The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

Isaac Oakeson
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Sep 17, 2021 • 25min

CEA - Celebrating 100 Episodes of CEA!

We've hit the 100th episode of the Civil Engineering Academy Podcast! It’s been a really fun and educational journey for us, and we truly hope it’s also been great for you. Actually, we’ve had so many interesting guests and covered so many topics that we know we could help you with something. Celebrating this important milestone, today’s episode is an overview of our journey so far, with our top 10 podcast episodes for you to listen to again. Also, Isaac dives into why he started Civil Engineering Academy, where it’s at right now, and where he sees it in the future. Will he still be helping people with their exams? Listen to this to find out! Our Partners: PPI - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/ppi School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope CEA Resources Mentioned: CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com Top 5 CEA Podcast Episodes: The First Things to Do to Prepare for the Civil PE Exam - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-the-first-things-to-do-to-prepare-for-the-civil-pe-exam/id1490120985?i=1000458548927 We Started a Podcast! - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-we-started-a-podcast/id1490120985?i=1000458548931 Top Secrets to Pass the Civil FE Exam - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-top-secrets-to-pass-the-civil-fe-exam/id1490120985?i=1000459158895 The Top 5 Reasons Why Civil Engineering is A Great Field - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-the-top-5-reasons-why-civil-engineering-is-a-great-field/id1490120985?i=1000458548930 What is the Best Career Path for Civil Engineers? - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-what-is-the-best-career-path-for-civil-engineers/id1490120985?i=1000463267264 dditional Resources Mentioned: NCEES - https://ncees.org Engineer to Entrepreneur - https://engineer2entrepreneur.net
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Sep 8, 2021 • 30min

CEA - All That Goes Into a Demolition Plan with Mark Oakeson

While big, headline-making demolition projects certainly get our attention, the small ones require just the same amount of “engineering knowledge”. Today, Mark Oakeson jumps on the show to talk about a demolition project he just did. He explains all the details regarding how this type of project takes place in real life, from start to finish. What You’ll Learn: Difference Between Big and Small Demolition Projects What Goes Into the Preparatory Work Before the Actual Demolition Starts How to Assess the Reliability of the Existing Structure―And Why You Should How to Determine the Impacts on the Surrounding Buildings The Building Codes and Standards You Have to Follow What is a Demolition Plan? What Documents Should You Submit to Local Authorities? How to Inform the General Public About the Project and Its Impacts What is a Precast Double-T Beam? And a Corbel? How Seismometers Can Help Your Demolition Process Are Demolition Projects as Regular as Other Types of Projects? Why Demolition is One of the Most Exciting Projects to Work on Our Partners: Purple Mattress - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/purple School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope Resources Mentioned: CEA’s Video of Parking Garage Demolition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF04MOunIgo Episode on Youtube - https://youtu.be/V7IC8XrKYic International Building Code - https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/2018-i-codes/ibc/ AASHTO - https://www.transportation.org National Precast Concrete Association - https://precast.org Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) - https://www.udot.utah.gov CEA Resources: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
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Sep 2, 2021 • 25min

CEA - Improving Your Mental Wellbeing with Michelle Dickinson

Mental burnout, depression, anxiety...you name it. Mental health issues have always been around. It was when the pandemic hit, however, that it became obvious the true damage it can cause, especially on a personal level. If you want to know how to better handle such things when life gets tough, this episode is the #1 thing you need. Today on the show, Isaac chats with Michelle E. Dickinson, a Wellbeing Strategist, mental health advocate, TEDx speaker, and author. Building on her own childhood experience taking care of her mother who suffered from bipolar disorder, Michelle is now on a mission to normalize the mental wellbeing conversation. And as civil engineers who have to work, take professional exams, be a present mother/father, a lovely wife/husband, etc., this conversation is certainly for you, too. What You’ll Learn: Michelle’s Work in the Mental Health Field Her Childhood Experience Taking Care of Her Bipolar Mother How Your Experiences Can Shape Your Path in Life---And Your Career Michelle’s Expert Point of View on the “Great Resignation” Her #1 Tip for a Less Stressful Life Why Taking Care of Your Wellbeing---Physical, Emotional, and Mental---Matters The Process of Preparing and Delivering a TED Talk What Inspired Her to Write Her Book Why the Diet for Your Body Is Just as Important as the “Diet for You Mind” How Daily Self-Audits And Routine Can Help You Fight Tough Times Why You Need a Therapist---Even Before You Think You “Actually” Need One Our Partners: Built Bar - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/built PPI - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/ppi Resources Mentioned: Michelle’s Program for Organizations - https://www.careforyourpeople.com Michelle’s Personal Website - https://www.michelleedickinson.com Breaking Into My Life, by Michelle E. Dickinson - https://breakingintomylife.com Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com National Alliance on Mental Illness - https://nami.org Man Therapy - https://mantherapy.org CEA Resources: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
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Aug 26, 2021 • 24min

