The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

Here’s a fact in the professional civil engineering exams world — most test-takers don’t fail because they're not smart enough. They fail because they study for their exams the wrong way!Over our 10+ years helping 1,000+ civil engineers crush their FE and PE exams (some after multiple failed attempts!), we’ve spotted 4 BIG exam prep mistakes most of them make…and it kills their chances of passing.After seeing those mistakes beat up a lot of civil engineers, we set out to change that.We analyzed them deeply, created a 4-step study strategy that prevents each one, and built it into our courses to help civil engineers finally cross the finish line.We call it The CEA PASS™ Method, and in this episode, we’ll be breaking it down for you to use it, too! 😉If you’ve been grinding for weeks and still feel stuck in your FE or PE prep, not seeing progress, or unsure how to study…use this.That’s how you PASS™! ✅ 👷🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What’s The CEA PASS™ Method?The 4 Steps of the Method — Preview, Apply, Solidify, SimulateHow to Go About Studying Your Exam Prep Material the Right WayHow to Make Sure You Dedicate Study Sessions to Solving ProblemsHow to Schedule Review Sessions in Your Study Plan (And When)When to Take Practice Exams in Your Prep (And What to Do After Each)🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Practice Testing Study TechniqueThe Forgetting CurveTime Management Strategy to Find Time to Study🎁 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.com

What does it take to become a successful woman civil engineer? 🤔 For multi-award winning Structural Engineer Najwa Jawahar, it all comes down to the “civil engineer” part only.Najwa is a Chartered Structural Engineer in the UK with nearly 13 years of experience. She’s worked on multiple types of projects and become one of the top voices and role models in Structural Engineering for women who want to go down the route.The result of these contributions?She’s been named one of the top 50 rising stars in Science and Engineering and received the Best Young Woman Engineer award at the European Women in Construction and Engineering organization. 😲Now, in this episode, she dives into the details of this success journey in this field packed with men, her tips for other women to succeed as well, and the biggest enemy they’ll need to beat if they want to do so. (Hint: it’s not men. 😉)So, if you’re a woman in civil engineering intimidated by being the only one in the room, tune in to hear Najwa’s story and the hard-learned career lessons she passes on. Her story is proof that you don’t have to blend in to build an extraordinary career. In fact, it’s just the opposite — you have to stand out. (You’ll understand that once you listen. 😂)🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:The Only Thing Women Need to Succeed in the Engineering Field Packed With MenThe Real Meaning Behind Professional Awards (And Your Career)An Enemy That Keeps Holding Women Engineers Back (+ How to Beat It)How an Internship and Competition Made Her Choose Structural EngineeringHow Do You Become a Professional Engineer in the UK?Everything About the UK's Version of the SE Exam for Structural EngineersAre These Brutal Professional Exams We Sit Through Really Needed?The Role of Structural Engineers in the Sustainability Issue3 Big Sustainable Shifts in Structural Engineering That are Already Picking UpHer Top Piece of Advice for Anyone in Civil EngineeringHow Fast Should You Go into Management Roles?🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)PE ExamSE Exam💬 CONNECT WITH NAJWA: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

Ever looked around at your career and thought, “How the heck did I end up here?” Yeah — and you’re not alone. But that’s because your career was happening to you…instead of you making it happen. In this episode, we chat with Bryce Batts, a recruiter specialized in the AEC industry who’s helped over 800 professionals land jobs that actually fit their life and align with their values. After years of coaching and recruiting engineers, she put all her best career tips and advice into The Career Architect — a book that cracks the code of how to build a career you're proud of from the get-to…or get unstuck if you feel miserable where you’re at.The simple secret? 🤔According to her, a fulfilling career doesn’t fall into your lap — it’s something you build!If you’re stuck in a rut, thinking about making a switch, or just tired of “going with the flow,” then this is for you. Why?It will help you rethink how you approach and achieve professional success — and  she gives you the best tips straight out of her book on how to do this as well. 😉🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:3 Key Principles to Building a Career You're Proud ofWhat Should You Do If You've Chosen the Wrong Career Path?4 Big Factors That Companies Need to Consider Offering to Their EngineersIs Job-Hopping the Only Way to Get a Raise?The 2 Worst Aspects of a Company That Cause Engineers to Switch Jobs4 Simple Benefits That Make Engineers Fight Over a Job...and Stay Forever!How the PE License Impacts Your Career Opportunities on the Eyes of a RecruiterThe Story Behind Her Book and What Made Her Want to Write ItHer Biggest Rule That Serves Both Your Career And Life🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Career Architect Book, by Bryce BattsWine After Work Podcast (Spotify)Wine After Work Podcast (Apple Podcasts)North Carolina State University💬 CONNECT WITH BRYCE:LinkedInWebsiteCareer Collective🎁 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 your 30s or more and think it’s “too late” to become PE, I’d like you to meet Jimmy Draughty. He passed the most brutal PE exam on the first try…and he did it at 58 years old! 😮Since graduating, Jimmy’s worked on massive projects around the world, collected as many licenses as you can think of, and even worked for himself for about 10 years. At 58, that’d be enough, right?Wrong!Even with all this experience that blows all the newly licensed PEs (combined!) out of the water, he noticed the PE license still mattered big time for his career.In this episode, he dives into his journey passing the Construction PE Exam at this later stage in life. Why the PE still matters even if you’re way past your 20s, how he (re)learned topics he hadn’t used in years…all the way to the tools and resources he used to pull this off.If you’ve ever told yourself “it’s too late for me,” Jimmy’s story proves it’s a lie. Your age or how long you’ve been out of school doesn’t matter. What matters is the weight of having the PE license in the civil engineering world…at any stage of life.🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:Why He Wanted the PE License Even at 58 Years Old!The 2 Biggest Challenges He Faced Prepping for the PE Later in LifeHow Organized (and Tracked) His Exam Prep Like a Real Project ManagerWhat Helped Him Get a Handle of the Topics He Hasn't Used in DecadesShould You Prioritize Experience or Pass Rates When Choosing a PE Exam?What Caught Him Off Guard on the Construction PE That Almost Led to a FailHow to Handle All the Codes & Standards Required for the Construction PE ExamHis Approach to Taking Practice Exams (And Doing It is a Must!)The Reason He Wouldn't Have Passed Without a Course (And It Applies to You, Too)His Advice at 58 Years Old to Those Who Think It's Too Late to Become a PEHow He Found Civil Engineering Academy (And Why He Chose It)🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Certified Cost Professional (CCP)Project Management Professional (PMP)💬 CONNECT WITH JIMMY: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

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