The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast is your gateway to all things civil engineering! We are here to help you at every step of the journey to becoming a professional civil engineer and also help you with booster your career and life.
PE Water Resources vs. PE Environmental Exam: whatās the difference?
Even better, if you work in any of these two fieldsā¦which one do you take if they overlap quite a bit? š¤
Youāve probably asked yourself those same questions, and this weekās guest, Matt Fanghella, has the answers to both! šŖ
Matt is a PE and CFM (and one of our CEA Team members too!) with lots of experience in both worlds, both regarding his career and his journey to licensure.
As someone who worked in Environmental early on in his career, and then transitioned to Water Resources, he found himself in the spot youāre in right now.
In this episode, he dives into his process for spotting the (small) differences between the two exams, how he decided which one to take so you know how you can do it for yourselfā¦
ā¦all the way to brand-new CEA resources heās working on to help you tackle the Environmental FE and PE exams if youāre going that route. ā šļø
Smash that play button and get all your questions answered about these two exams once and for all! āÆļø
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FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
Introducing the CFMĀ® Review Course
NCEES PE and FE Environmental Handbooks
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportDid you know one of the most difficult topics in the Water Resources PE Exam is not related to Water Resources?! šÆ
Thatās what our guest on this episode, Kim Truong, found to be true firsthand after taking and passing this thing herself.
Kim is an Environmental Scientist turned Civil Engineer whoās been working for the US Air Force in Japan.
In this episode, she dives into the tactics and resources she used to study for this exam, as well as her experience with the exam itself inside the exam roomā¦and that most challenging topic I mentioned before.
If you're taking the PE Water Resources Exam soon or have plans to do so, then this episode spills the beans on everything she did right to get it done on her first try so you can, too.š
Go check it out! š§
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ā RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Civil Engineering Academyās PE Review Courses
The April 2024 Changes to the PE Exam
Should You Change Your Civil PE Exam?
The Best PE Exam Switches You Can Try
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
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FE Environmental Practice Exam
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportāArtificial Intelligenceā gets all the buzz today. š¤ Lots of things it could be used for, and lots of options out there. The problem? š¤ According to Dr. Sam Zolfagharian, most AEC leaders try to implement it the wrong way! šØ
Dr. Sam is the co-founder and president of YegaTech, an AI consulting firm focusing on helping AEC firms and executives plan and execute their AI strategy to scale their business.
After years of experience as a Structural Engineer herself, she saw firsthand all the tasks that could be sped up with the help of technologyā¦and how little AEC leaders understand whatās really at their disposal when it comes to AI. š¤Æ
(In case youāre wondering, itās not simply looking at what AI tools are out there and picking a few to āgive it a try.)
In this episode, Dr. Sam dives into how AI will shape the future of work in the AEC industry for companies, how future AEC professionals (civil engineers included!) will need to adaptā¦all the way to YegaTechās AI Innovation Framework for firms to scale with the help of AI.
This framework is now already being used to develop AI strategies and AI governance across multiple AEC companies, and Dr. Sam teaches it in this very episode. Go check it out! š§
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YegaTechās Presentation on AI in the AEC Industry
5-Step Guide to Prepare for the AI-Driven Economy
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportšØ This PE Exam prep timeline defies EVERYTHING youāve seen so far! šØ We always mention that 3 months is the minimum, but exemptions existā¦and Connor Aycock did it in ONE month!Ā š±Ā š
Thatās exactly what you read, believe it or not.Ā
After moving to a new state where the rules on when you can take the PE after passing the FE are looser, Connor had his chance.
In May 2024, his boss challenged him to take it immediately. After realizing the timing was perfect and that the best window for him to take the test was June 2024, he went for it. šŖ
He condensed his exam prep into a jaw-dropping four-week schedule (Whats?! šØ), blocked off his study time, and gathered the on-demand resources he needed to bust through the material.
After 4 and half weeks, he took itā¦and passed it! ā š·
In this episode, he dives into this (unbelievable) journey, hits on all the things he did to make it possible, talks about what the exam was like and the most challenging parts of itā¦
ā¦all the way to the ONE THING he wouldāve done differently that you can learn from him and do it right in your own exam prep.
If youāre preparing for this exam as well, this episode is a must-listen. š§
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The Ultimate Civil PE Review Courses
Test Prep Insightās Best PE Review Courses
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportšØ Hereās another case that will blow your mind š Imagine taking the Civil PE Exam 7 (seven!) times, each time with a different exam formatā¦and all this without a civil engineering degree! š¤Æ
Thatās exactly what todayās guest, Justin Krishart, PE, did! š²
Justin graduated from Penn State with a degree in Architectural Engineering with an emphasis in Structures. Needless to say, he knew very little about whatās covered in the PE Exam, except for Structural topics.
After failing both the paper-based and CBT PE exam in the old breadth-and-depth format six times, the April 2024 changes turned on the light at the end of the tunnel. š”
This episode is an awesome story of perseverance with a big lesson every test-taker needs to hear ā which is what kept him going when most people wouldāve given up. š· šø
If youāve found yourself failing this thing multiple times already, you need to listen to his journey!
How he managed to stay in the game even after feeling devastated by the past failures. What he found to be the most challenging part. How he prepared for this as if it were his second, part-time job. All the way to the resources he used that you can use too. š
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ā RESOURCES MENTIONED:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Courses
Penn State's Architectural Engineering Department
Pennsylvania Engineering Licensing Board
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportDo you know what Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are? Connected Autonomous Vehicles? š¤ Then this interview with one of the industryās traiblazers, Dr. Said El Said, PE, PhD is a must!
