The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

Isaac Oakeson
  • 4.9 (21)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast - your ultimate guide to everything related to civil engineering! Our goal is to support you at every stage of your journey to becoming a successful professional civil engineer, and to help you enhance your career and personal life. We share our expertise and provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you succeed. Join us for informative and engaging discussions on exam preparation strategies, career development, and cutting-edge engineering innovations. Whether you're preparing to ace the civil FE or PE exam, looking to adv

  1. PE Civil Structural Exam vs PE Structural Exam: Why Engineers Are Confused

    6d ago

    PE Civil Structural Exam vs PE Structural Exam: Why Engineers Are Confused

    Ever found yourself staring at the NCEES website wondering why there seems to be two exams for Structural Engineering folks — the PE Civil: Structural Exam and the PE Structural Exam? 🤔 You're definitely not alone!  This is one of the most common points of confusion for structural engineers.  In fact, just some time ago, one of our own students emailed us asking if they were supposed to use the PE Structural Engineering Reference Handbook for the PE Exam. Hint: the answer is no! While their names and reference materials may sound almost identical, they're completely different exams built completely differently. That’s when we knew we needed to talk about this! In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the differences between the PE Civil: Structural Exam and the PE Structural Exam (better known by many as the SE Exam). We break down where the confusion comes from, why so many engineers mix these exams up, and how to determine which path makes the most sense for your goals.  By the end, you'll have a much clearer picture of what's what and where you fit into it…so you can cut through the noise and avoid heading down the wrong road.  So, if you've ever scratched your head over the PE Structural vs. SE exam conversation, go give this quick episode a listen and let's put an end to this dilemma once and for all. 😉 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: The Big Thing That Happened in 2024 That Caused This ConfusionWhy People Get Confused About These 2 Exam on the NCEES WebsiteThe Difference Between the PE Civil: Structural Exam and the PE Structural ExamThe Specifications and the Basics of the PE Structural ExamWhich One is Designed for Those in the Structural Engineering World3 Pieces of Advice for You to Decide Which One You Need (Or Both) 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: PE Civil: Structural Exam Page PE Structural Exam Page 🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU: The Civil FE Startup Guide The Civil PE Startup Guide FREE Floodplain Manager Course Module 🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES: Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course 📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS: FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Bonus Theory Questions PE Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Floodplain Management Training Workbook FE Environmental Practice Exam PE Environmental Practice Exam 📱 CONNECT WITH CEA! Website Newsletter Free CEA Community LinkedIn YouTube Channel support@civilengineeringacademy.com

    13 min
  2. Motherhood, a Career Break, and Passing the PE Exam With Anellise Deters

