The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

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: Built Bar Resources Mentioned: PE Course Update (Waiting List) CEA Episode #206 (Brenton Kreiger) CEA Episode #149 (Isaac’s Visit to Kenya) Engineers In Action EIA's Matchmaker Program Bridges to Prosperity CHOICE Humanitarian University of Notre Dame University of Iowa University of Colorado Boulder Connect With Brittany: LinkedIn Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website 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) FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam SimulatorP E Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Connect With Us: Free CEA Community YouTube Channel Instagram TwitterLinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

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: Audible ☑️ Resources Mentioned: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course 100 Bonus Theory Questions 📧 Connect With Grant: LinkedIngrantsjunghans@gmail.com 📚 Our Exam Prep Resources: CEA Main Website Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waitlist) 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

Colten Johnson, a Structural Engineer and founder of a structural firm, shares insights on passing exams under pressure, challenges of being a Lead Engineer, leveraging augmented reality, starting a firm, using LinkedIn effectively, and knowing when to switch careers. He also discusses the need for change in the Structural Engineering industry and offers tips for professional improvement.

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: AudibleBuilt Bar   ☑️ Resources Mentioned: Our FE Review Course Our PE Course Update Waitlist The FE CBT Exam Simulator Clemson UniversityUniversity of Colorado, Boulder 📚 Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review CoursesFloodplain Manager Review CourseCA 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

Discover the importance of grad school vs work experience for Structural Engineers, the necessity of a PE license, and the challenges of taking the SE Exam. Get tips on navigating the industry, transitioning to leadership roles, and overcoming the low pass rates of the SE Exam. Learn from Vince Marvin's journey and insights on becoming a successful Structural Engineering manager.

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: Built Bar Resources Mentioned: Our Video on the PE Changes TYLin Group NYU University Metropolitan Transportation Authority Construction and Development (MTA C&D) New York City Housing Authority ASCE NY Metropolitan Section ASCE Met Section Forensic Engineering Group ASCE Met Section Infrastructure Group Connect With Mafuzul: LinkedIn Our Exam Prep Resources: Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course Civil PE Review CourseCivil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course CFM® Practice Exam 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

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: Built Bar Resources Mentioned: CEA Episode #216 (Drones in Civil Engineering) AECTECH Podcast, host by Nick Heim Nick Heim’s Articles on EM New Jersey Institute of Technology StructureCare Connect With Nick: LinkedIn 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 Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator CFM® Practice ExamConnect With Us: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

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: Built Bar 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 The 2008 Floods in Indiana Purdue University North Carolina State University School of PE Connect With Paige: LinkedInWebsiteSurf City Hydraulic Engineeringpaige.brue@surfcityh2o.com 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 Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice ExamsP E Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Connect With Us: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Leaders in the AEC industry discuss current challenges, future outlook, impacts of COVID, employment status, BIM modeling struggles, drone usage, AI implementation, and the need to move away from the design-bid-build model.

Rebecca Miller shares her non-traditional journey into Structural Engineering and how she designed her career to align with her life goals. Topics include studying for the PE exam, exploring alternative career paths, finding a job that matches your vision, and advice for women engineers. She also discusses the upcoming changes to the PE exam and shares tips for success in engineering.