The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast
By Isaac Oakeson
We share our expertise and provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you succeed. Join us for informative and engaging discussions on exam preparation strategies, career development, and cutting-edge engineering innovations.
Whether you're preparing to ace the civil FE or PE exam, looking to adv
The Civil Engineering Academy PodcastJan 26, 2024
CEA 233 | The Foundation Repair Expert with RK Bob Brown
Calling all Engineers and homeowners out there! 🏠 Today’s interview is with none other than Bob Brown, the foundation repair expert who built, grew, and later sold Arizona Foundation Solutions. Bob’s spent years fixing all types of foundation issues you can imagine, and in this interview, he dives deep into it. From foundation maintenance tips to keep your house safe… all the way to how you as an engineer can carve out a lucrative career in the industry as well. ⛏️
Tune in to Learn:
His journey from a real estate development dream to the foundation repair industry
How he learned concrete foundations without a civil engineering degree
Tools he developed to help engineers in their foundation consulting business
One jaw-dropping aspect of the foundation repair industry you didn't know
A common foundation issue most people get mixed up all the time
Tips for engineers who want to start their own practice...from a guy who did it twice
Basic foundation maintenance tips for homeowners to avoid major headaches
Do cracks automatically mean foundation issues?
How a career in Geotech can be risk-free and lucrative
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
Foundation Repair Secrets Book
Connect With Bob Brown:
OUR FREEBIES:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Floodplain Manager (CFM®) Review Course
CA Seismic & Survey Courses (Waitlist)
Connect With Us:
CEA | The Future of Mass Timber Design with Ricky McLain
From zero to more than 2,000+ projects (and counting). That’s how much mass timber has grown in popularity over the years. 📈 So today, we interview Ricky McLain, a SE who specializes in timber and works at WoodWorks — an organization that provides assistance and continuing education on wood design and construction. If you use mass timber in your projects, this is your chance to pick the brains of one of the experts in the field! 🧠
Tune in to Learn:
What mass timber really is (hint: not what you think)
The hockey stick-like adoption of mass timber in the US
5 benefits of mass timber that make it irresistible
Why mass timber is getting widespread popularity
The biggest misconception about mass timber....debunked
The downsides of mass timber you should take into account
3 tips for those interested in diving into mass timber
What he does today at WoodWorks helping timber projects come to life
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
CEA Episode #204 (Tallwood Shake Table Test)
IBC 2021NDS 2024The Ascent Building, in Milwaukee
Connect With Ricky:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Floodplain Manager (CFM®) Review Course
CA Seismic & Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
CEA | Bridges Beyond Borders: A Journey with Engineers in Action with Brittany Margritz
Did you know you can use your civil engineering knowledge to make an impact in underserved communities…while traveling abroad? 🤔 Today I interviewed Brittany Margritz from Engineers in Action (EIA), who leads the program that builds pedestrian footbridges in these communities. In this episode, she dives into the work that EIA does, how it works, and how you can join them to go abroad to help build things too, from bridges to water facilities to sewers…you name it! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The work Engineers in Action (EIA) does to help underserved communities abroad
From bridges to water: the different types of work you can do at EIA
How engineering students, practicing professionals, and firms can join EIA
The technical and cultural prep that volunteers need before traveling to EIA's projects
How EIA gets approval from local officials...and where funding comes from
Brittany's role at EIA and her four-year experience working in Eswatini, Africa
How she managed to balance work and life living abroad
Her best advice for young engineers to build a career (and life) they enjoy
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
PE Course Update (Waiting List)
CEA Episode #206 (Brenton Kreiger)
CEA Episode #149 (Isaac’s Visit to Kenya)
University of Colorado Boulder
Connect With Brittany:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Floodplain Manager (CFM®) Review Course
CA Seismic & Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
CEA | Depth Exam Dilemma: A PE Exam Journey of Change with Grant Junghans
If you’ve failed a few times, you may be considering changing your PE Civil Exam, right? 🤔 That’s what Grant Junghans did to get over this hump once and for all. He failed the Construction exam twice, changed to the Water Resources exam, and then passed it. In this episode, he dives into this journey of switching exams and teaches you all he learned the hard way if you’re thinking of doing the same. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
Grant's journey to get his PE license after 3 attempts
Why he changed his PE Civil Exam for his third (and last) try
2 things you must do before you go and change your PE Civil Exam
His successful exam prep habits you should apply to your own prep
How he stayed motivated as a repeat taker
How to take practice exams right during your prep for them to actually help you
What he enjoyed the most about The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Theory questions in the Water Resources exam...and how to prep for them
How many Alternative-Item Type questions can you expect on your exam?
🤝 Our Partners:
☑️ Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
📧 Connect With Grant:
LinkedIngrantsjunghans@gmail.com
📚 Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waitlist)
📱 Connect With Us:
CEA | The Quest for Structural Engineering Excellence with Colten Johnson
Are you just a few years into your career and thinking about going down the Structural Engineering route? 🤔 Then our latest interview is a must! Colten Johnson is a Structural Engineer who started and now leads his own structural firm. He also runs PE4Free, a platform built to help young engineers thrive in the professional world and pass their exams.
Tune in to Learn:
How he passed the FE exam under work pressure due to project requirements
The challenges of being the Lead Engineer in structural projects
The technical vs leadership sides of engineering: which one should you choose?
What needs to change in the Structural Engineering industry today
His strategy to overcome the downsides of the industry's status quo
How Structural Engineers can leverage the power of augmented reality
How ChatGPt will impact your preparation for your exams
His experience starting a firm....and what you should know before you do it
Tips for engineers to use LinkedIn right
How to know if it's time to shake things up a bit in your career
The best way to improve yourself professionally
His platform to help young engineers thrive and pass their exams
🤝 Our Partners:
☑️ Resources Mentioned:
CEA Episode #187 (Sol Rosenbaum)
📧 Connect With Colten:
📚 Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waitlist)
📱 Connect With Us:Free CEA CommunityFree NewsletterYouTube ChannelInstagramLinkedInisaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA | A Journey from Ministry to Civil Engineering with Zach Parris
Passing the FE Civil Exam 18 years out of school, well into your late 30s, and coming from a non-technical career as a Lutheran Minister? 😱 That’s exactly what Zach Parris just recently did! 👷 In this episode, he dives into this quiet original journey into the field, his FE experience, as well as tips he learned the hard way for anyone taking the FE “later” in life.
Tune in to Learn:
- His surprising journey from engineering graduate to pastor to roadway engineer
- What he regrets doing in college regarding the FE Exam
- What it was like taking the FE Exam 18 years out of school
- What preparing for the FE exam is really about — and it's not knowledge
- How much prep time do you need for the FE if you've been out of school for a while?