CEA - The Surfside Florida Condo Collapse with Mark Oakeson

In every structural design class, students are presented with case studies of historical structural failures to learn from. And the case of the condominium collapsed in Surfside, Florida, will certainly be one of them in the future. Today, Mark Oakeson jumps back on to walk you through some of the aspects he thinks may have led the building to collapse. To do this, he combines his own career and work dealing with structural design on a daily basis with assessment reports evaluating the condo’s conditions. What You’ll Learn: ● Well-Known Structural Failures of the Past ● Difference Between The ASD and LRFD Design Methods ● Did the Condo’s Design Meet the Requirements of the Code of the Time? ● The Mistake That Possibly Started the Structural Damage to the Building ● What Spalling Concrete Is --- And Why It Was a Warning Sign ● Could We Have Avoided The Collapse? ● How Can We Avoid Other Tragedies Like This? Our Partners: Built Bar - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/built School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope Resources Mentioned: Surfside Condo Collapse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfside_condominium_collapse Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacoma_Narrows_Bridge_(1940) Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collapse Pemberton Mill Collapse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemberton_Mill CEA Resources: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
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Aug 19, 2021 • 42min

CEA - Egos, Vulnerability, and Personality Traits with Salman Raza

Effective communication in the workplace would solve most of the problems we, engineers, face every day. Yet it’s incredibly hard to achieve it. Do you feel like heated situations in the office could be avoided by simply knowing how to deal with other people’s personality traits as well as your own? Well, then this episode is for you. Salman Raza has been advising companies on their organizational culture, strategy, and infrastructure for a long time with his consultancy business Razalution Bureau. He teaches managers, leaders, and employees how to communicate and interact effectively in professional settings. Tune in to find out how you can do the same! What You’ll Learn: ● How Salman Found “What Makes Him Tick” ● Why Most Engineers are Introverts---And How to Use It as a Strength ● How to Have Effective Communication in the Office ● How People’s Different Personality Traits Influence Communication ● How to Assess Your Individual Situation in Your Workplace ● Why Managing Your Own Emotions Can Influence Other People’s Behavior ● The Power of Vulnerability---And How You can Use it to Your Advantage Our Partners: Built Bar - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/built Late Night Entrepreneur - https://latenightentrepreneur.com Resources Mentioned (some links are affiliate links): Salman Raza (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/salman-raza-a6173926 Razalution Bureau - www.razalution.co Life’s Non-Conformities, by Salman Raza - https://salmanraza.net Hofstede Insights - https://www.hofstede-insights.com Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics Keirsey Temperament Sorter - https://www.keirsey.com How Will You Measure Your Life?, by Clayton M. Christensen - ibit.ly/j28i CEA Resources: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
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Aug 12, 2021 • 30min