    Jun 4

    Motherhood, a Career Break, and Passing the PE Exam With Anellise Deters

    Imagine this: you step away from civil engineering for years to raise your kids, and then come back to the profession and have to pull off one of the biggest achievements in everybody’s career right off the bat? 🤔 That's exactly the road Anellise Deters traveled on her way to becoming a licensed PE. And there’s more — she did that all while being a mother of three kids! Exactly. I reacted the same way: What the heck?! 😯 In this episode, she dives into this exact journey, sharing the lessons, tips, and resources she learned the hard way as she prepped for the Water Resources PE exam, picked herself up after a first failed attempt, and got it done on the second try. Yes. It wasn’t smooth sailing at all. But as she also dives into the opportunities that opened up for her after earning those two letters next to her name, you’ll see why it’s totally worth “the trouble.” 😉 If you've ever wondered whether you've been out of civil engineering for too long, don't have enough time to study because of family, or can’t bounce back after a failed attempt…this interview is 100% for you. Period.  Go check it out! 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: Her Journey Going into Civil Engineering, Out of It, and Now Back into It Why She Wanted the PE License What Actually Made Her Go for the PE After Coming Back into the Industry How She Balanced Family With Studying for the PE Is the PE License More Heavily Demanded in the Public or Private Sector? How She Found Civil Engineering Academy (and Went for It!)  What She Enjoyed the Most About The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course Her Top 2 Tips for Anyone Prepping for the PE Exam, If You Want to Pass How She Picked Herself Up from a Failed Attempt...And You Can, Too Should You Really Wait Years to Take the PE? Here's Why the Answer is No. The Maximum Number of Questions You Can Blind-Guess on the PE Were There a Lot of Theory Questions on the PE Exam? Was She Satisfied With the Student Support at CEA? Why She Took the Water Resources Exam...Without Ever Working in Water Resources  How She Handled All the Codes for the PE (With Some Help from AI)  How Much Time is Enough to Let Emotions Settle After a Fail And Get Back to Study? When is the Best Time to Take the PE in Any of the Testing Windows? What to Do After You Find Out You Failed The Doors the PE License Opened for Her The Non-Studying Tip She Learned the Hard Way That You Need to Live By  Does She Recommend Civil Engineering Academy? 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED Our PE Review Course 100 Bonus Water Resources Theory Questions 500-Problem PE Civil Water Resources Book CEA Podcast Ep 300 (Switching Exams After a Fail?) New 2027 PE Exam Specifications USA Employment Website Bureau of Reclamation IMEG Utah State University ChatGPT 💬 CONNECT WITH ANELLISE LinkedIn 🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU The Civil FE Startup Guide The Civil PE Startup Guide FREE Floodplain Manager Course Module 🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Floodplain Manager Review Course 📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Bonus Theory Questions PE Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Floodplain Manager Training Workbook FE Environmental Practice Exam PE Environmental Practice Exam 📱 CONNECT WITH CEA Website Newsletter FREE CEA Community LinkedIn YouTube Channel isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

    39 min
  3. The Top 14 Study Materials for the Water Resources PE Exam

    May 28

    The Top 14 Study Materials for the Water Resources PE Exam

    Picking your study materials for the Water Resources PE exam is like going down a rabbit hole. 😵‍💫 Everybody swears by a different resource and, before you know it, you’ve got 30+ options and no clue where to even start. That’s exactly why we put this episode together! In this one, we break down our top picks for PE Water Resources study materials for each one of the three main aspects of any good exam prep.  This list is based on our own journey and what we’ve heard from our students for more than a decade now about the resources that worked and helped them cross the finish line. If you’ve been overwhelmed trying to figure out which study resources to get to prepare for the Water resources PE Exam, this episode narrows down your options and gives you a hand-picked stack to choose from. No matter which ones you choose out of that stack, they will move the needle forward for you. 😉 So, go give this episode a listen to learn what these battle-tested, proven materials are! 🧠 IN THIS EPISODE: The 3 Aspects of Any Good Exam Prep The Top 4 Study Materials  to Brush up on Theory The 5 Best Practice Problem Books to Get Sample Questions From 5 Realistic Practice Exams to Simulate the Real Deal 3 Things You Need to Know About Any Resource You Get 📖 THEORY REVIEW: PE Civil Water Resources and Environmental Review Manual Water Resources and Environmental Depth Reference Manual Water Resources and Environmental Depth Practice Exams and Study Guide PE All-in-One Exam Guide: Breadth and Depth ✍️ PRACTICE PROBLEMS: PE Civil Practice Problems Six-Minute Solutions for the Civil PE Water Resources and Environmental Depth Exam Water Resources Practice Problems All-in-One Civil Engineering PE Practice Exams: Breadth and Depth 100 Bonus Water Resources Theory Questions 🖥️ PRACTICE EXAMS: NCEES PE Civil Water Resources & Environmental Practice Exam Water Resources and Environmental Depth Practice Exams Practice Exam for the Civil PE Exam: Breadth + Water Resources Depth The Ultimate Water Resources PE Exam (PDF) The Ultimate Water Resources PE Exam (Paperback) The Ultimate PE CBT Exam Simulator 🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU The Civil FE Startup Guide The Civil PE Startup Guide FREE Floodplain Manager Course Module 🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Floodplain Manager Review Course 📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Bonus Theory Questions PE Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Floodplain Manager Training Workbook FE Environmental Practice Exam PE Environmental Practice Exam 📱 CONNECT WITH CEA Website Newsletter FREE CEA Community LinkedIn YouTube Channel support@civilengineeringacademy.com

    19 min
  4. A Deep Dive into the World of Land Development With Jason Cheramie, PE