- His advice for other experienced engineers to pass the FE exam "later" in their career
- What he enjoyed the most about The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
- How his Lutheran Minister skills translates into his engineering work
- Pros and cons of switching into civil engineering from non-technical work
🤝 Our Partners:
☑️ Resources Mentioned:
Clemson UniversityUniversity of Colorado, Boulder
📚 Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
📱 Connect With Us:
CEA - A Structural Engineer's Guide with Vince Marvin, PE, SE
Our latest episode with Vince Marvin, PE, SE is a gold mine for everyone interested in a career in Structural Engineering! He answers questions every Structural Engineer has, based on his own journey. How do you learn the ropes out of college? Do you need a master’s degree? Is the PE needed? Should you go for the SE, even with the low pass rates? 🤔 It’s all here! 👷
Tune in to Learn:
Grad school vs work experience: which one matters most for Structural Engineers?
Do Structural Engineers really need the PE license?
The importance of the SE for Structural Engineers
Can you take the SE without taking the PE first?
What's it like to take the SE Exam...and when should you take it?
Why the SE is getting more and more difficult to pass every year
The simple (but not easy) way to overcome the SE Exam's low pass rates
Tips for recent graduates going into the professional Structural Engineering world
How he went from design to leadership roles...and how you can too
The biggest challenge and the most rewarding part of being an engineering leader
What to do if you want to become a Structural Engineering manager
🤝 Our Partner:
☑️ Resources Mentioned:
Case Western Reserve University
📧 Connect With Vince:
📚 Our Exam Prep Resources:
CEA - Thriving in NY as a Civil Engineer with Mafuzul Mashud
Are you a civil engineer planning to go into project management…in New York? 🤔 Then this interview with Mafuzul Mashud, PE, is for you! He started out as a Transportation Engineer in Long Island, got his PE license out of the way, and worked his way up to Project Manager, overseeing big projects from New York’s MTA. 🗽 👷
Tune in to Learn:
The 3 biggest challenges of working in New York as a Civil Engineer
His all-time favorite project that would probably be your least favorite
How's it to switch from fieldwork to behind-the-desk design work?
How bad COVID-19 hit New York's traditional work scenario
His best advice to pass the PE Civil Exam... that you keep neglecting
Do you get an immediate raise or promotion after passing the PE?
His path from Transportation Design Engineer to Engineering Project Management
How being part of professional organizations helped him get the job he wanted
What salary levels can you expect as a civil engineer in NY?
The best skill you should master to go into project management
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Construction and Development (MTA C&D)
New York City Housing Authority
ASCE Met Section Forensic Engineering Group
ASCE Met Section Infrastructure Group
Connect With Mafuzul:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course
Civil PE Review CourseCivil PE Depth Review Courses
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA | The Tech Revolution in Structural Engineering with Nick Heim
Can we train computers to “be” Structural Engineers? 🤔 In this episode, I chat with Nick Heim, a Structural Engineer working with parking structures, about the AI tools that can change the field forever. From machine learning teaching computers how to do the engineer’s calcs…all the way to using computer vision to “look for” potential structural issues in images and videos. 😲
Tune in to Learn:
What's computer vision and how does it impact the Structural Engineer's work?
Will AI put Structural Engineers out of business?
Are SEs recognized as much as they should?
Why flying drones is the first "tech tool" you need to master...immediately!
Why he went for the maintenance and restoration niche of Structural Engineering
4 ways he uses to find parking structure restoration work
2 things young engineers should focus on (+ how to do the second right in today's world)
What being part of professional organizations teaches you that school doesn't
What is it like to be the president of an ASCE local chapter?
The advice those getting started in their career should NOT take
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
CEA Episode #216 (Drones in Civil Engineering)
AECTECH Podcast, host by Nick Heim
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Connect With Nick:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
CFM® Practice Exam
Connect With Us:
CEA - Building a Stormwater Management Consulting Business With Paige Brue
Have you thought of doing the same engineering work you do at your workplace, but for yourself? 🤔 Then you’ll want to listen to this interview with Paige Brue about her own journey to start her consulting business! She dives into how her education allowed her to provide the type of services she provides, why having professional credentials is a must (and the easiest way to get them)...all the way to her best tips for aspiring firm owners. 😉 👇
Tune in to Learn:
How a devastating flood in her hometown got her interested in Water Resources
What led her to start her own engineering business
How to know if starting your own engineering practice is really for you?
2 pieces of advice before you (cluelessly) go and start your own firm
The number one thing you need to thrive professionally (and it's not only money)
What the CFM credential is all about
How her PE license and CFM credential are crucial for her independent work
The biggest misconception about an engineer's work that we only learn after school
What she did that made passing her PE a lot easier...and you should do too
Is it difficult to take the PE Exam in a discipline that's not yours?
Her experience with CA Seismic and Survey Exams (+ how difficult they are)
Her #1 advice for women to succeed in the field...that works wonders for men too.
Organizations for Water Resources folks and women engineers to join
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Floodplain Manager Review Course
The Ultimate CA Seismic & Survey Courses (Waitlist)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
California Stormwater Quality Association
North Carolina State University
Connect With Paige:
LinkedInWebsiteSurf City Hydraulic
Engineeringpaige.brue@surfcityh2o.com
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - The State of the AEC Industry with Mark Oakeson
Do you know how our AEC industry is doing and what we can expect in the years to come? No?! 🤔 Then this episode is for you! Mark jumps back on to share his recent roundtable discussion with other leaders of AEC companies to discuss their challenges, problems, new technology…all the way to what the future looks like for the industry. Is it positive? Well, give this a listen and you’ll find out! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The biggest challenge in the AEC industry right now...plus 2 factors that can reduce it
Positive or negative: What's the outlook for the industry a few years down the road?
How the construction industry is still suffering from the impacts of COVID
The current state of employment in the industry
Why BIM modeling still hasn't been useful despite being talked about all the time
What leaders of AEC companies have to say about the use of drones in projects
The two sides of the AI implementation in civil engineering
Why the design-bid-build model has to be buried (plus a better alternative)
Our Store for Civil Engineers:
Resources Mentioned:
CEA #219 - Robert Otani on the Use of AI
Building, Construction & Design Roundtable
Connect With Mark:
Our Freebies:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course
Civil PE Review CourseCivil PE Depth Review Courses
Floodplain Manager Review CourseCA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - An Uncommon Route to Finding Success as a Structural Engineer with Rebecca Miller
Do you think you’ve made the wrong decision of going into engineering just because the “common” roles don’t align with the life you want? 🤔 Well, you’re looking at it the wrong way! In this interview with Rebecca Miller, she dives into her non-traditional journey into Structural Engineering and how she intentionally designed a career in the field that matched her life goals instead of getting siloed into pre-existing job positions.
Tune in to Learn:
Her path into Structural Engineering from an unrelated background to inspire you
How her non-traditional background impacted her pursuit of the PE license
Why engineers can explore other career paths other than the traditional route
The best approach to studying for the PE exam that made her pass it
Her thoughts on the pros and cons of the changes coming to the PE in April
How she landed a job at a company that matched her life vision
The key aspect of finding the job the suits what you want out of life
Does working at an engineering tech company pay more?
