The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

Three years and six attempts. That’s how long it took Raymond Muñoz-Tabares to pass the Civil FE — but he did it! ✅ If you’ve ever felt like giving up after a few failures, this is the pep talk you need. 👇Raymond is a civil engineer in Rhode Island who came to the US at the age of 10. He took (and failed) the Civil FE while still in school, and that’s when his 3-year, 6-attempt struggle began. ☹️In this episode, Raymond shares this whole unfiltered FE journey with you.This is a super relatable episode for any international civil engineer in the US, but also a super practical episode with tons of exam prep tips for all repeat takers who simply want to get this over with.So, tune in now and hear how Raymond turned three years of struggle into a huge career milestone, and everything he learned along the journey so you can do the same...faster. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:His 3-Year, 6-Attempt Journey to Conquer the Civil FEHis Different Approach to Practice Exams That You Should Steal!The Test-Taking Strategy He Used in His Last Try That You Should Use Too3 Things You Need to Know in Your Exam Prep to Be Ready on Exam DayHow He Found Civil Engineering Academy...and Went With ItThe Other FREE FE Resources He Used to StudyHis Top Piece of Advice for Repeat-Takers Like HimA Tip to Decode the NCEES Diagnostic Report to Improve for Your Next tryWhy He Chose Civil Engineering Over His Other Career OptionsWhy He Recommends Civil Engineering Academy🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:CEA’s Suggested FE Resources PageFundamentals of Engineering Review Book (11th Edition)FREE FE Review Basics on CourseraUniversity of Rhode Island📧 CONNECT WITH RAYMOND:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmunoz675🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

🚨 Attention! 🚨 The NCEES dropped their latest annual reports earlier this year — and these ones reveal some trends for both the profession and the licensure exam world we’re in. 📈 👇In this episode, we walk you through their annual report on all the things they did in the past year for the profession. This one comes with awesome news for both US and international engineers wanting to work abroad without worrying about license “validity” in other countries.Then, we dive into the Squared report — their dedicated report with the latest FE and PE stats. We’ve been tracking these since 2016, and they tell you a lot of things you need to know if you’re gearing up for any of these. 😉So, whether you're weeks out from your test or just starting to dip your toes into “prep mode,” this episode gives you the real numbers you need to make smarter moves. Go check it out! 🎧🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:Increasing Options to Take the FE and PE Exams InternationallyThe Increase in International Mobility Agreements for EngineersThe Rise of the FE as a Requirement to GraduatePolitical Threats to Professional LicensureAre More Engineers Taking the NCEES Exams?The Latest Civil FE Exam Pass RatesThe New Interactive FE Practice Exams by the NCEESThe Moment of the Year Most People Prefer to Take the Civil FEHow to Get a Digital Badge After Passing the FEIs the Number of PE Examinees on the Decline?The Easiest PE Exam to Pass on the First Try (According to the Data!)The Latest Repeat Taker Pass Rates on the Civil PE ExamsThe Switch of the SE Exam to CBT🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:2024 NCEES Squared Report2024 NCEES Annual ReportInterview With NCEES’s Officer of Exams, Tim MillerFE CBT Exam Simulator🎁 CEA FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ CEA REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 CEA PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Pulling your hair deciding between the Water Resources or Transportation PE exam? 😵‍💫 This week, we sit down with Josiah Ferguson, a civil engineer who was in the same boat…and made a call that worked really well. 😄Josiah works for the City of Shakopee on both water resources and transportation projects. But when it came time to take the Civil PE Exam, he had to pick one. The question is…which one?Which one do you choose when your job covers more than one of the five main Civil PE disciplines, or none of them? 🤔In this episode, Josiah walks you through how he made the call in favor of the Water Resources PE Exam…and what he did in his prep to crush it on the first try with not even three years of experience under his belt. 💪If you’re facing the civil PE exam soon, then this episode has the golden tips you need to not only pick which exam to prep for, but also what he learned and what caught him by surprise while he was doing so himself.🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:Why He Picked the Water Resources PE Exam While Also Working on TransportationHow to Choose Which Civil PE Exam to Take When None Applies to YouMinnesota’s Rules to Taking the PE Before 4 Years of ExperienceHis Original PE Study Plan...and the Moment He Realized it Wouldn’t Cut itWhy He Choose Civil Engineering Academy to Help HimHis Strategy to Taking Practice Exams in Your Prep (+ the Score to Aim for)What Caught Him by Surprise on Exam Day That You Should Know AboutAre the Morning Questions Still Easier Than the Afternoon Questions?The Overlooked Aspect All Test-Takers Need to Pass the PE ExamHis Top Tip for Those Facing the PE Exam Soon That Worked Really Well for HimWhat He Loved Most About Civil Engineering Academy's CourseThe Overlooked Aspect All Test-Takers Need to Pass the PE Exam🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:What PE Depth Exam Should I Take?PE CBT Exam SimulatorNCEES Water Resources Practice ExamMinnesota Society of Professional Engineers📧 CONNECT WITH JOSIAH:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Passing the PE Exam is one thing, but doing it as an immigrant, with language barriers, and after hitting a wall multiple times before already?! That’s a whole nother story — and it’s real! 😲In this episode, Hadi Al Azzawi jumps on the show to share his journey climbing a crazy steep hill to pass the Civil PE Water Resources Exam as an immigrant civil engineer in the US.From understanding the English used in the problems to juggling study time with family life, Hadi’s journey is full of hard-earned lessons for any international civil engineer out there in the same shoes right now.Also, if you’re taking the Civil PE Water Resources Exam, he has some top-notch resources and tips he learned after going through this thing himself…five times!If you’re an international civil engineer going through the hoops of getting your PE and feel like the odds are stacked against you, this episode gives you the tips to beat them. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:A Tip for Immigrants to Overcome the Language Barrier on the PEDid He Have to Take the Civil FE as an Immigrant?What You Really Need to Pass the FE That He Learned the Hard WayThe One Thing All Test-Takers Have in Common Regardless of Life DifferencesHow to Prep for the FE/PE With a Spouse and FamilyHis Tip to Fellow Repeat Takers to Stay in the GameHow He Used AI To Get Back on the Saddle After a FailWhat He Did to Pass as Repeat Taker After 5 TriesA Sneaky Exam Question That Caught Him Off GuardHis Go-To Method for Learning the Water Resources CodesHis Tip to Prep for the Most Feared Topic in the Water Resources ExamThe PE Resources That Helped Him the Most Among All the Ones He UsedA Tech Tool That Helped Him Learn All the Exam Prep Material🤝 OUR PARTNER:Built Bar🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:All-in-One Civil Engineering PE Exam Guide, by Dr. GoswamiAll-In-One Civil Engineering PE Practice Exams, by Dr. GoswamiSix-Minute Solutions (Water Resources Problems), by PPIKindle ScribeIsaac Wait Youtube ChannelASCE PE CoursesSchool of PEWashington State University📧 CONNECT WITH HADI:LinkedInalazawi.hadi@gmail.com🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Prepping for your exam isn’t a walk in the park. It’s hard. It  takes discipline. And you’ll want to quit more than once. (Been there. 😞) So, how can those who pass possibly keep going?! 😟It’s not a fancy study schedule, more study material, or some natural-born talent you weren’t blessed with.The real secret? 🤔Your “Why!”In this episode, I talk about why passing isn't just about studying. Instead, it starts with a compelling reason that matters to you.When your “Why” is strong, the "What” turns from a fuzzy goal into something real, and you do the “How” (aka the grind) even when you don’t feel like it.So, here, I share my own “why” back when I was grinding for the PE exam with a full-time job and a growing family…plus the top 5 reasons I hear from our own students why they’re chasing the FE or PE themselves. 🎯If you’ve been dragging your feet on studying or wondering how other people keep going when life gets crazy — this one’s for you!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What Passing Your Exam Really MeansMy Own “Why” for Taking the PE ExamThe Truth About Exam Prep Nobody Tells YouHow Purpose Fuels PersistenceThe Top 5 "Whys" We Hear From Our Students4 Ways to Keep Your Why Front and Center🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:2025 Civil Engineering Salaries Update🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH US!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.