    May 21

    A Deep Dive into the World of Land Development With Jason Cheramie, PE

    Ever wondered what civil engineers working in land development actually do? 🤔 That’s a possible career path most civil engineers never hear about…until now! 👇 For this episode, land development & stormwater management specialist Jason Cherami, PE, jumps on the show to break down the career path that turns raw land into functional spaces for both residential and commercial uses. In this episode, we talk about all things land development. From what the work looks like, the pain of getting permits, the pressure that comes after construction kicks off…all the way to the skills and certifications civil engineers need to succeed in the field. 👍 If you’re curious about this branch of civil engineering — or thinking about jumping into it yourself — there’s a ton of practical insight packed into this conversation that can supercharge your path (and growth) into land development. 🔥 So, go give this one a listen! 🎧 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: What a Career in Land Development is Like and What You Do The Critical Skill for a Good Career in Land Development The Biggest Issue That Makes Land Development Difficult (And Why) The Software Tools You Need to Learn to Get a Leg Up in Land Development The ONE Thing Young Land Development Professionals Need to Take to Heart His Biggest Lesson Learned That Land Development Folks Need to Live By The Top 3 Factors in Any Land Development Project (in the Right Order of Importance!) The Groups of People You Work With When You're in Land Development The Responsibility of the Land Development Professional After Construction Begins The Tech Advancements in Land Development (And the Problem With Using Them) What Certifications Do Land Development Professionals Need? His Experience With the FE and PE Exams in North Carolina AI Advancements in Land Development…and Why It'll Never Replace the People in It His Most Important Piece of Advice for the Younger Generation of Engineers 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) AutoCAD GIS YouTube ChatGPT Civil 3D Microsoft Excel Bentley Software Bentley OpenRoads North Carolina State University 💬 CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn jc.engr.pe@gmail.com 🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU The Civil FE Startup Guide The Civil PE Startup Guide FREE Floodplain Manager Course Module 🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Floodplain Manager Review Course 📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Bonus Theory Questions PE Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Floodplain Manager Training Workbook FE Environmental Practice Exam PE Environmental Practice Exam 📱 CONNECT WITH CEA Website Newsletter FREE CEA Community LinkedIn YouTube Channel support@civilengineeringacademy.com

    31 min
  5. How Top AEC Firms Are Using AI Today With Bhragan Paramanantham

    May 15

    How Top AEC Firms Are Using AI Today With Bhragan Paramanantham

    You've probably been hearing all the AI buzz in civil engineering over and over again. A new tool here. A possible new use there. But how is all the new tech being actually implemented at AEC firms? 🤔 That’s why this episode with Bhragan Paramanantham is so enlightening!  He started as a civil engineer out in the field doing normal, day-to-day tasks while asking himself “There’s gotta be a better way to do this.”  That curiosity eventually pulled him into the world of innovation and tech in the AEC industry…and he’s been at the thick of it ever since, helping companies roll out AI adoption and training at scale! 😲 In this episode he dives deep into all the uses (and risks) of AI in the AEC industry based on his own experience as the Innovation Advisor at AECOM and his current role at an accelerator for AEC-focused startups. If you’ve been putting this whole AI thing on the back burner, you’re already getting behind. This episode is a must-listen to stay ahead of the curve with AI and construction tech. 👍 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: The Struggles of Being in a Tech Role in the AEC Industry Does AI Really Put Civil Engineers' Jobs a Risk? The Simplest Way Civil Engineers Can Start Learning How to Use AI How AEC Firms Can Start Using AI (+ Case Studies to Get Your Firm Going) His Current Work With the "YCombinator for AEC-Focused Startups" His Experience at AECOM as the Innovation Advisor to Kickoff Its AI Training Program The 2 Biggest Barriers to AI Adoption in AEC (And How to Solve Them) What the AEC Industry Looks Like 5-10 Years from Now With AI His Favorite AI Tool You Can Use Too (and It's Not ChatGPT) What He's Most Excited About in the AEC World Today The Engineering Buyout: Are AEC Firms Becoming AI Firms (And Why)? How AI Will Slide into the Civil Engineer's Work, Not Replace It How to Dive into Construction Tech 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED Last Week in ConTech Newsletter ChatGPT Claude Cowork OpenClaw Consigli AECOM Acquisition of Consigli Formwork Labs Brick & Mortar Ventures AECOM WSP Autodesk 💬 CONNECT WITH BHRAGAN LinkedIn His Newsletter 🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU The Civil FE Startup Guide The Civil PE Startup Guide FREE Floodplain Manager Course Module 🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Floodplain Manager Review Course 📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Bonus Theory Questions PE Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Floodplain Manager Practice Exam FE Environmental Practice Exam PE Environmental Practice Exam 📱 CONNECT WITH CEA Website Newsletter FREE CEA Community LinkedIn YouTube Channel support@civilengineeringacademy.com