Advice for women engineers to thrive
The right way to go about taking the PE Exam to avoid test anxiety and nervousness
2 ways to grasp engineering concepts for the PE Exam you probably never heard of
What's behind a really successful career...in one word
Our Store for Civil Engineers:
Resources Mentioned:
CEA Quick Tip Video: April Changes to the PE Civil Exam
She Engineers, by Stephanie Slocum
The Gap and The Gain, by Dan Sullivan
Buckingham Avenue, Rebecca's Online Shop
Amber Freund, RISA CEO
Connect With Rebecca:
CEA Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Developing Yourself as a 360-Degree Engineer with Ayo Sokale
Who said you can only do civil engineering as a civil engineer? 🤔 If you think that’s the only way to go, this week’s guest will prove you wrong! Ayo Sokale is a Chartered Engineer in the UK who managed to build a successful career in Water Resources as a woman engineer and also pursue other passions…like becoming a BBC presenter! 😲 In this episode, she dives into the multi-dimensional aspect of people, and how you can leverage it as a civil engineer to build a life that works for you. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
What a Chartered Engineer is in the UK...and how it compares to the PE in the US
Her experience being left out of the technical things just for being a woman engineer
5 pieces of advice that she learned the hard way to all the women engineers
Why engineers can do more than engineering in life
How she became a BBC presenter as a civil engineer
How she balances work with BBC shows, coaching services, tech company, etc
A framework you can use to reach your vision for your future self
Her top 2 tips to improve your life, professionally and personally
Our Store for Civil Engineers:
Our Partners:
Resources Mentioned:
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
Melissa Hogenboom, BBC Commissioner
Connect With Ayo:
Instagram - @officialayosokale
Instagram - @ayosokalelabour
Facebook - @ayosokale
Facebook - @storieswithayo
Twitter - @ayosokale
Twitter - @ayoCaversham
TikTok - @officialayosokale
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
CEA - Where are You on The Wealth Elevator? with Lane Kawaoka
Who said your PE license is the final act? 🤔 Getting your license and the higher salary that comes with it is a stepping stone for you to achieve something even bigger. In this episode, I chat with Lane Kawaoka about how he used his PE and high-paying engineering job to fuel his real estate investments and make extra cash for his family every month…passively! 😲 He then went on to build a platform to help other licensed engineers (like you) do the same. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The easiest way to trick the system and get your PE license…totally legal!
What separates engineers from highly paid engineers — and it’s not technical stuff
How he used his high-paying job as a PE job to build passive income with real estate
From buying to development: his path in the real estate industry as an engineer
Why civil engineers are well-suited for the development side of real estate investing
Why traditional investments don’t work for engineers — plus how to find better ones
The Wealth Elevator analogy: Which floor are you on?
A sneak peek into his soon-to-be-released resource to help engineers scale financially
Our Partners:
Resources Mentioned:
The Wealth Elevator Book Waitlist
The Journey to Simple Passive Cashflow, by Lane Kawaoka
Connect With Lane:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam Simulator
PE Depth Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam Simulator
Connect With Us:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - The Importance of Technology and AI in the Workplace with Robert Otani
Will machine learning replace civil engineers? 😟 The answer is not what you think, whether you answered “yes” or “no.” Today’s guest is Robert Otani, a civil engineer and the Chief Technology Officer at Thornton Tomasetti. In this episode, he talks about how machine learning and AI will impact engineering jobs, as well as how he’s already using AI at his firm’s projects and overall business development so you can use it in yours too. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
- How the introduction of BIM got Robert into the tech side of civil engineering
- His experience building tools to connect different software in construction management
- The software tools he's launched for the industry and where to get them
- Should civil engineers learn how to code?
- What machine learning will change in the future of the civil engineering profession?
- Will civil engineers still have jobs with the rise of AI?
- A positive impact of AI on civil engineering that gets overlooked
- How he's already using AI at Thornton Tomasetti's projects and business development
Our Partner:
Freebie:
Resources Mentioned:
Thornton Tomasetti & Autodesk Webinar
Computers & Structures, IncRutgers University
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
CEA - Acing the Civil PE as a Mechanical Engineer Using CEA with Esteban Valderrama
From a Mechanical Engineer in Colombia to a graduate student in the US to unemployed driving Uber with two kids…all the way to passing the PE Civil Structural Exam! 😲 Impressed? Well, this is the exact life journey of Esteban Valderrama, our guest for this week’s episode.
He got his PE on his third try, and this journey can teach you a lot if you find yourself either taking the Structural PE Exam or considering taking the Civil PE as a mechanical engineer with very little background education on civil engineering topics.
Tune in to Learn:
How his structural background in mechanical engineering led him to civil engineering
How he went from unemployed and driving Uber to passing the Civil PE Structural Exam
What he does today in the 5G telecommunications industry
How the PE license gave him and his opinion more weight in the workplace
His top tip for other mechanicals who may be thinking of going for the PE Civil Exam
What made The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course stand out from the other prep courses
What motivated him to keep at it after failing the PE three times...and how you can, too
What his weekly study calendar looked like balancing work, family, and exam prep
A study trick he used to get familiar with every chapter of the codes and standards
Two topics that caught him (extremely) off guard on the exam
How many Alternative Item Type questions were on his exam
Does he recommend The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course?
Our Partner:
Freebie:
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
University of Texas at San antonio
Connect With Esteban:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
CEA - Solid Foundations: How Hannah Thomas Crushes It as a Geotechnical Engineer
If you think Geotech Engineers only “play in the dirt,” think again! The field has many paths you can choose, from field work to office work…all the way to sales and software! 😲. In this episode, I chat with Hannah Thomas, who’s done it all in the field, to help you find out whether the Geotech route is right for you and what you can do if you go into it, but also how to find the career that’s a good fit….based on how she found out hers. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The many career routes within the Geotech field, from field work to software to sales
The most rewarding and challenging aspects of Geotech
Common misconceptions about what geotechnical engineers do ( + what they really do)
Why the PE matters for geotech engineers...as Hannah learned firsthand at work
The reason the Geotechnical PE Civil Exam has the lowest volume of test-takers
Why the geotechnical knowledge is also important for your personal, day-to-day life
The field-tested way to find a career path that makes you wake up excited every day.
Why she started sharing her journey on LinkedIn (and the benefits it brought to her)
Our Partners:
Resources Mentioned:
Connect With Hannah:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
Free NewsletterYouTube Channel
Inisaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Essential Drone Use in the Construction Industry
Technology is changing everything, and believe me, drones are already changing how you do your work on the job site as a civil engineer — and you’ll have to adapt! 👷 So in this episode, Mark and I chat about how we’re using drones in the utility and construction arenas. From project design to construction to inspection to post-construction promotion with some cool images for advertising, drones can help you do it all…and a lot more efficiently! 😲
Tune in to Learn:
Top two drones being used in civil engineering (+ the favorite one…and why)
The uses of drones in the construction industry, from project design to post-completion
How drones are being used in the utility world for visualization and inspection tasks
How the newer drones differ from older versions and make controlling a lot easier
Guidelines to set up, execute, and manage drone programs at your workplace
The challenges that come with the mass adoption of drones
How do you become a drone pilot? (Hint: it's not simply buying and using one!)