From frustrated PE examinee after 4 failed tries to…wait for it…future firm owner?! 😲 That’s exactly what you read!Our guest today is Colin Tinsley, who took the Construction PE exam not once, not twice...but five times before finally seeing the big, green “PASS” on the screen. 😅 Two paper-based attempts. Two more tries after the switch to CBT. Then, finally, with the help of our Ultimate Civil PE Construction Review Course, Colin crushed it on his fifth try. ✅ 👷In this episode, he dives into his journey as a repeat taker himself and how he managed to stay in the game at a point where most people would’ve quit…so you can, too.Also, he dives into how the PE license changed his career trajectory. He was questioning his “place” in the field, but when he finally passed, he started to plan the launch of his own engineering firm. 💪So, whether your next attempt will be your first or fourth try, this episode shows it can be done…plus what’s possible for your career when you stay in the game until you get it done. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:His First Four Failed Attempts at the Paper-Based and CBT PE ExamsHow He Got it Done on His Fifth Try With CEAHis Own Engineering Business That Made Him Choose the Construction PEThe Passing Score on the PE...and Why You Shouldn’t Worry About ItWhat the Construction PE Exam Focuses and The Key to Get Over ItWhy You Shouldn't Change Your Exam After a Fail (From a Repeat Taker Himself!)His Biggest Tip for Those Taking the Construction PEHow He Managed to Fix His Self-Doubts After Multiple FailuresWhat He Liked About The Ultimate Civil PE Construction Review CourseHow Mentorship Can Also Help With Your ExamsHis Biggest WARNING for Those Who Want a Pass the Construction PEHow You Should Go About Answering and Reviewing Theory QuestionsHow the PE Changes Your Career TrajectoryWhat Part of Our Construction PE Review Course Helped Him the Most🤝 OUR PARTNER:Built Bar🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Should You Change Your Civil PE Exam?100 Bonus Construction Theory Problems📧 CONNECT WITH COLIN:ctinsley@th-consultingservices.com🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

The concept of “Smart Cities” is here! 🚨 Immersive digital twins to replicate and augment reality with real-time data is not the future — it's happening right now at the Port of Corpus Christi! 😱In this episode, I’m joined by Darrell Keach, Business Systems Manager for the Port of Corpus Christi, and Rex Hansen, Principal Project Manager at Esri, to show a live demo of their cutting-edge digital twin project…. 👇A massive 3D replica of the port that pulls in REAL-TIME data to track ship movement, enhance safety, boost operational efficiency…and even preview future activity in the port!Yeah…you read that right. This isn’t theory. They built it. And it’s working.It started with ports, but the tech they built for this can be replicated for other uses, from individual transportation hubs like railway stations and airports…all the way to entire counties! 😲This is one of those rare episodes that gets you thinking: “Dang, is this where we’re headed?” And the answer is…yes. 👍Check this out and see how your role as a civil engineer might change in the (very) near future.🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:Why the Port of Corpus Christi invested in a digital twinHow digital twins fit into the "Smart City" conceptThe rise of game engines in the civil engineering industryHow they pulled in real-world data into a living 3D modelA sneak peek at their live demo (yes, they show what it actually looks like!)How they got around the problems of dealing with a big data setUsing the model to prevent incidents before they even happenWhere digital twins are heading next in civil, transportation, and beyondWhat this means for you as a civil engineer (and how to future-proof your skillset)🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Digital Twin TechnologyWhat is GIS (Geographic Information Systems)?Keynote About the ProjectEsriPort of Corpus ChristiUnityUnreal EngineThe Acceleration Agency (TAA)TAA's OPTICS Project📧 CONNECT WITH REX:LinkedInrhansen@esri.com📧 CONNECT WITH DARRELL:LinkedIndkeach@pocca.com🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

🚨 Attention! 🚨 The ASCE just dropped their latest Infrastructure Report Card…and in this episode, we break it down for you so you know where the work (and money!) is headed! 😉The ASCE Infrastructure Report Card is an in-depth analysis of the conditions of 18 major infrastructure categories across the US. The current overall grade? 🤔A solid C — which, believe it or not, is actually a step in the right direction — but it’s not all good news either. 😞Some categories crucial to our own economy and day-to-day life — or worse, our safety — saw grades slip, and there’s still a big investment gap to make sure our infrastructure is not in bad shape…or even close to a complete crash! 😨So, this is a great way to understand where more civil engineers will be needed, where the money is going, and what kinds of projects are likely to take off in the coming years…so you can position yourself in the right place, at the right time. 