The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

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: Audible Namecheap Resources Mentioned: Certified Energy Manager (CEM) CertificationAssociation of Energy Engineers LEED Certificatione Quest Energy Software Fannie Mae Green Financing Program Freddie Mac Green Advantage Loan Program SBA 504 Green Loans Connect With Sol: LinkedIn The Engineering Mentor CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

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: Audible Resources Mentioned: Federal Highway Administration The Highway Capacity Software The Highway Capacity Manual Synchro Plus SimTraffic Software PTV Visum CEA Ep #137 with Sam Lyttle Beyondware SoftwareUniversity of Kentucky Kentucky Transportation Center Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Georgia Department of Transportation Connect With Paul: LinkedIn pslone@chacompanies.comCHA Consulting CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

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: Namecheap Resources Mentioned: CEA Practice exams AASHTO’s “Green Book” Highway Capacity Manual Connect With Ziad: LinkedIn CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

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: Audible Built Bar (Use Code CIVAC at Checkout) Resources Mentioned: Master of Planning and Development Studies (MPDS) US Green Building Council 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: LinkedIn TransTech EngineersCEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Join Amanda McFarland as she shares her journey of passing the PE exam against all odds. Learn how she balanced work, family, and studying for the exam. Discover the benefits of a review course and valuable resources for exam preparation. Explore the challenges of switching career paths as a mom and find out why practicing under exam-like conditions is important. Don't miss this fascinating episode!

All technical education is important to be a successful civil engineer — but not alone. Today’s guest is Yara Hammad, a bridge engineer who came all the way from Egypt and had to stretch out of her comfort zone to make it in this field. From going to grad school and passing her professional exams to dealing with technical challenges at work and being a woman in a male-dominated field, she dives into the non-technical skills that helped her along the way.  Tune in to Learn: The #1 challenge she faced as a woman in civil engineering — and how to solve it One possible reason why women apply to a lot fewer job positions than men 2 skills you need to learn to supercharge your career but that are not taught in school The most challenging aspect of becoming a civil engineer — and the most rewarding A piece of career advice to young professionals she had to learn the hard way 2 exam prep tips that will make your FE or PE exam way easier What is it like to have a spouse that's also a civil engineer? Resources Mentioned: Toastmasters American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) California State University, Northridge Cal Poly Pomona Our Partners: Built Bar NamecheapUse CIVAC for 10% off! Connect With Yara: LinkedIn CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Do you work on the job site every day and think you don’t have time or energy left over to study for your PE exam? 🤔 Then think again! Our guest today is Alex Kuhn, a boots-on-the-ground construction manager who balanced preparing, taking, and passing his PE exam on his first try while working on some really massive and complex projects every single day. How did he do it? Give this episode a listen and you’ll find out! 😉 Tune in to Learn: How to find time to study for the PE Exam...even if you work out in the field every day 2 effective test-taking strategies for the PE Exam (breadth and depth) An exam prep tip to help you avoid feeling overwhelmed during your preparation What made Civil Engineering Academy's PE course different from other prep courses How he chose his depth section when he's worked in more than one discipline How to tackle theory questions — and how non-theory practice problems can help 2 little-known secondary challenges of taking the PE Exam you never thought of What Alex enjoyed the most about CEA's The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The best two aspects of being a civil engineer Resources Mentioned: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course Civil Engineering Reference Manual, by PPI NCEES Civil PE Handbook NYC Water Department Connect With Alex: LinkedIn More CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Is civil engineering a good career choice? 🤔 In today’s episode, Dr. Ghanim Kashwani talks about why it is! He’s the first CEng in the UAE with both academic and hands-on experience, currently leading applied research efforts to translate academic discoveries into useful products for the industry. He also talks about the academic vs experience debate, the impact of AI, a topic engineer should study but usually neglect, and more! It’s all in here. 😉 Tune in to Learn: His journey to become the first Chartered Engineer (CEng) in the UAE An international trend regarding professional certifications — and why it matters What is the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and how did it start? A Japanese concept that led to his PhD — and how it can help with your life as well The Academia vs Experience debate: Are they really opposites? A method to give on-the-job experience to students in school — and it's not internships! Fundamental vs Applied Research: This is what made Edison more known than Tesla 2 non-engineering topics every civil engineer should get handle of How AI will change the civil engineering industry — and how you can adapt to it His #1 piece of advice for young professionals for a successful career The right definition of civil engineering you’ve never been told before Our Partners: Built Bar Namecheap Resources Mentioned: Ghanim’s past appearance (CEA #82) Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) Heriot-Watt University UAE Society of Civil Engineers Higher Colleges of Technology How to Talk Sustainability to your CFO, by HBR How AI Will Transform Project Management, by HBR Man of Iron, by Julian Glover Ikigai, by Francesc Miralles & Héctor García The Engineer's Wife, by Tracy Wood Rhino softwareCOP28 Connect With Ghanim: LinkedIn More CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Remote Work. Supply Chain issues. Rising interest rates. After all these Covid-19 side effects, what’s the state of the construction industry today? And most importantly, what’s ahead? What will change? What type of projects will boom? 🤔 That’s what Mark jumps on to talk about after attending a roundtable involving all three key players in the AEC industry. Give it a listen! 😉 Tune in to Learn: What the Utah Business Roundtable is — and why it applies everywhere else The current state of labor and wages in the construction industry (with numbers!) Today's biggest issue in the construction workforce hurting the industry A talent-seeking trend causing higher employee turnover to rise…and wages! The types of housing and commercial projects that will be booming in the future The biggest disruption in the construction world caused by COVID and its consequences How contractors dealt with long lead times and penalties for delays on projects How construction workforce preferences changed as a result of COVID Our Partners: Audible Use CIVAC for 10% off! Resources Mentioned: Utah Business Magazine Engineering Issues with Supply Chain Management (CEA Ep #134) More CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

How about passing your PE exam on your first try but taking it twice? Confusing? 🤔 Today’s guest did just that! Ozzy Khan prepared for his PE exam for 13 months, while balancing getting married, moving to a new place, and working on the job site every day…all at the same time! He shares his exam experience, the best exam prep tips that boosted his results, and how The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course was of incredible help…in just 1 month! 😉  Tune in to Learn: How can you technically pass the PE exam on your “first” try but in fact take it twice How Ozzy balanced a new home, a new job, getting married, and studying for the PE Aspects of his 13-month PE preparation plan you can steal Differences between preparing for the PE exam while working in the field vs in the office Why engineers working in the field should get their PE license — and it's not money Must-have resources to crush the Transportation depth exam How many alternative-item types (AIT) questions can you expect on your exam? The secret to solving conceptual problems effectively How The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course helped boost his exam prep — in 1 month! 3 magic PE exam prep tips to supercharge your study journey The importance of practice exams for your exam prep Our Partner: Audible Built Bar Use CIVAC for 10% off! Resources Mentioned: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course Civil Engineering Academy practice exams PPI School of PE Engineering Education & Training Advanced Engineering Institute Testmasters National Grid University at Buffalo Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Connect With Ozzy: LinkedIn CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com