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned
CEA #110 (Construction Engineering Degree)Part 107 FAA Exam
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Civil PE Review CourseCivil PE Depth Review Courses
Floodplain Manager Review CourseCA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Breadth Practice ExamsPE Depth Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam Simulator
Connect With Us:
Free NewsletterYouTube Channel
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Using AI to Help Ace Your Exams in 2024
Artificial Intelligence is the big buzzword nowadays, right? 🤖 So in this episode, I decided to dissect the ways you can use it to help you prepare for your exams in 2024. Believe me, even though there are some limitations, it's a wonderful tool in your toolbelt! From getting you started on developing a study schedule to coming up with theory (and even quantitative) practice problems…and more! 😲
Tune in to Learn:
2 common exam prep challenges AI can help you solve
Developing a complete 6-month study schedule….with ChatGPT
Can you simply follow an AI-generated schedule or do you need to refine it?
How to use AI to practice theory problems for the Civil FE and PE Exams
Using ChatGPT to come up with practice problems to supplement your study material
Can you trust AI-generated solutions to quantitative practice problems?
How do you make sure AI uses equations out of the NCEES handbooks?
Our Store for Civil Engineers:
Resources Mentioned
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam Simulator
Connect With Us:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - CEA in Review for 2023!
In this episode, I reflect back on all the things we developed here at Civil Engineering Academy in 2023, plus a sneak peek into what we have for you next year. 😉 From adding new team members to a new brand specifically for civil engineers to new courses launching in 2024. That’s right! we’ll keep helping you thrive in your career…way beyond the FE and PE. 📈 👷
Tune in to Learn:
The progress of our PE course update to match the April 2024 specifications
Our brand new review course to help you become a Certified Floodplain Manager
How to join the waiting list for our new CA Seismic and Survey courses
A new brand we started exclusively and specifically for civil engineers…just like you.
The members of the CEA Dream Team — plus, how you can become one.
Our efforts at our FE and PE CBT simulators give you a like-like exam experience
The improvements we’ve been making to our FE course
Our live problem-solving workshops (and how to get access to all of them!)
Our Store for Civil Engineers:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)
FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Breadth Practice ExamsPE Depth Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam Simulator
The CEA Dream Team:
Matt Fanghella
Marion Oakeson
Lisa Oakeson
Resources Mentioned
Latest Live Workshop with Cody Sims
Connect With Us:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Civil Engineering Salaries and Trends in 2023 With Mark Oakeson
How much do civil engineers make? 💸 That’s a question Mark and I answer in this episode by diving into the latest and greatest ASCE Salary Report! In addition to spelling out the numbers, we talk about other important aspects that go into your career, such as job satisfaction, raises, opportunities, etc. Believe it or not, the future is brighter than you think. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The trend in average salaries for civil engineers: up or down?
How much entry-level civil engineers make (and how much experience they need)
The main thing impacting salary levels today
How the industry’s specialization trend impacts salaries
How much does a licensed PE make compared to unlicensed civil engineers?
Average salary numbers by US region
Are civil engineers satisfied with their jobs, benefits, and compensation?
Do Structural Engineers with the SE make more money than those with only the PE?
What the future looks like in civil engineering (and why it's a good place to be in)
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course
Civil PE Review CourseCivil PE Depth Review Courses
Floodplain Manager Review CourseCalifornia Seismic & Survey Courses (Waiting List)
FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Breadth Practice ExamsPE Depth Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam Simulator
Connect With Us:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
mark@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Which PE Exam is the Easiest as We Look Back in 2023
“What’s the easiest of the five PE Civil Exams? 🤔'' That's one question we get all that time, and so I decided to jump into it again. While they’re all difficult and there’s no way around it, the latest NCCES report and other data make it clear which one may be a little less of a challenge. If you’re not sure which one to take, you’ll want to listen to this episode. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
A brief overview of the PE exam and the exam prep landscape
The two "easiest" and the hardest PE exam overall
Why the huge number of standards for the Transportation exam is actually a positive
The one thing that makes the Water Resources exam a good option
Two things that makes the Geotech exam more challenging
How to choose your exam: Should you really go for the "easiest?"
Insider exam tips from our private community of PE test-takers
When we'll roll out our PE course update to meet the new NCEES specifications
A brand new course we just released to help you become a Floodplain Manager
How you can join the waiting list for our California Seismic and Survey review courses
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
PE Civil Transportation Exam Specification
PE Civil Water Resources Exam Specifications
PE Civil Geotechnical Exam Specifications
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Floodplain Manager Review Course
California Seismic & Survey Courses (Waiting List)
Connect With Us:
CEA - Are Civil Engineers Going to a 4-Day Work Week?
What would your life look like if you could take every Friday off? After the remote/hybrid work trend sparked by COVID, there’s now a new one: the four-day workweek. In this episode, I talk to Mark about this new trend that’s getting traction in other industries, and if it will ever become a thing for us civil engineers. Who wouldn’t like that, right? 😂
Tune in to Learn:
The origins of the 4-day workweek trend way back in the COVID era
What’s the 4-day workweek? Will you work only 32 hours with Fridays off?
The time and location flexibility that comes with the trend
How it impacts deadlines, workflows, and deliverables
What are the tech tools that make it possible?
How is the civil engineering industry implementing the trend?
The negative side of the trend for firms and organizations
A pro of the trend for those who don’t want to be fully retired
The biggest challenge of implement the 4-day workweek in civil engineering
CEA-approved recruiters that can help you find the flexible work you want
FREE Download:
Our Exam Prep Resources:
Certified Floodplain Manager Review Course
Connect With Us:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Flood Insurance, Certifications, and Helping the Community with Jared Coleman
Wondering what a career in Water Resources looks like? 🤔 Then this episode is for you! Today, I interview Jared Coleman, a Water Resources engineer and a CFM who’s worked in both the private and public sectors. He dives into what you can expect from each, how to choose one, as well as the CFM credential and the work he does in floodplain management with it. If you ever wondered how to get this credential you’ll want to listen to this one, for sure. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
What his current work as a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) look like
What the CFM Certification is (and how it fills in the 4-year gap between the FE and PE)
How to become a CFM (plus a resource that helps you breeze through that)
Common issues with project submittals in flood-prone areas
Working for private vs public companies: the pros and cons you should consider
The biggest challenge in sustainable urban development today
A brand new sustainability measure being implemented in Water Resources right now
A secret method to pass the FE and PE exams building on the topics you're good at
Should you take the PE Environmental Exam as a civil engineer in Water Resources?
His top tip for young civil engineers starting out to "find themselves" in the field
What organizations can you join as a CFM or a civil engineer in Water Resources?
FREE Download:
Resources Mentioned:
Certified Floodplain Manager Credential
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
City of AuroraColorado Association of Floodplain Managers
American Society of Civil Engineers
Connect With Jared:
LinkedInjcoleman@auroragov.org
CEA Exam Prep Resources:
Certified Floodplain Manager Review Course
Connect With Us:
CEA - Regulations, Sustainability, and Engineering With Sam LaMontanaro
Today’s guest is Sam Lamontanaro, a Director of Engineering of Aufgang Architects. We dive into the challenges of sustainability, discussing New York's push for electrification and the ditching of fossil fuels, which will probably get to other states as well. So, from the next decade’s energy-efficient designs and water storage to the value of a PE license for it, we cover it all here! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The advantage of growing up with a family with the same interest
How do architecture and engineering work together?