CEA - How Racism and Economics Affect Infrastructure with Collin Yarbrough

Civil engineering is famously known for its positive impacts on society once a project is completed and fully functioning. Today’s episode, however, will make you reflect on societal questions that play a crucial role in our communities long before the project is even approved. Today’s guest is Collin Yarbrough, a pipeline engineer, bakery owner, and the author of Paved A Way. During his graduate studies, he was required to write a paper that later turned into his groundbreaking book, which tells the stories of how infrastructure projects have been silently contributing to social issues such as racism. What You’ll Learn: ● How Collin Got into Engineering ● Collin’s Tough Life Period After the Recession of 2008 ● 3 Key Concepts to Make a Pivot in Life or Career ● What Led Him to Write His Book ● How Infrastructure Projects Can be Tied to Social Issues ● How Cities Can Avoid These Social Problems ● What Engineers Themselves Can Do About it Our Partners: School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope KiwiCo - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/kiwi Resources Mentioned (some links are affiliate links): Collin Yarbrough (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-yarbrough-1b3a6717 Collin Yarbrough (Email) - yarbrocr@gmail.com Collin Yarbrough (@collinwritesdesign) - https://www.instagram.com/collinwritesdesign/?hl=en Paved A Way: Infrastructure, Policy and Racism in an American City, by Collin Yarbrough - ibit.ly/9E3L The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, by Richard Rothstein - ibit.ly/m3M4 Clarkson University- https://www.clarkson.edu Southern Methodist University - https://www.smu.edu Georgetown University - https://www.georgetown.edu Creators Institute - https://www.creator.institute Dallas Morning News - https://www.dallasnews.com Dallas Express - https://dallasexpress.com Nasher Sculpture Center - https://www.nashersculpturecenter.org Meyerson Symphony Center - https://www.dallassymphony.org CEA Resources: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
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Aug 5, 2021 • 30min

CEA - How Surveyors and Civil Engineers Work Together with Cory George

“Your design is only going to be as good as the survey that it’s drawn on”. That’s how today’s guest emphasizes the importance of land surveying for civil engineering projects. Cory George is both a licensed Professional Engineer in NC and SC and a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in NC, SC, TN, FL, and DC. After “falling into the field” while still a major in college doing research for the engineering department, he has now started his own surveying and engineering business called Pilot Surveying and Engineering. Cory and Isaac discuss various aspects of the surveying profession, as well as how surveyors and civil engineers need to closely work together. Tune in to find out how civil engineers can become surveyors, the current tremendous need for surveyors, the differences between colonial states and public lands when it comes to surveying, as well as how Cory started his business from the ground up---and how you can get started too. Our Partners: School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope KiwiCo - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/kiwi Resources Mentioned (some links are affiliate links): Cory George (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-george-pe-pls-ba4aaa21 Cory George (Email) - cory@pilotse.com Pilot Surveying and Engineering - http://www.pilotse.com North Carolina State University - https://www.ncsu.edu North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University - https://www.ncat.edu Carlson BRx7 - https://www.carlsonsw.com/product/brx7-gnss-receiver Brown's Boundary Control and Legal Principles, by Walter G. Robillard and Donald A. Wilson - ibit.ly/aqh7 CEA Resources: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
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Jul 29, 2021 • 33min

CEA - Is the Civil PE Exam Tricky with Daniel Reyes, PE

That’s a fact: The PE Exam can be tricky. Whether it’s a calculation-based or a theoretical question, we have to watch out for everything during the exam to make sure our answer is correct. Our guest today will tell you how to prepare for the exam and handle those subtle questions that can trick you into choosing the wrong alternative. Daniel Reyes is a structural engineer currently working at a consulting firm in Columbus, Ohio. He’s just beaten the exam’s low pass rates for repeat takers after enrolling in the Ultimate Civil PE Review Course, taking the PE Exam for the third time in April, and passing it. For all those who have failed the exam before, you can do this! In today’s episode, Daniel and Isaac explain the importance of crushing the morning portion of the exam (and how it can help you in the afternoon portion), teaches you how to handle those questions you may not know how to solve, as well as the best resources and study habits you can have to set yourself up for success. And there’s more…Tune in to find out! Our Partners: PPI is our partner to help you ace your FE and PE exams. Use our discount code of CIVAC and our link to get 15% off - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/ppi KiwiCo - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/kiwi Resources Mentioned (some links are affiliate links) Daniel Reyes, PE (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-reyes-p-e-9a3014152 The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com CEA Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Civil Engineering Reference Manual - Click here PPI Civil PE Structural Depth Practice Exams - Click here PPI Six-Minute Solutions for the Civil PE Structural Problems - Click here ASCE-7 - https://www.asce.org/asce-7 ACI 318 - https://www.concrete.org/tools/318buildingcodeportal.aspx.aspx XactAnalysis - https://www.xactware.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
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Jul 22, 2021 • 25min

