The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

We’ve interviewed engineers in many different fields that don’t even come to mind for those in civil engineering, and here’s a brand-new one you’ve never heard of — spill prevention plan!Our guest today is Travis Keener, aka the Spill Plan Man. He’s a licensed PE in 42 states who’s built his entire career around what’s called Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans.Today, he runs his own business doing it to keep oil-handling facilities compliant with the EPA, and has personally stamped more than 600 of them. Now, the best part?This is something he contracts out a lot of civil engineers to help, and that licensed civil engineers can do as well!So, this episode is a peek into one of those “hidden corners” of engineering most of us are not told about in school.Tune in to learn how he ended up in this world, what the work entails on a daily basis…plus why it could be a rewarding career path for a civil engineer just like you.🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What He Does as the "Spill Plan Man"What SPCC Plans are And Why They Require Licensed PEsHow SPCC Plans Grew to Become His Career PathIs Spill Control a Possible Career Path for Civil Engineers?How He Manages PDHs Being Licensed in 42 StatesThe Biggest Misconception About the EPA's Oil Spill RuleWhy the Rule of 110% for Rain is MisleadingDo You Really Need to Change Your Spill Plan Every 5 Years?How He Runs His Spill Plan Business (And Hires Civil Engineers to Help!)His Tip for the PE Exam That Still Works TodayHis Advice for Young Engineers to Find Their Path After School🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Drone Pilot LicenseDJI DronesAshland Tank DisasterEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Oklahoma State University💬 CONNECT WITH TRAVIS:LinkedInSpill Plan Man WebsitePhone Number: 918 766-9359🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CourseCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

If you’re in the floodplain management arena and want to build a successful career in it, then this episode with Scott Pelath, CFM, is a must-listen! Here’s why. 👇Scott started his career dealing with public affairs related to Water Resources. Then, he transitioned into one of the highest positions in floodplain management in his area — the Executive Director of the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission.In this episode, he shares his journey to create a successful floodplain management career…plus his experience getting the certification that matters most in this field — the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM®)!Scott’s story proves that the CFM isn’t just another set of letters after your name. Instead, it’s a tool that can move you up to executive-level jobs.So, whether you’re preparing for the CFM® exam yourself or just curious about where this certification can take you, this episode is packed with insights from a CFM himself who’s been in your shoes.Hit play and let Scott’s journey inspire your own path to becoming a CFM, too! 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:His Career Journey from Legislation to Floodplain ManagementWhy He Felt the Need to Get the CFM® CertificationWhat He Loves the Most About His Job in Floodplain ManagementWhy the CFM® Certification Matters Big Time (Especially Nowadays)Why He Chose CEA's CFM® Review Course to Help Him PrepWhat Future CFM Examinees Need to Be on the Lookout ForHis Exact Study Routine for You to Copy (+ What He Would've Done Differently)How Difficult is the CFM® Exam?What He Enjoyed the Most About the CFM Review Course & MaterialA Test-Taking Tip You Need to Remember on Your Exam DayThe Value of the CFM Beyond Just "Passing an Exam"🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:CFM® Review CourseCFM® Practice ExamCFM Course Launch Interview With Matt Fanghella (CEA #207)Association of State Floodplain ManagersFEMA 480 PublicationQuizlet Flashcards for the CFMKankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development CommissionIndiana University Bloomington💬 CONNECT WITH SCOTT:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CourseCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Outdated education with low pay, but worn out infrastructure and sustainability needs? 🤔These are the two sides of civil engineering today — and nobody has lived and breathed the field as much as Dennis D. Truax to know the right way to look at it. 👇Dennis is a civil engineer who has spent decades shaping the profession in leadership positions. From leading Mississippi State University’s civil department to serving as ASCE President in 2022! In this episode, he shares the harsh truths and the hidden opportunities he sees today for civil engineers. And if that’s not enough, he also gives us a sneak peek into a new platform that challenges the old work model of one company, 40-hour workweeks.