New York’s law 097 to reduce carbon footprints in buildings (and by when)
The challenge of electrifying buildings and removing fossil fuels
The impact of obtaining a Professional Engineer license
How should you go about mentoring young engineers?
The importance of field experience to gaining insights you don’t get from a book
The challenges of balancing sustainable designs and reasonable costs
Our Partner:
FREE Download:
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Department of Iron and Protection
Connect With Sam:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course Civil PE Review CourseCivil PE Depth Review Courses
Certified Floodplain Manager Review CoursePE CBT Exam Simulator
Civil FE Practice ExamsPE Breadth Practice ExamsPE Depth Practice Exams
Join the CEA Family:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - The PE Journey From Uruguay to Texas with Harald Adler
Are you an international civil engineer who got your degree in another country and wants to become a PE in the US? Then this episode is for you! This week I talked to Haral Adler, who details his journey coming from Uruguay to passing his FE & PE in the US and validating his foreign credentials and work experience to get his license. If you find yourself in the same shoes, this episode is a must if you want to be a PE in the US!
Tune in to Learn:
How to register with NCEES as an international civil engineer with foreign credentials
With his two-and-a-half-month exam prep schedule you can steal
A new mix of breadth and depth questions he got on his exam that you can get on yours
Tips for those taking the Construction Depth Exam on the PE
How to get "unstuck" on theory problems when you don't know what to do
The tool he used to take a full-blown CBT practice exam that simulated the real PE
Why he chose Civil Engineering Academy to help him pass the PE Exam
What he enjoyed the most about The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The process of actually getting the PE license after passing the PE Exam
Our Partner:
FREE Resource:
The Ultimate Civil PE Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
LV World of Concrete Conference
Texas Board of Professional Engineers
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Connect With Harald:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - The Ultimate Certified Floodplain Manager Review Course
Have you seen the “CFM” initials after someone’s name and wondered what it is and how to get it? 🤔 Then this is for you! In this episode, I talk with Matt Fanghella about what the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification is, what goes into the CFM exam, his own journey jumping through the hoops to prepare for it alone, and a brand new prep course he put together to help you become a CFM too. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
What’s the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Certification?
What professionals should be looking into becoming a CFM
What does the CFM Exam look like and what goes into it?
Matt’s 5-month journey to becoming a CFM
What he faced in his journey that led him to create the first CFM prep course
Why take The Ultimate Certified Floodplain Manager Review Course?
Key roles and responsibilities of a Certified Floodplain Manager
The professional and financial impacts of having the CFM designation
Why CFMs will be needed more than ever in the future
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Certified Floodplain Manager Review CourseFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Virginia’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
The Ultimate Certified Floodplain Manager Review Course
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - Acing the Water Resources Depth Exam with Cameron McLaurin
Picture this, you work in Transportation and have experience in Construction. Which PE exam do you take? Water Resources! “What?” That’s right. 😂 Today’s guest is Cameron Mclaurin, a previous student of our course who did exactly that, and he explains why in this episode. He also reveals some sweet exam prep tips that helped him, and some guidelines on what to do on test day.
Tune in to Learn:
His views on his decision to ditch the FE in school
The challenges of passing the FE Civil Exam seven years out of school
How career opportunities he didn't get prompted him to pursue licensure
What he does for work at the New York DOT
A job flexibility aspect when working for a DOT that you'll love
Why he chose The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
His biggest challenge preparing for the PE Exam (and how you can handle that)
The unusual reason why he chose the Water Resources Exam
One way to get your hands on the codes and standards without going broke
What that caught him off guard in the breadth section
Exam day tips and and how the procedures work at your testing center
Non-studying things you should not neglect when preparing for the PE
Does he recommend The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course?
Our Partner:
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate PE CBT Exam Simulator
New York State Department of Transportation
Connect With Cameron:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course
Civil PE Review CourseCivil PE Depth Review Courses
Certified Floodplain Manager Review Course
Join the CEA Family:
Free CEA CommunityFree NewsletterYouTube ChannelInstagramTwitter
LinkedInisaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Engineers in Action and Crushing His PE with Brenton Kreiger
Struggle to find time to study for your PE Exam or lack motivation to do it? Then check out this interview with Brenton Kreiger! He does awesome work with Engineers in Action building bridges in underserved communities across the globe. And guess what? He managed to pass his Structural PE Exam with a flexible work schedule given his remote team in different time zones! 😲
Tune in to Learn:
His journey switching from Environmental to Structural Engineering
What does the work of a Structural Engineer in bridge design looks like?
What is Engineers in Action global initiative and the work is does worldwide
The two ways you can get involved with Engineers in Action
His motivation for going for his PE license (and why you should know yours)
How he balanced exam prep and work with a remote team in different time zones
The time management technique he used to find study time in his busy schedule
Advice for those preparing for the Structural depth exam on the Civil PE
A Structural topic that appeared the most on his PE Exam
Why you should get a PE review course help you own your studies
The #1 thing you need to do to in your exam prep to crush the PE exam
What he thought about The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Our Partners:
FREE Resource:
Resources Mentioned:Engineers In Action
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
NCEESUniversity of California, Berkeley
Connect With Brenton Kreiger:
brenton.kreiger@eiabridges.org
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
FE Practice ExamsPE Breadth Practice Exams
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - The Exciting World of Geotech with Kimberly Martin
Are you in the Geotech world? Or even better, a woman in Geotech? 🤔 Then you’ll want to listen to this interview with Kimberly Martin, an engineer who’s been knee-deep in Geotech from Day 1 and now leads the sustainability efforts for Keller in North America! 😲 In this episode, she details her own journey and experiences in the field to help you craft your own successful career in the Geotech world as well. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The value of advanced degrees for a career in Geotech
What’s sustainability in geotechnical engineering?
