The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

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.

Ayo Sokale, a Chartered Engineer in the UK, discusses how she built a successful career in Water Resources as a woman engineer and became a BBC presenter. Topics covered include overcoming gender bias, advice for women engineers, the multi-dimensional aspect of people, and balancing work with other passions. She also shares a framework for reaching your vision and top tips for improving your life professionally and personally.

Lane Kawaoka, a real estate investor and former engineer, discusses how he used his engineering job to fuel his real estate investments and create passive income. He shares insights on getting a PE license, the advantages of being a highly paid engineer, and why civil engineers are well-suited for real estate investing. Lane also talks about his upcoming resource to help engineers scale financially and provides a sneak peek into his new book, "The Wealth Elevator." Overall, the episode highlights how engineers can leverage their skills to achieve financial success through real estate.