(Yep. You read that right. 😨)If you want to hear wisdom from someone who’s been in the trenches, led at the highest levels, and is still working to shape the future of civil engineering even after “retirement,”  you’ll love this conversation. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:The High-Level Professional Roles He's Held Over His CareerHas Today's Civil Engineering Education Fallen Behind?Broad But Difficult: The Positive and Negative Side of Civil EngineeringThe Hesitation of Young People to Go into CivilA Groundbreaking Concept in Water Resources and Environmental for the FutureThe Biggest Challenge (And Opportunity) in Civil Engineering TodayThe Role of ASCE in the Political Battles for Investments in InfrastructureIs US Infrastructure Improving?Why the Wastewater Field Scores a D (And What Can Be Done About It)What Changed in the Past That Makes Today a Great Time to Be a Civil EngineerA New Civil Engineering Work Model (And the Platform to Leverage It)🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:ASCE 2022 President Dennis Truax VideoEngineer Match GroupThe Infrastructure Report CardInfrastructure Investment and Jobs (IJA) ActUrban Sequoia ConceptMississippi State University💬 CONNECT WITH DENNIS:LinkedInBidcurement, Inc.🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Most people kick the PE exam down the road when life gets busy, but Mudasir Gulzar?! He did the opposite! He pulled his exam date forward, leaving him with only one month left to study with…wait for it…a baby on the way! 😮Crazy? Maybe. But it worked! In this episode, he dives into his “rushed” journey to pass the tough, code-heavy Geotechnical PE Exam…while sharing the hard-earned lessons he learned on the way that can save you months of trial and error in your own prep (and get you to pass sooner!)From two study tips he lived by to the game-changer for those taking the Geotech exam to how he used practice exams to maximize his learning…all the way to the one thing you should keep in mind when studying for the PE.If you’re staring down the PE (especially the Geotech PE Exam), his story hits home. It’s not about having endless time — it’s about having the right approach and the right tools to get it done.Tune in now to learn how he pulled this off — and how you can, too. 👍🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:How He First Found Out About the Existence of the FE and PE ExamsHow He Prepped for and Passed the FE Exam on His OwnWhy He Picked Geotechnical Engineering for His CareerA Game-Changing Piece of Advice If You Want to Pass the Geotech PE ExamHow He Prepped in 1 Month After Pulling His Exam Date Forward2 Study Tips He Lived By to PassWhat He Would Do After Finishing Practice Exams That You Must Do as Well3 Reasons Why He Chose (& Stuck With) CEA's PE Review CourseHard-Earned Lessons for Those Taking the Geotech PE ExamThe ONE Thing You Should Keep in Mind When PreppingThe Single Feature of The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course He Enjoyed the MostWhat He Thought of CEA's PE CBT Exam Simulator🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:CEA's Civil PE Review CourseCEA's PE CBT Exam SimulatorNCEES Official Geotech PE Practice ExamGFT CompanyNIT SrinagarUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville💬 CONNECT WITH MUDASIR:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CourseCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFEvir Envirnmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

After passing the FE after 5 tries, Ryan Turley circled back to CEA for the PE exam…and knocked that one out too! 🥊 In this episode, Ryan shares his tips and experience to pull this off. 👇If you’re taking the FE or have just got it done, he shares what happens in between the two exams. He organized himself to start studying for the PE. Why (and how) he chose the Water Resources PE over Transportation. And a lot more.For those taking the PE, Ryan drops some gold nuggets on everything he learned by going through this twice himself. The biggest exam surprise that caught him off guard. The test-taking strategy he used. A simple hack to make studying feel way less like pulling teeth. And more.Whether you’re stuck on the FE or staring at the PE as your next milestone, this one’s packed with tips you can swipe and use right away. 