The areas of Geotech you can go into
The crucial work of geotech engineers for any project
Her international work experience as a geotechnical engineer
What she does at the Sustainability Department at Keller North America
An easy way to get your foot in the door at global companies like Keller
Advice for women to thrive in geotechnical engineering
Career challenges and how to overcome them
Best organizations for geotech engineers and women in Geotech to join
Tips for engineers going into management
Why geotech rocks and why it might be the perfect fit for you
The best ever tip to pass your professional exams
Getting the PEng in Canada with the PE
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
Deep Foundations Institute (DFI)
Sustainability in Deep FoundationsASCE
Geo-Institute ChaptersGeo-Institute YouTube ChannelBridges to Prosperity
University of ArizonaUniversity of Texas at AustinArizona State UniversityCenter for Bio-Mediated and Bio-Inspired GeotechnicsExxonMobilNational Science Foundation
Connect With Kimberly:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - The Future of Tall Wood Structures with Mark Oakeson
Is mass timber the future for tall buildings in seismic regions? 🤔 Well, it may be! In this episode, Mark and I discussed the Tallwood Shake Table Test, which tested cross-laminated timber (CLT) as an alternative material for seismic zones. Contrary to concrete frames that crack in the face of seismic forces, CLT uses a low-damage system! 😲 Check it out ⬇️
Tune in to Learn:
A seismic testing of tall wood structures called the Tallwood Shake Table Test
The promising future of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a construction material
The sustainability of wood vs traditional concrete and steel
Enhancing the fire resistance of wood, especially when used in taller structures
The cost implication of wood compared to traditional materials
Addressing specific downsides of wood before adopting it for tall structures
Our Partner:
FREE Resource:
The Ultimate Civil PE Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
Free CEA CommunityFree NewsletterYouTube ChannelInstagramTwitter
LinkedInisaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - A Career In Transportation Engineering with Case Fulcher
With the infrastructure bill and autonomous vehicles, transportation will be a hot industry for the years to come! So today, I interviewed Case Fulcher detailing what the work of a transportation engineer looks like, the software tools they use, the certifications that can help your career (and the ones that don’t), and a lot more! It’s a gold mine for those interested in going into the field, so you’ll want to give it a listen if you’re one of them. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
His unusual story switching from a career as a chef to Transportation Engineering
What the daily work of a Transportation Engineer looks like if you're considering it
What software do Transportation Engineers use — and that you should learn?
The biggest challenge in road safety today
How autonomous vehicles will impact the industry — and create a need for engineers
Does a Master's or PhD really matter for a career in Transportation?
2 aspects of Transportation Engineering that other engineering disciplines lack
A key piece of advice for civil engineers who want to pass the PE Transportation exam
A non-engineering topic that you should consider learning to supercharge your career
Our Partner:
FREE Resource:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
Connect With Case Fulcher:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - Archipelago Professional Services Network with Brian Liu
Here’s a fact: civil engineers go to school to learn civil engineering. So, does it mean you can't make your dream of working for yourself or having your own firm a reality? 🤔 Absolutely not! Today, my guest is Brian Liu, the founder of Archipelago. It’s a professional services network that helps you with all the backend business work needed to keep your engineering practice or firm running. Check it out! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
What the Archipelago professional services network is all about
A little-known deficiency in the AEC industry that Archipelago solves…once and for all
How Archipelago helps civil engineers who want to work as independent consultants
The business aspects the network helps civil engineers with in their private practice
What types of firms can join the Archipelago?
Advice for civil engineers who want to start their own firms —and why it’s easy today
FREE Resource:
The Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
Connect With Brian:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
Main WebsiteThe Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - Shaping Public Policy as a Civil Engineer with Jennifer Ziegler, PhD, PE
Did you know that policies to blend the PE license with other types of professional work, such as hairstylists, have been going around?! 😲 Today’s guest is Jennifer Ziegler, a civil engineer who’s been on the policy side of the profession, including on Capitol Hill. She dives into how these laws and acts affect your day-to-day, the current actions to make sure they serve the profession, and how you can — and why you should — help shape them as well.
Tune in to Learn:
How public policy impacts civil engineering — more than most civil engineers realize
How to get involved in shaping civil engineering policies...without being a politician
Jennifer's education journey into the policy side of the profession on Capitol Hill
What she does today for her water and environmental engineering work
Becoming the Vice-President of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute
6 mind-blowing, career-boosting reasons why you should become an ASCE member
FREE Resource:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI)
John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship
Kristina Swallow, PE., F. ASCE
ASCE New Face of Civil Engineering Awards
Nevada Department of Transportation
Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
Connect With Jennifer:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - The Best Places for Civil Engineers Ranked By ASCE with Mark Oakeson
Ever thought of moving to a different city for better career opportunities? Yes? 🤔 Then the ASCE has a selected number of them you can start with in their Best Places for Civil Engineers Index. This is a compilation of the top 10 best places in the country for civil engineers based on different factors that go into the life of a civil engineer. If you're considering a move, listen to this to find where to head to! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The top 10 best US places for civil engineers to work and live in 2023
3 important factors of a civil engineer's life used to come up with the list
Why the highest-ranked place is extremely attractive to those in Water Resources
The two places in the top 10 that were a big surprise this year — and why
The two main aspects that makes these places the best cities for civil engineers
What you should consider before moving into these places right away
How the remote and hybrid work aspects factors into the index
Our Partners:
FREE Resource:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
ASCE Best Places for Civil Engineers Index (2023)
CEA Episode #166 - The Declining Enrollment of Civil Engineers
Civil Engineering Academy Podcast Playlist
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
Main WebsiteThe Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review CourseThe Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - Crushing the Civil PE as a Mechanical Engineer with Brett Van Hazel
Here’s news you don’t hear every day: passing the Civil PE Exam as a mechanical engineer. Yeah, that’s what our guest today did…after 15 years out of school. 😲 Brett Van Hazel is a mechanical engineer who found himself working in more civil-related jobs his whole career and decided to switch his exam to Civil PE — and it worked! If you’re in the same situation but think you're stuck with the Mechanical PE, you need to listen to this episode!
Tune in to Learn:
Brett's journey to crush the Civil PE Exam...as a mechanical engineer
The Civil topics mechanical engineers tend to struggle with — and how to master them
How he managed to find time to study every day with wife and two kids
The breakdown of his 6-month exam prep plan you can steal
What caught him off guard on the exam that you should pay attention to
What made him choose CEA's PE review course that other courses don't deliver
One aspect of the course he couldn't believe was true — but worked on exam day
The importance of the PE license for every engineer's career goals and job opportunities
One key component of the course he knows is the main reason he passed the exam
What those preparing for the PE should have in mind while going through it
Our Partners:
FREE Resource:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Civil PE Construction Specifications
Connect With Brett:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
Main WebsiteThe Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - Crushing a Career in Environmental Engineering with Adrienne Burrows
With climate change becoming the biggest challenge ahead, environmental engineering will dominate the stage. If you have an itch for it and have been wondering how you can get into it as a civil engineer, this episode is for you! Our guest today is Adrienne Burrows, an engineer at Black and Veatch heavily involved in the environmental arena. She lays out her work in the field so you know what you’ll be doing and uncover what you need to succeed in it.
Tune in to Learn:
Her path going back to school for her second degree just to get into engineering
4 essential skills any engineer should have — neglect them at your own peril
When do people skills become an important part of an engineer's career?
The differences between working at smaller versus bigger firms
How to get involved with the projects you want, even if your firm has a rigid structure
The biggest work challenge faced by engineers today
Her top career tip for young engineers just starting out
3 tips to handle any type of problem at work
Why being a "jack of all trades" is necessary in the workplace — to some extent
How much highly technical work do engineers really use on their workdays?