    31 min
  6. Passing the PE After Getting into Civil Engineering by Accident With Jared Foulk

    May 7

    Passing the PE After Getting into Civil Engineering by Accident With Jared Foulk

    From dreaming of the Air Force to finding his calling in civil engineering and becoming a PE, today’s guest is a testament to the twists life throws at us…and some of them can be a blessing! 👇 In this episode, we have Jared Foulk on the show. He’s a civil engineer in Washington who recently passed the Water Resources PE Exam, and is here to spill the beans on everything he learned on this journey. He talks about the ups and downs of prepping for (and passing) the PE exam himself, what he did to prep, and how passing it can boost your career almost instantly — just like it did for him. He also dives into why civil engineering is a fantastic field right now, especially with the current demand for PEs and the lack of workforce to fill in those shoes the companies are hiring for. If you're gearing up for the PE to boost your career and want to hear the hard-learned lessons from someone who’s walked the walk and crossed the finish line, this episode is packed with golden nuggets of wisdom you’ll love. Go check it out! 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: His Journey into Civil Engineering from an Initial Air Force Dream Job Is a Civil Degree Easier to Get Than a Mechanical Degree? How He Learned (the Hard Way) That the Civil FE Exam is Required After School What Pushed Him to Go Get the PE Do You Need a Master's to Do Well in Civil Engineering? His Experience Taking the Water Resources PE Exam What He Worried About and Struggled With the Most When Prepping for the PE How He Found CEA Using AI...and Decided to Go With It What He Liked About CEA's PE Review Course That Helped Him (a Lot!) Another Aspect of the Course That Streamlined His Studies What His Exam Prep Journey Looked Like from Start to Finish The Score to Shoot for on Practice Exams Did He Feel Confident Going into the Exam With Our Course? The Importance of a Support System When Studying for the PE How He Prepped to Apply for Licensure...Before He Even Took the Exam The Immediate Impact of Passing the PE Exam on His Career Why It's a Really Good Time to Be a Civil Engineer His Hard-Learned Lessons for Those Taking the PE Soon 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED Civil PE Review CourseAir Force ROTC University of Washington 💬 CONNECT WITH JARED LinkedIn 🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU The Civil FE Startup Guide The Civil PE Startup Guide FREE Floodplain Manager Course Module 🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Floodplain Manager Review Course 📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Bonus Theory Questions PE Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Floodplain Manager Practice Exam FE Environmental Practice Exam PE Environmental Practice Exam 📱 CONNECT WITH CEA Website Newsletter FREE CEA Community LinkedIn YouTube Channel support@civilengineeringacademy.com

    30 min
  7. How Latino Engineers are Shaping the Future of Infrastructure With Azael Garza