😉Hit play and let Ryan show you how he went from five FE fails to a PE pass on the second try — and how you can, too! ✅ 👷🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:How He Organized His Study Schedule for the PE ExamIs the PE Easier Than the FE?Why He Picked the Water Resources Over the Transportation PE ExamHis Biggest Surprise on the Exam You Need to Be Aware of!The 2 Water Resources Topics Examinees Fear (and How to Prep for Them)How Deep Do You Need to Go on the Codes & Standards for the Water Exam?How Our PE Water Resources Review Course Helped Him Study for the PEThe Biggest Thing About Passing the PE That We Bake into Our CourseHow He Prepped for Theory Questions on the PEWhat Score Should You Be Getting on Practice Exams to Be Ready for the Real Deal?His Test-Taking Strategy to Finish Each Session 20 Minutes Early and Review ItHis Simple Trick to Boost How Much You Retain of What You StudyThe Real Commitment Needed to Pass the PE (And It's Easier Than You Think!)The Secret to Make Studying for the PE a Habit You Actually EnjoyWhy He Recommends Civil Engineering Academy's PE CoursesWhat to Do If You've Been Failing the PE Multiple Times🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:First Interview With Ryan (CEA # 239)The Ultimate Civil PE Water Resources Review CoursePE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE CBT Exam Simulator💬 CONNECT WITH RYAN:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

We know. Failing the PE Exam stings. 😬 Especially after hours of studying and no-fun weekends. When this happened, you wanted to jump ship and switch to another discipline, right? 🤔That’s everybody’s knee-jerk reaction, but here’s the kicker — that move might actually set you back instead of moving you forward! 😨In this episode, I dive into my hot take on one of the most common questions we get here at CEA from PE test-takers like you: Should I switch exams after failing? My answer will not surprise you. Instead, it goes against everything you used to believe about this…but it comes straight from my own experience as a repeat taker who’s been exactly where you are right now.If you’ve failed once, twice, or even a few times already and feel like running to another Civil PE Exam discipline, this one’s for you. 🎧Give it a listen before you make a decision that could delay your license even longer!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:My Hot Take on Switching PE Exams After a Fail (and Why)4 Advantages You Earned Prepping for Your Failed Attempts7 Advantages You Now Have for Having Taken the Exam BeforeMy Personal Story as a Repeater Taker at This Crossroads Myself5 Downsides of Switching Exams You Don't Even Consider3 Things to Fix That Works Better Than Switching Exams🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Tucker Stafford Interview (CEA #255)Makenzie Allen Interview (CEA #192)ASCE 37-14TSS 2018🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Here’s one of the biggest decisions in a civil engineer’s career — do you keep the hard hat on and stay technical…or swap it for a suit jacket and go full-on manager? 💼👷‍♂️In this episode, we’re diving deep into the details of the “Engineer vs. Manager” post we did on LinkedIn that racked up almost half a million views and hundreds of shares. 😲The main point of the post? Most engineers think they want to be managers...until they become managers and realize they actually didn’t. 😨So, today, Mark jumps back on the show so we can both share our own journeys going into management. We break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of the manager role so you can figure out whether it truly is for you. 👍If you’ve been wondering whether to climb the management ladder or double down on your engineering craft, this is the conversation you need before making the leap. 😉Hit play and get the inside scoop before you make a move you’ll regret. 🎧🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:How Most Engineers End Up in Management (And Why Some Don't)The Type of Engineers Most Suited to Become ManagersThe First Problem You Face Going into ManagementThe Real Functions (and Challenges) of the Manager in an OrganizationPeople Problems Managers Face DailyThe Battle the Manager Has to Fight for His EmployeesWhy Most Engineers Feel Pressured to Get into ManagementWhat Makes Engineers Switch Back to Technical RolesWhat You Need to Be Effective as a ManagerThe Best Way to Prepare Yourself to Take the Manager RoleResources and Trainings You Should Get Before Becoming a ManagerThe Positive Side of Management (And Who Thrives in It)The ONE Skill You Need No Matter If You're an Engineer or Manager🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Engineer vs. Manager LinkedIn PostAtomic Habits, by Jamer ClearRadical Candor, by Kim ScottThe Manager's Path, by Camille Fournier🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

