The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

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: Audible Freebie: CEA Newsletter Resources Mentioned: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course PE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams RISA 3D SAP 200 University of Texas at San antonio Connect With Esteban: LinkedIn Our Exam Prep Resources: Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List) FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Connect With Us: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Experienced geotechnical engineer Hannah Thomas shares the many career paths in the field, including field work, software, and sales. Topics covered include common misconceptions about geotechnical engineers, the importance of the PE exam, and finding a career path that excites you. Hannah also discusses her journey on LinkedIn and the benefits it brought to her.

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: Built Bar Resources Mentioned Skydio Drones DJI Drones CEA #110 (Construction Engineering Degree)Part 107 FAA Exam Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website Civil FE Review Course 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 CEA Community Free NewsletterYouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Discover how AI can assist with exam preparation and its limitations. Learn about using AI to develop a study schedule and practice theory problems. Find out how AI-generated solutions can supplement your study material and the importance of incorporating real problems in exam preparation.

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: Civil Engineer Gear Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses 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: Mark Oakeson Francisca Wijaya Cody Sims Marina Lima Matt Fanghella Marion Oakeson Lisa Oakeson Resources Mentioned Latest Live Workshop with Cody Sims CEA Blog Connect With Us: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

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: Civil Engineer Gear Resources Mentioned: ASCE Salary Report 2023 ASCE Website PE Civil Exam SE Exam 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: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com mark@civilengineeringacademy.com

Discover which PE Civil Exam is considered the easiest based on pass rates and exam difficulty. Learn about the transportation exam's advantages, why water resources may be a good option, and the challenges of the geotech exam. Get insider tips from a community of PE test-takers and updates on upcoming courses.

Guest Mark discusses the trend of a 4-day workweek for civil engineers. Topics include its origins, time flexibility, impact on workflows, tech tools, challenges of implementation, and the negative side for firms. They also explore the feasibility of a hybrid work model and the legal challenges of transitioning to a shorter workweek.

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: The Civil PE Startup Guide Resources Mentioned: CFM Review Course Certified Floodplain Manager Credential Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Colorado School of Mines City of AuroraColorado Association of Floodplain Managers American Society of Civil Engineers Connect With Jared: LinkedInjcoleman@auroragov.org CEA Exam Prep Resources: Main Website Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses Certified Floodplain Manager Review Course FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Connect With Us: Free CEA Community Free NewsletterYouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

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: Built Bar FREE Download: The Civil PE Startup Guide Resources Mentioned: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course Aufgang Architects The Trump Organization NYC Local Law 97 COP-01 Department of Iron and Protection Connect With Sam: LinkedIn CEA Exam Prep Materials: Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses Certified Floodplain Manager Review Course PE CBT Exam Simulator Civil FE Practice Exams PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams Join the CEA Family: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com