    Apr 30

    How Latino Engineers are Shaping the Future of Infrastructure With Azael Garza

    Civil engineering shapes the world around us, but not everyone sees themselves in it. For some, finding role models who’ve been there is tough…and that’s exactly what Azael Garza had  to overcome. 👇 Azael is civil engineer with a latino heritage that went from a small-town math student to launching his own firm and working for himself at Aztlan Engineering, all while keeping the memories of his ancestors alive. In this episode, he dives into this solo journey and everything had to push through to get where he’s at right now given the lack of representation problem in the industry. The FE and PE exams. The challenges of running a firm. What pushed him to finally go all in on building something of his own. All of this as a Latino Civil Engineer in a small town in Georgia! 😲 So, if you’ve ever thought about starting your own thing one day, or you’re looking for a latino who’s carved out their own lane in this field, this episode is worth your time. It’s honest, inspiring, and full of lessons you can immediately apply…from someone who’s walked the walk. Go give it a listen! 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: How His First Job After School Motivated Him to Start His Own Firm What He Did to Prepare to Start Working for Himself How He Finally Took the Leap and Ventured Out on His Own The Biggest Issue He Faces Building His Firm (And You Will Too If You Start Yours) A Big Business Secret Any Engineering Firm Owner Needs to Know to Get More Clients One of the Biggest Downsides of the Civil Engineering Field What Makes a Civil Engineering Degree Difficult (And It's Not Academic Rigor) The Hidden Nature of Civil Engineering Most People Don't Recognize Why Small Engineering Firms are Better to Work at Than Giant Conglomerates His Experience With the FE & PE Exams (And How Totally Different They Are!) A Shift in Education Pursuits by the Younger Generation How CEA Helped Azael in His Journey to PE and Firm Owner 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Civil PE Review Course University of Georgia Toyota Industries 💬 CONNECT WITH AZAEL: Aztlan Engineering A.Garza@AztlanEngineering.com 🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU: The Civil FE Startup Guide The Civil PE Startup Guide FREE Floodplain Manager Course Module 🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES: Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Floodplain Manager Review Course 📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS: FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Bonus Theory Questions PE Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Floodplain Manager Practice Exam FE Environmental Practice Exam PE Environmental Practice Exam 📱 CONNECT WITH CEA! Website Newsletter FREE CEA Community LinkedIn YouTube Channel support@civilengineeringacademy.com

    41 min
  8. The Skills That Will Save Your Civil Engineering Career With Peter Nabhan

    Apr 24

    The Skills That Will Save Your Civil Engineering Career With Peter Nabhan

    AI is making its way into civil engineering fast. Whether you like it or not, it’s changing the rules of the game already. So, the only possible question left is: are you keeping up…or getting left behind? 🤔 In this episode, we chat with Peter Nabhan, a PE who pioneered the transition of a big AEC firm to adopting technology and now works at the intersection of civil engineering, business leadership, and tech. After seeing the negative impacts of a lack of AI mastery on civil engineers’ careers, he decided to help them get ready for the “AI age” that’s coming for all of those in the industry — again, whether you like it or not. So, if you want to future-proof your career and not get blindsided — or worse, fired! — by what’s coming, this is one of those conversations you don’t want to miss. It’s practical, honest, and a bit of a wake-up call, to be honest.  As the saying goes, “the only thing constant is change.” So, you’ll need to change if you want to keep your job in the (very) near future. 😲 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: The Biggest Challenge AEC Firms Face Today What He Created to Help Firms Solve This Big Challenge (+ How to Do It) How He Gravitated Toward the Tech Side of Civil Engineering How He Manages the Different Initiatives He Works on the Tech Side Why He Got into Civil Engineering Specifically The Gap in Civil Engineering Education That Engineers Need to Fill on Their Own How AI is Making Its Way into Civil Engineering (And Why You Need to Master It) His Tips for Young Engineers to Find Mentors...Based on His Own Experience A Lesson from Peter's Journey That All Engineers Should Learn From The Life Advice Every Single Engineer Should Listen to 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Engineering News Record Terracon ECS Group of Companies 💬 CONNECT WITH PETER: LinkedIn peter.nabhan@ecslimited.com AECentric 🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU: The Civil FE Startup Guide The Civil PE Startup Guide FREE Floodplain Manager Course Module 🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES: Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course 📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS: FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Bonus Theory Questions PE Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Floodplain Manager Practice Exam FE Environmental Practice Exam PE Environmental Practice Exam 📱 CONNECT WITH CEA Website Newsletter FREE CEA Community LinkedIn YouTube Channel support@civilengineeringacademy.com

    29 min
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Welcome to The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast - your ultimate guide to everything related to civil engineering! Our goal is to support you at every stage of your journey to becoming a successful professional civil engineer, and to help you enhance your career and personal life. We share our expertise and provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you succeed. Join us for informative and engaging discussions on exam preparation strategies, career development, and cutting-edge engineering innovations. Whether you're preparing to ace the civil FE or PE exam, looking to adv

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