Our Partners:
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Connect With Adrienne:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - Going for Your PhD in Water Resources with Riley Post
Not sure whether to go to grad school? Our guest today is Riley Post, a PhD Candidate who has been heavily involved in Water Resources for 10+ years operating reservoirs, locks, and dams! 😲 In this interview, he touches on how to decide between work experience versus academia, what may cause you to choose one over the other, and the value of the PE license for both (yes, you read that right…both!)
Tune in to Learn:
Riley's unusual path into Water Resources coming from Structural Engineering
Flood control reservoirs vs locks and dams (hint: most people get this wrong)
Why he went for a PhD and his research on the country’s flood control infrastructure
One question to ask yourself to decide whether you should go to graduate school
The definitive best time to tackle your Civil FE Exam
Why the PE matters even to those in academia — and especially to those out of it
Our Partner:
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
Top-Ranked R1 (Research) Universities
Connect With Riley:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
The Ultimate California Seismic Review Course
Join the CEA Family:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Crushing the Transportation Depth Exam with Wade Broussard
You can pass the Civil PE Exam as a repeat taker…if you go about it the right way. Today’s guest is Wade Broussard, who failed it on his first try, but instead of going on a downward spiral of negativity, he came up with a plan, became obsessed with it, and crushed his PE Transportation exam. In this episode, he dives into everything he did, from the headspace he was into his exam prep routine to test-taking strategies he used on exam day.
Tune in to Learn:
How Wade laid out a plan for his success on the PE Exam after failing it
How much preparation time he had and how he balanced work and study
Tips to those taking the Transportation depth section
How the codes are given to you on exam day (Hint: it's not what you think)
Time management tips for test day to keep you at ease during your exam
How The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course helped him and his experience with it
The secret to passing the PE Exam — and you're probably not doing it enough
What your mindset should be if you're a repeat taker
His guidelines for taking practice exams to put exam-like pressure on himself
How the CEA Community of students helped him keep the momentum in his exam prep
Logistics and lunch break tips for your exam day you should take to heart
Why should you choose Civil Engineering Academy over other courses?
Our Partner:
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Hydraulic Design of Highway CulvertsNCEES Transportation Practice Test
Connect With Wade:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
The Ultimate California Seismic Review Course
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - Crushing It as a Solopreneur Structural Engineer with Scott Wible
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own engineering firm, stop everything right now and give this a listen! Scott Wible, PE, SE, had that goal ever since his college years, worked hard with the goal in mind from Day 1 to learn the skills and pass his exams, and now is the owner of Wible Engineering. Today, he details his own journey and all the things he did to get to this point — which you can replicate to get there as well. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
His journey from structural engineer to structural engineering firm owner
How his years as a full-time engineer at a firm taught him the skills to start his business
How he passed the SE Exam on his first try — and tips for you to do the same.
Will the SE Exam be more difficult when it goes computer-based?
The 3 attributes you need to achieve professional success
The 4 biggest benefits to starting your own engineering firm
Being a solopreneur vs working with a team — plus one aspect that can help
How to overcome the challenge of balancing work and life as a business owner
How niching down can help you get client work flowing in…literally.
Should you scale up your engineering firm or stay solo?
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
SE ExamAluminium Design Manual
How to Win Friends & Influence People
Connect With Scott:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
The Ultimate California Seismic Review Course
Join the CEA Family:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Tips to Crush Your Structural Engineering PE Exam with Hannah Copeman
If you think you need to be studying every free second you find on your day in order to pass the PE Exam, think again. “What?! 😲” Here’s proof: Hannah Copeman crushed her Structural PE Exam on her first try doing the opposite. How, you ask? In this episode, she shares what worked for her, the realistic way to go about preparing for this thing, and how to kill it on exam day. It’s all in here! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
How she balanced full-time work with studying and passed the PE Exam on her first try
How much time do you need to prepare for the exam? I mean, the bare minimum?
Is the Civil FE harder than the PE? (Hint: It may be!)
The hardest part of the Civil PE exam — and it's not the technical content
The approach you should use to tackle questions on exam day
One aspect of the search function for the codes and standards you didn't know about
Why crushing the morning portion is the key to passing the exam
Her tips for those taking the Structural depth exam
What type of Structural Engineering theory questions you can expect on your exam
What score do you need on your practice exams to know you're ready?
Why your exam prep shouldn't be only about studying (yes, you read that right!)
Her 3 favorite things about The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate PE CBT Exam Simulator
CEA Quick Tip Video: Is the Civil FE Harder than the PE?
NCEES Civil PE Structural Practice Exam
NCEES Civil PE Exam Structural Specifications
Connect With Hannah:
CEA Exam Prep Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
The Ultimate California Seismic Review Course
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - Crushing Her FE and PE Exam Using CEA with Makenzie Allen
If you keep failing your exams over and over again and have started to think you don't have “what it takes,” stop…right now! Our guest today is Makenzie Allen, who took her FE exam three times and her PE exam twice! What made all the difference in her final, successful attempts at each? She did something during her studies that set herself up for success — and you should do too.
Tune in to Learn:
Her journey from the hair salon to the civil engineering world
Tips for women to make it through engineering school
Her experience passing her FE and PE exam with our courses after failing multiple times
The right way to deal with failure on your exams
One thing you should do if you keep failing your exams over and over again
2 little-known tips for those taking the Transportation depth exam
How can you prepare for conceptual problems on the PE Exam?
How to solve questions starting with the answer choices…not the problem statement
Do you still need the Civil Engineering Reference Manual in the CBT exam era?
Her biggest secret to passing the PE Exam that will hit you hard, but it's true!
What she enjoyed the most about The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Our Partner:
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate PE CBT Exam Simulator
The Ultimate Homework Planner
Civil Engineering Reference Manual20 Bonus Theory QuestionsAASHTO’s Green BookHighway Capacity ManualRoadside Design Guide BookSix-Minute Solutions (Transportation Depth Exam)Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
CEA 191 - A PE in the Philippines to a PE in USA with Jonathan Espiritu
Picture this: you’re a stay-home dad taking care of three kids while preparing for your exam. Interesting? That’s exactly how today’s guest started his journey toward becoming a PE in the US! In this episode, Jonathan Espiritu dives into the steps he took to get licensed in the US as a Filipino engineer, and dives into the tips fellow Filipinos and international engineers alike can use to crush their NCEES exams and do the same! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
His journey from the Philippines to oil & gas in Saudi Arabia to a civil engineer in the US
The main differences between the Philippines and the US in the civil engineering field
His FE exam prep as a stay-home dad with 3 kids (yes, you read that right!)
A time management technique he used to find study time he didn't think he had
How he found Civil Engineering Academy — and why it was crucial to his success
How a career opportunity led him to change his depth exam
3 tips for those taking the Civil PE Exam
The astonishing difference in difficulty between breadth and depth questions
Why you already have what it takes to crush theory problems on the PE
Tips for Filipinos interested in becoming licensed PEs in the US
What is the NCEES approval process like for international applicants?