No engineering project is a success without one crucial aspect. What is it? 🤔 According to our guest, a powerful leadership tool most people neglect. 👇Today, we chat with W. Jeff Williams, a civil engineer turned mayor of Arlington, Texas. If you think of some of the biggest projects in the state, he’s the guy behind them. Either working on them as a civil engineer or bringing them to the state as the Mayor! 😯Jeff’s done it all and seen it all. After decades of in-the-trenches engineering and leadership work (and wins!), he learned the real secret sauce that makes or breaks engineering projects: unity — aligning people and purpose to transform outcomes.In his book coming out in September, he dives deep into this concept. But today, he gives us a sneak peek into it (plus a lot of other hard-earned lessons for civil engineers in the same shoes). 😉If you’re managing a team at your company, leading a government agency, or in charge of a community organization, this one’s packed with wisdom from a guy who's worn all those hats. 💡Hit play and learn how unity isn’t just a “nice-to-have” — it’s your competitive edge. 🎧🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:The Most Crucial Aspect of Any Successful Engineering ProjectWhat the “Unity” Principle Really Is2 Tips to Create Unity as a LeaderA Sneak Peek at One of the Book’s Important Lessons for EngineersWhy He Moved Into the Public Sector2 Skills You Need to Work in the Public SectorHis Tips for the Future Generation of Engineers with the Tech Revolution3 Pieces of Advice for Young Civil Engineers to Succeed🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Unity Blueprint BookThe Unity Blueprint Book (Pre-Order on Amazon)Texas Tech UniversityAT&T StadiumSouthlake Town SquareNational Medal of Honor MuseumPrestonwood Baptist ChurchForbes Publishing💬 CONNECT WITH JEFF:WebsiteNewsletterLinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Double-digit, billion-dollar investments into infrastructure projects going down the drain with them? 😨In this episode, Mark Oakeson joins us again to dive into the wave of mega infrastructure projects built by China across the globe that are already cracking, leaking, and flat-out shutting down. These are massive, government-funded projects that were supposed to last 50+ years…but instead, they’re turning into billion-dollar blunders. Why?Why are they failing so fast? What went wrong during design and construction (and politics)? And most importantly, what can we civil engineers learn from it? Especially now with the U.S. pouring billions into infrastructure upgrades after the 2021 bill? 🤔🎧 Hit play and let’s break down what happens when quality takes a backseat in civil engineering and what we can learn from it to avoid making the same mistake in the US. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:China’s Global Infrastructure Boom5 Chinese-Built Projects That are Falling Apart…in Less Than 10 Years of Service2 Reasons Why These Projects Are Already FailingWhat the Experts Say Is the Root Cause of These FailuresWhy a Contract-Based Model to Pick the Winner Firm Doesn't Work as Well as BidsIs There a Hidden Chinese Agenda Behind Those Projects Across the World?Can China Improve Their Construction Approach and Quality?Why the Cost of Projects is Not the Only Thing That MattersLessons for U.S. Infrastructure Spending That are Worth Their Weight in Gold!🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Wall Street Journal ArticleCoca Codo Sinclair DamNeelum–Jhelum Hydropower PlantIsimba Hydro Power PlantKaruma Hydro Power Plant🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

We said it before — prepping for the PE usually takes 3-6 months. But today’s guest? He missed that memo and managed to pass this thing with less than 2 months of studying! 🤯Kenneth (Kenny) Winston is a drainage engineer at Consor Engineers who joined us to share his unbelievable 1.5-month journey to pass the Civil PE Water Resources Exam. (Yes, you read that right!)How, you ask? 🤔Here’s the secret — he knew exactly how he learns best, and that self-awareness made all the difference.In this episode, he talks about how he found The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course, why it was the perfect match for his learning style, and what strategies helped him go from overwhelmed to confident in record time.If you feel like your prep just isn’t clicking, this episode shows you that passing fast isn’t about shortcuts. It’s just a matter of knowing yourself…and finding the right-fit resources to help you. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:The Unbelievable Timeline He Gave Himself to Prep for the PEHow He Found Study Time With a Job, Marriage, and BusinessHis Approach to All Practice Problems That You'll Want to Use TooHis Crazy Strategy to Learn Almost It All...Five Days Before Exam Day!How He Found Civil Engineering Academy (And Why He Went With It)Why Knowing Your Learning Style Is the Real Cheat CodeAre the Exam Questions Tricky...Purposefully?The Only Thing You Can Do to Prep for Theory ProblemThe Test-Taking Strategy He Used on Exam Day to Pass It2 Tips for Everybody Taking the PE Exam to Get it Done FastWhat He Loved the Most About the The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Ultimate Civil PE Review CourseConsor EngineersChatGPT💬 CONNECT WITH KENNY:LinkedInkwinston@consoreng.com🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

No matter how hard you study, on exam day, nerves kick in, you worry about time, and one tough question can throw you off. But what if you had a test-taking plan to avoid all of that? 🤔In this episode, I break down our CEA Test Strategy™, a 3-phase test-taking hack that allows you to do what really matters to pass your FE, PE, or CFM® exam — get as many questions right as possible. ✅How? By tackling the right questions, at the right time during the exam. 😉I used this approach when I took my exams myself. I taught it to every CEA team member who was once a student. And I teach it to every single student of our review courses. Now, I’m sharing this test-taking hack with you as well. 😉If you're gearing up for any of these exams, you need to practice this strategy with practice exams to stop feeling overwhelmed the moment the clock starts ticking.So, just hit play, and let's get you “exam-day ready”…step-by-step. 🏆🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What's the CEA Test Strategy™Step 1: “Quick Wins” to Build MomentumStep 2: The “Brain Burners” You’ll Want to Pace Yourself ThroughStep 3: The “Smart Guesses” That Could Make or Break Your ScoreWhy This Strategy Works to Get You Passed (And Has for Years)Why You Should Use it…100%!How to Practice This Strategy in Your Prep🎁 CEA FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module📚 CEA PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam🖥️ CEA REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

🚨 Here’s by far the most asked question inside our FE and PE courses: “Should I use the Ultimate or Net Bearing Capacity to find the Allowable Bearing Capacity?” 🤔That question comes up in our student-only community every single year, multiple times, and rightfully so.Reference manuals tell you to find the Net value and then use it to find the Allowable Bearing Capacity. But then, in the solutions to the problems, it uses the Ultimate value directly.Like, “What the heck?!” 😨But don’t worry….we’ve got your back. 😉Over the years, we’ve shared a little-known trick with our students so they know which one to use on exam day. And in this episode, we’re sharing it with you as well. 😉Tune in to learn about this trick…and you’ll never get this wrong anymore in your exam prep. That’s a promise. 👍🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What's the Bearing Capacity of Soil?What Ultimate Bearing Capacity is All AboutHow to Calculate Ultimate Bearing CapacityWhat Net Bearing Capacity is...And How It Differs from the Ultimate ValueThe Allowable Bearing CapacityThe Big FE/PE Dilemma: Two Ways to Find the Allowable Bearing CapacityThe Little-Known Trick We Share With Our Students That Solves This Dilemma🎁 CEA FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ CEA REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 CEA PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

"The CSI of Civil Engineering." That’s the best way to describe the little-known career path of Forensic Engineering for civil engineers — and in this episode, we’re diving headfirst into it. 🕵️‍♂️💥Our guest for this one is Peter Marxhausen, a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience and 10,000+ building investigations under his belt. Peter has now seen it all — cracks, collapses, fire…and the courtroom drama that follows.If you’ve never heard of this field before, or just assumed it was something only "experts" do at the end of their careers, Peter’s here to break it all down. How to get into it. What the work of a Forensic Engineer entails. The credentials you need. And a lot more!Whether you’re trying to figure out what career route to take or considering a career shift, this episode’s got all you need to know about a career that most civil engineers don’t even know they can have. 