Dr. Said is a Transportation Systems Program Manager at Neel-Schaffer, applying technology to transform our transportation infrastructure and optimize our day-to-day use of it.
In this episode, he talks about what he learned from his many years of experience in the tech side of the Transportation industryā¦and what's changing for it in the near future because of it.
From reaching full autonomy with connected autonomous vehicles that communicate with each other and the road, to the use of non-engineering disciplines in the design of transportation projectsā¦all the way to the biggest challenge to get into the field.
The tech-powered future opportunities in the Transportation arena are endless, for sure. Many things you could do and work on, instead of being pigeon-holed to one thing.
So, if youāre starting out and considering a career in Transportation, or already working in the field, youāll want to listen to this one. š
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ā RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDoT)
Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO)
Benha Higher Institute of Technology
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportWhat would you do after failing the PE Exam five times?! š§ And worse, with each and every attempt being a different exam format? From paper-based to CBTā¦all the way to the new specs?! š±
Thatās exactly Tucker Staffordās journey of resilience to get over the PE exam! š„µ
He got started way back in 2020 (when the exam was still paper-based!) and finally cleared the bar in April 2024. ā
He took all the exam formats ever since, sticking with the Transportation exam every time.Ā
His story is the ultimate inspiration for any repeat taker out there, going above and beyond where most people would have simply folded and given up.Ā
If youāre struggling with this exam and have already failed it a few times before, you need to listen to this episode.
Tucker's hard-earned tips and advice will give you the motivation you need to keep pushing forward and get this done and over with as well, no matter how many times you take it. šŖ
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ā RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Should You Switch PE Exams After Multiple Failures?
Official NCEES PE Practice Exams
PPIās Transportation Depth Reference Manual
Mississippi Engineering Boards
Guide for Design of Pavement Structures
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportIs the shortage of civil engineers only a lack of interest in the field by people, or have companies just been offeringā¦well, too little? š¤
In todayās episode, we interview Tyler Wiggins, an engineer turned recruiter that grew a small operation of only three people into a team of talented engineers in the solar industry.
Tyler dives into the big shortage of civil engineers hurting companies big time todayā¦and the ONLY thing they can do to solve this problem.
Here's a hintā¦ š
Offering what every other company offers is not gonna cut it. But what should companies do then, exactly? š¤
Check out this episode to find out lots of ways companies can make their openings much more enticing to attract (and retain!) the civil engineers they desperately need!
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ā RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CEA Episode #116 (The Decline in Civil Engineering Programs)
K2 SystemsCal Poly San Luis Obispo
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportAre self-driving cars really the futureā¦in a country with a traffic fatality rate that (literally) dwarfs that of other countries in Europe and Asia? š š¤
In this episode, Byron Tang, a Senior Transportation Engineer for the City of Hayward, shares invaluable insights on the evolving Transportation landscapeā¦and why Transportation engineers will play a crucial role in the years to come!
He dives into the BIGGEST challenge engineers will face as the industry juggles new technology and the safety concerns they create, as well as the many specialized certifications every Transportation Engineer should get to be part of the future of the industry.
(Youāve seen the bunch of initials after his name, right? š )
Byron has a unique story of getting into this field and a lot of experience over the years leading up to his Senior job position. And in this episode, he shares it all! š¤Æ
If youāre in the field already, this episode will give you awesome insights on how to move forward in your Transportation career. If youāre an early-career engineer thinking of going that route, then Byron has some down-to-earth pieces of advice that will hit you hardā¦but itās true!
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The Transportation Professional Certification Board (TPCB)
Professional Traffic Engineer (TE) License
Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) License
Road Safety Professional (RSP) Certification
Institute of Transportation Engineers
US Traffic Fatality Rate Data Source
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportGetting the PE does wonders for increasing your income. Period! But if you want to become financially better off, shoving that extra dough into traditional 401ks is..well, not the answer! ā
In this episode, I chat with Brian Armstrong, a civil Structural Engineer turned real estate investor whoās used his high salary as an engineer to build a passive income machine with real estate! šø
After 12 years investing in real estate, he realized other engineers (read: you! š«µ) have exactly what it takes to get started in this world as well.Ā
Thatās when he launched Progress Capital Group, a company focused on helping engineers make the money they work hard to getā¦work even harder for them with real estate syndications. šļø
If youāre an engineer with an interest in real estate for passive income, in this episode, Brian spills the beans on how to do it rightā¦just like he did. š
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ā RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
SEC 506b - Private Placements
SEC 506C General solicitation
University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
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Progress Capital Group7 Reasons Ebook
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/civilengineeringacademy/supportWant to know what the latest FE and PE exam pass rates are? Your chances of passing based on graduation date and years of experience? How many people are taking these exams? š¤ Then youāll want to listen to this episode with Mark!
In this one, Mark jumps back on the show to dive into the 2023 NCEES Squared Report. This is your update on the current state of professional engineering licensureā¦directly from the horseās mouth! š
From stats on pass rates to licensure, both in the US and internationally, all the way to trends in the professional journey, this episode spills the beans on whatās currently going on with everything related to getting over these NCEES exams.
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ā RESOURCES MENTIONED:
NCEES 2023 Squared ReportCEA Podcast #51 (Tim Miller)
CEA Podcast #114 (Brandon Hasty)
CEA Podcast #111 (Highest-Paying Engineering Fields)
How to Create a Study Schedule for Your Exam
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
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