Our Partner:
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Texas Department of Transportation
University of Saint Louis, Tuguegarao
Connect With Jonathan:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Working for the Federal Government as a Civil Engineer
Ever wondered how you can work as a civil engineer for the federal government? Then check this out: my guest today is Alex Kolkena, a professional civil engineer who worked his way into the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. In this episode, he details his own steps, dives into the pros and cons of working for the US government, and answers all your questions about how you can do the same! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
Alex's journey into civil engineering from the military side
How to land a job at the US Army Corps of Engineers — and what it's like working there
The two most notable military projects he worked on as an engineer in the armed forces
The biggest challenge of the Civil FE Exam and his top 2 tips to prepare for it
The tricky secret of the Civil PE Exam that makes you fail if you don't get it
How you should deal with failing your exams and how to go about your next attempt
Pros and cons of working for the federal government
FREE Download:
The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide
Resources Mentioned:
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Civil Engineering Reference Manual
Federal Employees Retirement System
Connect With Alex:
CEA Exam Prep Materials:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Navigating Stress in the Life of a Civil Engineer with Mark Oakeson
Do you feel like the work never ends? That you don’t you have enough quality time with your family? That you’re not as productive as before? If yes, then you might be stressed out. In this episode, Mark and I dive into how civil engineers can navigate the stress that comes with the work, from stress triggers and symptoms to ways to cope with it for your sanity.
Tune in to Learn:
Is Civil Engineering a stressful profession — if yes, is it worth it?
Subtle stress triggers you need to pay attention to in your day-to-day life
5 obvious signs you're completely stressed out that most engineers neglect
10+ strategies to get your stress levels down to zero
Decisions you make yourself add even more stress to your career
How hobbies can be effective tools to cope with stress (if done right)
Why the Quiet Quitting trend relates back to stress mismanagement
Our Partners:
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
Join the CEA Family:
CEA - The 2022 NCEES Squared Report with Mark Oakeson
If you plan to become a professional civil engineer, then this episode is for you! Today, Mark and I dive into the latest NCEES Squared report detailing the stats about its professional exams (aka your FE, PE, and SE exams), the current state of licensure in the country, and the organization's programs to help you track your PDHs and get licensed in other states — and even from other countries! 😲
Tune in to Learn:
The total number of test-takers by exam type
Insights into the SE Exam transition to CBT in 2023
The NCEES Records Program — and how it helps you get licensed in other states
An easy way to track all your PDHs in one place with the NCEES CPC tracking system
2 possible reasons for the decrease in the overall volume of exams
Why were the Surveying exams the only ones that had an increase in volume?
Places outside the US where you can take the PE exam and earn the PE license
2 STEM outreach organizations supported by the NCEES
The official NCEES podcast — and the story behind how it started
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
NCEES Advance PodcastUniversity of UtahNCEES
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
CEA – Energy Engineer to Entrepreneur with Sol Rosenbaum
If you’ve ever thought of going into management roles or even venturing out on your own and starting your own firm, then this will serve you well. My guest today is Sol Rosenbaum, who went from engineer to manager to firm owner in his 17+ years in the energy field. He dives into each one of these roles to help you understand their pros and cons and decide what’s a better fit for you. Check this out! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
Tips for engineers who want to start their own business, from a firm owner himself
The biggest business mistake Sol made when starting his own firm that you should avoid
4 reasons engineers don't start their own business — plus a simpler alternative to try
Considering a master's degree? There's one thing you need to know before you go for it
The 2 main certifications in the energy engineering world — and it’s not the LEED
The biggest challenge with implementing energy-efficient projects
The most common software tools used in the energy efficiency industry you should learn
Challenges engineers face going into management — and how to decide if it's for you
Our Partners:
Resources Mentioned:
Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
CertificationAssociation of Energy Engineers
Fannie Mae Green Financing Program
Freddie Mac Green Advantage Loan Program
Connect With Sol:
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Inside the Mind of a Transportation Engineer with Paul Slone
Want to go into Transportation Engineering? 🤔 Then this episode is a must! Our guest today is Paul Slone, a senior engineer with 31 years in the industry. He dives into the ins and outs of the field you need to consider, gives career advice you need to live by to set you up for success, and even details how much you can expect to make as a Transportation Engineer! 😉
Tune in to Learn:
How much money can you expect to make in the transportation industry?
A long-lasting problem faced by constantly Transportation Engineers
The biggest challenge of the Transportation industry today — and why it benefits you!
The best two types of transportation projects to work on, in Paul’s opinion
The standard transportation software tools you need to master
One aspect causing the promise of the Infrastructure Bill to fall short
3 things young professionals should to do that Paul wish he had done
How to correctly mentor younger professionals at work
Why engineers don't (naturally) make good managers — and how to learn the ropes
The single reason many engineers avoid management and leadership roles
What's the Slone Transportation Institute?
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
Federal Highway Administration
Synchro Plus SimTraffic Software
Beyondware SoftwareUniversity of Kentucky
Kentucky Transportation Center
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Georgia Department of Transportation
Connect With Paul:
pslone@chacompanies.comCHA Consulting
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Crushing the PE as a Single Mother of Two with Erin Friedman
Passing the PE exam on the first try is no small feat. But passing it on the first try after being out of the industry for 10 years and as a single, full-time working mother of two kids, that’s a huge deal. And guess what? Today’s guest did just that! 😲 In this episode, Erin Friednman unpacks all the aspects and the lessons that went into and came out of this incredible journey.
Tune in to Learn:
The challenges she faced getting back into the civil engineering industry after 10 years
The single most important tip for the FE Exam is to boost your chances of passing
How she passed her PE exam on her first try as a single, working mother of two kids
How much study time should you put into PE exam prep?
The resources she used to prepare for and crush the Transportation depth exam
A simple exam-taking strategy most PE takers neglect on exam day — but shouldn’t!
3 ways you can make a comeback into the industry — even if lacking the technical skills
The most underrated benefit of taking the PE exam to your career, even if you don't pass
A key element of your exam prep that's key to passing
Our Partner:
Resources Mentioned:
Connect With Ziad:
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses
isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
CEA - Dealing with Emergencies and Building a Career of Success with Ziad Mazboudi
Today’s guest is Ziad Mazboudi, a civil engineer with nearly 40 years of hands-on work experience in various projects, both in the private and public sectors, who also help with disaster and emergency responses. Building on his own successes and failures, he answers your most pressing career questions — and gives you the secrets to succeed at it. 😉
Tune in to Learn:
The importance of hands-on work experience on the job site for civil engineers
Why civil engineers do NOT just do what they specialize in
How to deal with emergencies and unexpected events in a project or at work
The single key trait that separates the best and the worst engineering managers
What it's like to be a civil engineer working in the public sector
Government vs private sector: which one is the best option for your own career?
What's the ASCE Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee?
3 tips to stay on top of your game in your professional career over the years
Why the PE license is a must-have for your civil engineering career
What is the best time to take your professional FE and PE exams?
Our Partners:
Built Bar (Use Code CIVAC at Checkout)
Resources Mentioned:
Master of Planning and Development Studies (MPDS)
ASCE’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
California’s Safety Assessment Program
American Public Works Association (APWA)American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)Cal Poly PomonaCaterpillar
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Connect With Ziad:
TransTech Engineers
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course