😎🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:How What Every Civil Engineer Avoids Got Him Into Forensic EngineeringThe Engineering Type of Work a Forensic Engineer Does the MostThe Non-Engineering Type of Work Forensic Engineers Have to do RegardlessA Third Task That Also Makes up a Forensic Engineer's Workload3 Requirements to Pursue a Career in Forensic EngineeringWhat You Need to Know Before Getting into Forensic EngineeringDo You Need Any Credentials in Forensic Engineering?Do Old Buildings Have More Problems Than New Ones?Design or Construction: Who's to Blame When a Structure Fails?🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:dux Forensics, LLCThe Memoirs of Herbert HooverUniversity Colorado, Denver📧 CONNECT WITH PETER:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Every one of us is  guilty of procrastinating on our exam prep. Whether it’s just “a little bit” or “a lot” is not the problem — the cost of it to our career is. But the good news? It’s beatable! 💪 👇In this episode, Mark Oakeson jumps back on the show to help us unpack the real reasons we drag our feet when it comes to studying for our exam.We’re not here to beat you up about it – we’ve been there. 😅 Instead, we’re here to dig into what’s actually happening behind the scenes, and why it shows up the most when you’re chasing a big goal like the FE or PE.From the science behind procrastination to the sneaky habits that make it worse all the way to the practical strategies to help you move past it and finally build momentum, we break it all down. So, whether you’re putting off taking your exam, dreading those study sessions, or just stuck in neutral after a failed attempt, this one’s going to feel like a much-needed kick in the pants (in the best way possible 😉).Hit play to stop waiting and start passing. 👍🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:The Science-Based Reason Why You Procrastinate (And It's Not 'Laziness')Is Your Fear of Failure Causing You to Procrastinate?Why Your Long To-Do List is Another Form of ProcrastinationWhy Perfectionism = Procrastination in DisguiseA Simple Way to Reduce Procrastination in Your Exam Prep on Your OwnHow Accountability From Others Makes You Not ProcrastinateThe (Big) Role of Active Studying in Your Exam PrepThe 5-Minute Rule to Beat Procrastination Bit by BitFinding Your Own Anti-Procrastination SystemWhy You Procrastinate More After a Fail…And How to Reframe FailureThe Single Best Method to Overcome Procrastination in Your Prep🎁 CEA FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ CEA REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 CEA PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Three years and six attempts. That’s how long it took Raymond Muñoz-Tabares to pass the Civil FE — but he did it! ✅ If you’ve ever felt like giving up after a few failures, this is the pep talk you need. 👇Raymond is a civil engineer in Rhode Island who came to the US at the age of 10. He took (and failed) the Civil FE while still in school, and that’s when his 3-year, 6-attempt struggle began. ☹️In this episode, Raymond shares this whole unfiltered FE journey with you.This is a super relatable episode for any international civil engineer in the US, but also a super practical episode with tons of exam prep tips for all repeat takers who simply want to get this over with.So, tune in now and hear how Raymond turned three years of struggle into a huge career milestone, and everything he learned along the journey so you can do the same...faster. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:His 3-Year, 6-Attempt Journey to Conquer the Civil FEHis Different Approach to Practice Exams That You Should Steal!The Test-Taking Strategy He Used in His Last Try That You Should Use Too3 Things You Need to Know in Your Exam Prep to Be Ready on Exam DayHow He Found Civil Engineering Academy...and Went With ItThe Other FREE FE Resources He Used to StudyHis Top Piece of Advice for Repeat-Takers Like HimA Tip to Decode the NCEES Diagnostic Report to Improve for Your Next tryWhy He Chose Civil Engineering Over His Other Career OptionsWhy He Recommends Civil Engineering Academy🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:CEA’s Suggested FE Resources PageFundamentals of Engineering Review Book (11th Edition)FREE FE Review Basics on CourseraUniversity of Rhode Island📧 CONNECT WITH RAYMOND:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmunoz675🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

