The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

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

The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast empowers engineers to pass their exams, accelerate their careers, and become exceptional professionals. Through expert insights and conversations with industry leaders, we explore FE and PE exam strategies, career development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and the latest innovations shaping the engineering profession. Whether you're just starting out or looking to reach the next level, you'll find practical advice and inspiration to help you succeed.

  1. 3d ago

    Building an Engineering Career in the U.S. as a Pakistani Architect with Shahzaib Bangash

    Are you an international engineer looking to build an engineering career in the US? 🤔 It may feel impossible, but our latest guest did it…and without any background in engineering whatsoever. 😲 👇 This week, we sit down with Shahzaib Bangash, who left his Architecture career in Pakistan to build an Engineering career in the US. That’s when he first learned what becoming a PE in the US actually entails. 😅 In this episode, he shares all the details of this journey. From working odd jobs to pay for his Master’s all the way to his experience passing the FE and PE exams after multiple attempts (with a baby on the way on each!) If you're an international professional chasing the American dream, this conversation is packed with proof that your background doesn't define where you end up…and practical advice for how to make it happen. 😉 So, go check it out!  And if you’re an American engineer who happens to know an international engineer working toward licensure in the U.S., be sure to share this one with them! 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: His Journey from Architect in Pakistan to Professional Engineer in the US The Licensure Process He Went Through as an International Professional Do You Need to Prove Anything to Sit for the FE as an International Professional? The Most Important Lesson He Learned in His Prep to Pass the PE How He Bounced Back After a Fail (And His Advice for You to Do the Same) The 2 Metrics That Show You're Ready to Take the FE Exam Why the PE is a Completely Different Beast That Requires 100% of Your Dedication The One Factor That Indicates Which Civil PE Exam You Should Take The Number One Thing You Need to Master for the PE Exam to Do Well on It How to Handle All the Codes for the PE Exam the Right Way How He Passed 2 Civil Engineering Exams With No Background Education on It 2 Challenges International Professionals Face Going to the US What His First US Engineering Job Taught Him (And He Recommends It to Everybody) The Best Moment to Take the PE Exam — And Why How the PE License Has Helped Him in His Career So Far His Top Tip for Anyone Going Against the FE and PE Exams Why He Recommends Civil Engineering Academy's FE and PE Study Materials 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED NCDOT Transportation Engineering Associate (TEA) Program The Green Book Roadside Design Guide Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) North Carolina Department of Transportation Mehran University of Engineering and Technology North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University 💬 CONNECT WITH SHAHZAIB: 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 isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

    Building an Engineering Career in the U.S. as a Pakistani Architect with Shahzaib Bangash

  2. Jul 24

    2027 Geotech PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

    If the Geotechnical PE Exam is on your radar for 2027, then this next episode in our walkthrough series on the upcoming 2027 NCEES specification updates is for you! 👇 For this one, we dive into the geotechnical specifications and do what we did for the Water Resources, Transportation, and Construction exams — compare the current specs with the new one so you know exactly what's changing in 2027…and what isn't. The good news? 🤔 The exam topics themselves have stayed the same. The real story is the updated codes and standards you'll need to be familiar with on exam day.  So, if you’re planning to take the Geotech PE Exam next year, you’ll want to listen to this one to know what you’ll be up against — and how to prep for it. 💪 🚨 REMINDER 🚨 The official PDF document released by the NCEES for the 2027 specifications states that it’s effective 2024 for the exam content, and then that it’s effective 2027 when you scroll down to the codes and standards section. That’s correct! It means that the only thing they changed was the codes required — that’s why it reads “2027” — but the exam topics and content remain the same from the 2024 specs. Don’t let this technicality throw you off! 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: Where to Find the New Specs for the Geotech PE Exam (+ Exam Info Recap) How Much Does the PE Exam Cost?  The Process to Apply for the PE Exam...And The Importance of Having the FE Done How the NCEES Goes About Updating the Specs  Where to Find the Required Exam Resources (And How to Use Them on Exam Day) The NCEES Guide and Official Prep Materials for Test-Takers Where to Apply for ADA Accommodations for the PE Exam Where to Find the Latest Pass Rates on the Official Exam The Biggest Confusion With the New Specs: Why Does It Read "Effective 2024"?  What's Changing in the Exam Content in 2027 — or is It? What's Changing in the Design Standards for Geotech in 2027 The Increase in the Number of Codes Over the Years (+ The Key to Handle Them All) 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Our Civil PE Courses Our Civil FE Course Civil PE Exam Page 2024 Civil PE Geotechnical Exam Specifications 2027 Civil PE Geotechnical Exam Specifications 2027 Water Resources Specs Review Episode 2027 Transportation Specs Review Episode 2027 Construction Specs Review Episode NCEES YouTube Channel NCEES Video Tutorial on Searching the Handbook NCEES Examinee Guide NCEES Exam Prep Materials NCEES ADA Accommodations Page CEA Episode 250 (Nicole Hatfield on ADA Accommodations for the PE) 🎁 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

