worked in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. “I was still very geographically constrained,” he said, “and it was my only academic offer.” Although he enjoyed it, he still wanted to be in an engineering department. “I knew being in an engineering department would be a better fit,” Kern explained. So, in 2023, he moved to the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. There, he found a better fit for his work and interests.

Looking Ahead

Kern’s story shows that career paths don’t need to follow a straight line. His journey began with uncertainty, yet it led to a place where he could thrive. Even without early plans for engineering, he found his way by staying curious and open to change.