CEA - Balancing Motherhood and Civil Engineering with Bahaar Taylor, PE

Work-life balance is a topic that keeps coming up in our everyday lives. At the end of the day, we all have not only career goals but also personal goals and family responsibilities. Even though it can sound daunting, today’s guest will show you it’s possible. Bahaar Taylor is a structural project engineer at Erickson Structural Consulting Engineers in Washington, a 2021 ASCE New Face of Civil Engineering, wife, and mother of two. After getting her degree from Brigham Young University, she got elected as the president of the Oregon Chapter, and that’s exactly when she had her first child! In this episode, Bahaar explains how she manages to succeed at work without forgetting her family responsibilities, how role models can encourage young people to go for the career they want no matter what (especially young women), how she deals with the negative criticism that eventually comes up on job sites for being a woman, and much more! Resources (some links are affiliate links) Bahaar Taylor (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bahaarkalra Bahaar Taylor (email) - bahaar.taylor@gmail.com Brigham Young University - https://www.byu.edu ASCE Oregon Section - https://www.asceor.org ASCE’s New Faces of Civil Engineering - https://www.asce.org/new_faces_of_civil_engineering School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope Purple Mattress - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/purple Haven’t joined up in our free community? What’s wrong with you? J/K. Ok, just go there and join a group of like-minded civil engineers! - https://ceacommunity.com Join over 4000 engineers like you and learn the tips and tricks to passing the FE and PE. We even have a free resource for you! - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter Check out our Youtube Channel for more content, live sessions, and much more - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q If you need exams, solved problems, or courses, make sure to check out our home base. We can definitely help you on your journey to become a professional engineer - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
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Jul 15, 2021 • 26min

CEA - Engineering Our Future with Luis Duque

Calling all international students and professionals out there! Today’s episode features Luis Felipe Duque, an engineer in the US from Colombia, who has recently become a Professional Engineer after passing his PE exam. Luis is currently a bridge engineer working on the erection, retrofitting, and dismantling of bridges at Foothills Bridge Co. in Boulder, Colorado. His passion for construction started out while watching his father’s work as an architect, but he soon realized he wasn’t that interested in this side of the job to follow in his footsteps. However, since he’s always liked the hands-on approach of the industry, he then decided to go for civil engineering. Being born in Colombia, Luis discusses the process of being accepted in an American university, how playing tennis has helped in and outside the court, his decision to pursue a career in structural engineering while still a freshman, as well as how those interested in bridge engineering can prepare for a career in the field. As an advocate of integrating innovation to help us with our work, Luis goes on to discuss how AI and other technology may change the future of the industry---and how we can benefit from that. Resources (some links are affiliate links) Luis Duque (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisduqueeit Luis Duque’s Twitter (@LuisDuqueEIT) - https://twitter.com/LuisDuqueEIT Engineering Our Future Contact Form - https://www.luisfelipeduque.com/home/contact Engineering Our Future Website - https://www.luisfelipeduque.com Engineering Our Future Podcast - https://www.luisfelipeduque.com/home/engineering-our-future-podcast Luis Duque’s Reading List - https://www.luisfelipeduque.com/books South Dakota State University - https://www.sdstate.edu University of Utah - https://www.utah.edu American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - https://www.asce.org Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) - https://www.asce.org/structural-engineering/structural-engineering-institute America’s Infrastructure Report Card - https://infrastructurereportcard.org The Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod - Click here I Will Teach You to Be Rich, by Ramit Sethi - Click here Think And Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill - Click here Check out our Youtube Channel for more content, live sessions, and much more - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q If you need exams, solved problems, or courses, make sure to check out our home base. We can definitely help you on your journey to become a professional engineer - https://civilengineeringacademy.com Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

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