🚨 Attention! 🚨 The NCEES dropped their latest annual reports earlier this year — and these ones reveal some trends for both the profession and the licensure exam world we’re in. 📈 👇In this episode, we walk you through their annual report on all the things they did in the past year for the profession. This one comes with awesome news for both US and international engineers wanting to work abroad without worrying about license “validity” in other countries.Then, we dive into the Squared report — their dedicated report with the latest FE and PE stats. We’ve been tracking these since 2016, and they tell you a lot of things you need to know if you’re gearing up for any of these. 😉So, whether you're weeks out from your test or just starting to dip your toes into “prep mode,” this episode gives you the real numbers you need to make smarter moves. Go check it out! 🎧🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:Increasing Options to Take the FE and PE Exams InternationallyThe Increase in International Mobility Agreements for EngineersThe Rise of the FE as a Requirement to GraduatePolitical Threats to Professional LicensureAre More Engineers Taking the NCEES Exams?The Latest Civil FE Exam Pass RatesThe New Interactive FE Practice Exams by the NCEESThe Moment of the Year Most People Prefer to Take the Civil FEHow to Get a Digital Badge After Passing the FEIs the Number of PE Examinees on the Decline?The Easiest PE Exam to Pass on the First Try (According to the Data!)The Latest Repeat Taker Pass Rates on the Civil PE ExamsThe Switch of the SE Exam to CBT🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:2024 NCEES Squared Report2024 NCEES Annual ReportInterview With NCEES’s Officer of Exams, Tim MillerFE CBT Exam Simulator🎁 CEA FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ CEA REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 CEA PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Practice ExamsPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Pulling your hair deciding between the Water Resources or Transportation PE exam? 😵‍💫 This week, we sit down with Josiah Ferguson, a civil engineer who was in the same boat…and made a call that worked really well. 😄Josiah works for the City of Shakopee on both water resources and transportation projects. But when it came time to take the Civil PE Exam, he had to pick one. The question is…which one?Which one do you choose when your job covers more than one of the five main Civil PE disciplines, or none of them? 🤔In this episode, Josiah walks you through how he made the call in favor of the Water Resources PE Exam…and what he did in his prep to crush it on the first try with not even three years of experience under his belt. 💪If you’re facing the civil PE exam soon, then this episode has the golden tips you need to not only pick which exam to prep for, but also what he learned and what caught him by surprise while he was doing so himself.🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:Why He Picked the Water Resources PE Exam While Also Working on TransportationHow to Choose Which Civil PE Exam to Take When None Applies to YouMinnesota’s Rules to Taking the PE Before 4 Years of ExperienceHis Original PE Study Plan...and the Moment He Realized it Wouldn’t Cut itWhy He Choose Civil Engineering Academy to Help HimHis Strategy to Taking Practice Exams in Your Prep (+ the Score to Aim for)What Caught Him by Surprise on Exam Day That You Should Know AboutAre the Morning Questions Still Easier Than the Afternoon Questions?The Overlooked Aspect All Test-Takers Need to Pass the PE ExamHis Top Tip for Those Facing the PE Exam Soon That Worked Really Well for HimWhat He Loved Most About Civil Engineering Academy's CourseThe Overlooked Aspect All Test-Takers Need to Pass the PE Exam🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:What PE Depth Exam Should I Take?PE CBT Exam SimulatorNCEES Water Resources Practice ExamMinnesota Society of Professional Engineers📧 CONNECT WITH JOSIAH:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Passing the PE Exam is one thing, but doing it as an immigrant, with language barriers, and after hitting a wall multiple times before already?! That’s a whole nother story — and it’s real! 😲In this episode, Hadi Al Azzawi jumps on the show to share his journey climbing a crazy steep hill to pass the Civil PE Water Resources Exam as an immigrant civil engineer in the US.From understanding the English used in the problems to juggling study time with family life, Hadi’s journey is full of hard-earned lessons for any international civil engineer out there in the same shoes right now.Also, if you’re taking the Civil PE Water Resources Exam, he has some top-notch resources and tips he learned after going through this thing himself…five times!If you’re an international civil engineer going through the hoops of getting your PE and feel like the odds are stacked against you, this episode gives you the tips to beat them. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:A Tip for Immigrants to Overcome the Language Barrier on the PEDid He Have to Take the Civil FE as an Immigrant?What You Really Need to Pass the FE That He Learned the Hard WayThe One Thing All Test-Takers Have in Common Regardless of Life DifferencesHow to Prep for the FE/PE With a Spouse and FamilyHis Tip to Fellow Repeat Takers to Stay in the GameHow He Used AI To Get Back on the Saddle After a FailWhat He Did to Pass as Repeat Taker After 5 TriesA Sneaky Exam Question That Caught Him Off GuardHis Go-To Method for Learning the Water Resources CodesHis Tip to Prep for the Most Feared Topic in the Water Resources ExamThe PE Resources That Helped Him the Most Among All the Ones He UsedA Tech Tool That Helped Him Learn All the Exam Prep Material🤝 OUR PARTNER:Built Bar🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:All-in-One Civil Engineering PE Exam Guide, by Dr. GoswamiAll-In-One Civil Engineering PE Practice Exams, by Dr. GoswamiSix-Minute Solutions (Water Resources Problems), by PPIKindle ScribeIsaac Wait Youtube ChannelASCE PE CoursesSchool of PEWashington State University📧 CONNECT WITH HADI:LinkedInalazawi.hadi@gmail.com🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Prepping for your exam isn’t a walk in the park. It’s hard. It  takes discipline. And you’ll want to quit more than once. (Been there. 😞) So, how can those who pass possibly keep going?! 😟It’s not a fancy study schedule, more study material, or some natural-born talent you weren’t blessed with.The real secret? 🤔Your “Why!”In this episode, I talk about why passing isn't just about studying. Instead, it starts with a compelling reason that matters to you.When your “Why” is strong, the "What” turns from a fuzzy goal into something real, and you do the “How” (aka the grind) even when you don’t feel like it.So, here, I share my own “why” back when I was grinding for the PE exam with a full-time job and a growing family…plus the top 5 reasons I hear from our own students why they’re chasing the FE or PE themselves. 🎯If you’ve been dragging your feet on studying or wondering how other people keep going when life gets crazy — this one’s for you!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What Passing Your Exam Really MeansMy Own “Why” for Taking the PE ExamThe Truth About Exam Prep Nobody Tells YouHow Purpose Fuels PersistenceThe Top 5 "Whys" We Hear From Our Students4 Ways to Keep Your Why Front and Center🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:2025 Civil Engineering Salaries Update🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH US!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.

From frustrated PE examinee after 4 failed tries to…wait for it…future firm owner?! 😲 That’s exactly what you read!Our guest today is Colin Tinsley, who took the Construction PE exam not once, not twice...but five times before finally seeing the big, green “PASS” on the screen. 😅 Two paper-based attempts. Two more tries after the switch to CBT. Then, finally, with the help of our Ultimate Civil PE Construction Review Course, Colin crushed it on his fifth try. ✅ 👷In this episode, he dives into his journey as a repeat taker himself and how he managed to stay in the game at a point where most people would’ve quit…so you can, too.Also, he dives into how the PE license changed his career trajectory. He was questioning his “place” in the field, but when he finally passed, he started to plan the launch of his own engineering firm. 💪So, whether your next attempt will be your first or fourth try, this episode shows it can be done…plus what’s possible for your career when you stay in the game until you get it done. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:His First Four Failed Attempts at the Paper-Based and CBT PE ExamsHow He Got it Done on His Fifth Try With CEAHis Own Engineering Business That Made Him Choose the Construction PEThe Passing Score on the PE...and Why You Shouldn’t Worry About ItWhat the Construction PE Exam Focuses and The Key to Get Over ItWhy You Shouldn't Change Your Exam After a Fail (From a Repeat Taker Himself!)His Biggest Tip for Those Taking the Construction PEHow He Managed to Fix His Self-Doubts After Multiple FailuresWhat He Liked About The Ultimate Civil PE Construction Review CourseHow Mentorship Can Also Help With Your ExamsHis Biggest WARNING for Those Who Want a Pass the Construction PEHow You Should Go About Answering and Reviewing Theory QuestionsHow the PE Changes Your Career TrajectoryWhat Part of Our Construction PE Review Course Helped Him the Most🤝 OUR PARTNER:Built Bar🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Should You Change Your Civil PE Exam?100 Bonus Construction Theory Problems📧 CONNECT WITH COLIN:ctinsley@th-consultingservices.com🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com