How a series of college engineering roles led directly to a commissioning career and eventually to the corner office of her own firm.

M3T Cx Authorities LLC

Some commissioning professionals have career paths full of twists and turns. This month’s featured CxA, however, can trace a straight line from her first engineering experience to where she is today.

A graduate of Norfolk State University with a B.S. in Electronics/Electrical Engineering and a minor in Artificial Intelligence, Monica Mack didn’t wait until graduation to start shaping her career. As a freshman, she was already working as a student researcher for the U.S. Department of Transportation, authoring a research paper on using sensors in roadways and bridges to predict maintenance needs and failures, work she described as ahead of its time. The recognition she received for that project lit something in her that never went out: a passion for innovation, technical writing, and engineering design.

Building the Toolkit

Each role that followed added a new layer. As an Engineering Associate with Raytheon, Monica examined, tested, and repaired circuit boards used in military and avionics equipment, which sparked a love of troubleshooting and hands-on technical problem-solving. As a Junior Associate Designer at a large power company, she drafted power-line routes for new locations, spending significant time in the field documenting site conditions and evaluating design options.

By the time she graduated, a clear pattern had emerged: she thrived when working independently, digging into technical challenges, and verifying that systems and designs would perform as intended. She just didn’t have a name for it yet.

The Role That Named It

Immediately after graduation, Monica accepted a position supporting the U.S. Navy, witnessing and testing systems for a new submarine design as a contractor with the VIRGINIA CLASS Submarine Program. It was her first exposure to the word “commissioning,” but the work itself felt immediately familiar. It combined everything she had come to love through her college engineering experiences: investigation, verification, technical depth, and purpose.

Where She is Today

Today, Monica is the CEO and President of M3T Cx Authorities LLC, where commissioning makes up 75-100% of her work. The path from commissioning technician to firm owner reflects the same curiosity and commitment to excellence that defined her earliest engineering roles.

Advice for the Next Generation

Monica’s advice to students is both practical and encouraging:

“There are many facets and roles within a commissioning career, so I would encourage students to explore commissioning with an open mind. When entering this industry, you do not have to know everything, but you should be willing to investigate, listen, and continue building your technical expertise. Most importantly, remain curious and committed to learning.”

She also points students toward the kinds of experiences that build commissioning-ready skills, including internships, technical programs, science or construction-related clubs, and hands-on industry roles, with a reminder that every experience counts:

“Finding the right career can be as simple as understanding what kind of work makes you feel engaged, challenged, and excited to keep learning.”