😉 💰🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What the Different Infrastructure Grades MeanWhat the Findings of the Report Card Means for Civil EngineersThe Overall Grade for America's Infrastructure...And WhyThe 2 Categories That Received a Lower GradeA BIG Trend That's Getting into All Aspects of the IndustryThe Future of the Energy Industry With Increasing DemandA Non-Technical Bottleneck Slowing Things DownThe Infrastructure Factors ASCE Considers to Come Up With the GradesAll the Grades of Every Infrastructure CategoryThe Reason Why the Lowest-Graded Categories Got the Lowest GradesThe Investment Gap for Each Category...And How to Solve It3 Action Items the ASCE Recommends to Improve US InfrastructureThe Biggest Threat to US Infrastructure (And What to Do About It)One Aspect of Infrastructure Projects That HAVE to Get Better🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:ASCE Infrastructure Report Card Website2025 Infrastructure Report Card (Complete)2025 Infrastructure Report Card (Executive Summary)Map for America's Infrastructure Conditions🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

What’s it like to crush the Civil FE Exam on the first try, with less than two months of exam prep…all while still juggling a full course load in grad school?! 😮Just ask Aggie Li. 👇Aggie is a civil engineering master’s student at UMass Amherst who became an EIT using The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course, and is now headed for an internship position at Burns & McDonnell.In this episode, Aggie brings all the good energy as she shares her decision to take the FE early, why she felt she needed a course even with university resources provided for free, and how she carved out study time in an already packed weekly schedule.If you’re a student in either undergrad or grad school and needs that motivation to lock in and get this done before work and life get in the way, this episode will fire you up! Aggie’s got a bright future ahead, and after listening, you will feel like you do, too. Guaranteed! 😉 🎧🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:Her Decision to Take the FE While Still a Student (And You Should, Too!)Why She Wanted a FE Review Course Even With Free University MaterialHow Much Prep Time Do You Need for the FE as a Student?The ONE BIG Reason She Picked Civil Engineering AcademyWhat Her Weekly Study Schedule for the FE Looked Like While in SchoolThe Things She LOVED About CEA’s FE Review CourseThe 2 Topics She Struggled With the Most on the FEAre the AIT Questions Really "Bran-New" Question Types?Her Take on Taking Practice Exams That Most People Don't GetWhat Score Should You Aim for When Taking Practice Exams?Why the FE CBT Exam Simulator is One of the BEST Features of the CourseA Down-to-Earth Tip For Those Prepping for the FE...But Unsure About ItHow She Triumphs as a Woman in STEM (And How You Can Too)🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:FE Review Courses Ranking, by Test Prep InsightPE Transportation Course WaitlistUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst📧 CONNECT WITH AGGIE:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEAWebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Here’s a career path that doesn’t even come to mind when you hear “Structural Engineering,” but uses the same basic knowledge and it’s just as lucrative — Telecommunications. 📡 👇This week, we sit down with Sudarshan Kasera, P.E., PMP, a Structural Engineer by education who now applies all that knowledge of the design of buildings and bridges to designing communication towers across the US at Crown Castle. 📶In this episode, Sudarshan breaks down how he managed to get into this “niche of a niche” career (almost)…and why it’s a good idea for other civil engineers to consider as well — plus how to do it.What codes and standards do you need to know? Which software do you need to learn? What licenses do you need to get? 🤔Whether you're a young engineer looking for a career path that’s not the traditional fields, or a practicing engineer curious about a new direction, it’s all in here for you! 😉 🎧🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What Makes Telecom a Good Career Choice — Money-WiseWhat He Does Today as a Structural Engineer in the Telecom WorldThe Fascinating Aspect of Working in Telecom (And It's Not What You Think)4 Codes You Need to Know If You Want to Get into TelecomWhat are the Foundation Types Used to Support Telecom Towers?The Most Used Software Tools in the Telecom WorldWhich Licenses Do You Need to Work in Telecom?His Top PE Exam Prep Tip That Made His Journey (Way) EasierHow a Review Course for the PE Helps You Balance Work and Study TimeThe Easy Way Companies Can Get Their Engineers Licensed...FasterThe Importance of a Good Support System When Prepping for Your ExamsIs the PMP a Good Addition to the PE License?His Tips for Young Civil Engineers to Get Into Telecom (+ How to Do It)🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:California Civil Engineering ExamsPMP CertificationTIA-222-IInternational Building Code (ICC IBC-2024)ASCE-7AISC 360tnxTowerMStowerRISA-3DMathcadCrown CastleUniversity of Cincinnati📧 CONNECT WITH SUDARSHAN:LinkedIn🎁 CEA FREEBIES:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com