    2027 Geotech PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

  3. Jul 16

    2027 Construction PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

    Taking the Construction PE Exam? 🤔 Then check out this next episode in our series breaking down the upcoming 2027 NCEES specs for all civil PE exams. This time focused on Construction. 👇 In this one, just like we did for the Water Resources and Transportation exams, we compare the current 2024 specs with the new ones effective April 2027 so you know exactly what's changing — and what isn't. The biggest surprise? The exam content is staying exactly the same. That’s right. No changes at all. The real shake-up, though, is in the codes and standards you'll need to know (and use!) on exam day. So, we walk you through everything in the news specs — and what each one of them means for your exam prep — to help you cut through the confusion, stay ahead of the changes, and walk into the exam room with confidence. 💪 If you’re taking the Construction PE Exam, go give this one a listen. You’ll thank us later. 😉 🚨 REMINDER 🚨 The official PDF document released by the NCEES for the 2027 specifications states that it’s effective 2024 for the exam content, and then that it’s effective 2027 when you scroll down to the codes and standards section. That’s correct! It means that the only thing they changed was the codes required — that’s why it reads “2027” — but the exam topics and content remain the same from the 2024 specs. Don’t let this technicality throw you off! 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: How the NCEES Goes About Updating the Specs (And It's Not as Bad as You Think) What's New for You If You're Taking the PE Construction Exam in 2027  Where to Find the New Specs for the Construction Exam The Biggest Confusion With the New 2027 Specs Making People Go Crazy  PE Exam Format Recap Will the Exam Content Change With the New 2027 Specifications? What's REALLY Changing in the Construction Exam...And Why You Need to Know A Deep Dive into the New Codes and Standards Required for the Exam  The Increase in the Number of Codes in the PE Exam Over the Years How We Can Help You If You Need to Pass the PE Will the PE Exam Change Again? Short Answer: Definitely What to Do If You Have Questions About the New 2027 Specs  🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Our PE Construction Review Course Civil PE Exam Page 2024 Civil PE Construction Exam Specifications 2027 Civil PE Construction Exam Specifications 2027 Water Resources Specs Review Episode 2027 Transportation Specs Review Episode CEA Episode 250 (Nicole Hatfield on ADA Accommodations for the PE) 🎁 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

    2027 Construction PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

  4. Jul 9

    America's Greatest Civil Engineering Marvels Throughout Its 250 Years

    What do the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Interstate Highway System have in common? 🤔 Here it is. 👇 They weren’t just projects to solve specific problems — they helped shape America into the huge, powerful country it is today! 🇺🇸 And since America just turned 250 years old last Saturday, we thought it'd be fun to look back at some of these greatest civil engineering marvels that changed the nation's future for the better. Therefore, in this episode, Mark jumps back on the show to talk through the projects we believe had the biggest impact on the country's growth, economy, and everyday life. From connecting the East and West to bringing electricity to millions, you'll hear the stories behind these projects and why the civil engineers who worked on them have played such a huge role in building the America we know today. 😉 So, go give this one a listen to learn more about the projects that built America over its 250 years…and let us know which other civil engineering marvels you would’ve added to the list. 👍 🧠 Historical Projects Covered: The Transcontinental Railroad and Its Economic Impact (Till This Date!) The Ground-Breaking Brooklyn Bridge The Impact of US Engineering Outside of the US With the Panama Canal The Concrete Ingenuity of the Hoover Dam The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Next to the Hoover Dam The Innovation of the Golden Gate Bridge The Role of the Tennessee Valley Authority to Electrify Rural America Roosevelt's Rural Electrification Administration (REA) The Interstate Highway System That Connected America The Magnitude of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing California's Central Valley Project for Water Management 🚨 OUR FOURTH OF JULY SALE IS LIVE! 🚨 Discount: 25% OFF any review course Code at Checkout: JULY42026 Deadline: July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM MST 🎁 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

    America's Greatest Civil Engineering Marvels Throughout Its 250 Years

  5. Jul 2

    2027 Transportation PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

    After diving into the new specs for the Water Resources PE, it’s time to do the same for the Transportation PE Exam and figure out what’s actually changing in 2027 if you’re taking this one. 👇 The good news? You can breathe a little easier. 😅 The exam itself isn't getting turned upside down (yet), but there are some important changes you need to know. Especially when it comes to the codes and standards you'll be expected to use on exam day — and there are quite a few of them! 😲 Therefore, in this episode, we compare the current specifications with the new version going into effect in 2027, clear up some of the misunderstandings floating around online, and talk through what these updates really mean for your exam prep.  If you listened to our Water Resources PE specs breakdown, this follows the exact same format — but, this time, it's all about Transportation. So, go give this one a listen if Transportation is your path and get ahead of the 2027 changes before they sneak up on you! 👍 🚨 REMINDER 🚨 The official PDF document released by the NCEES for the 2027 specifications states that it’s effective 2024 for the exam content, and then that it’s effective 2027 when you scroll down to the codes and standards section. That’s correct, and it really means that the only thing they changed was the codes required — that’s why it reads “2027” — but the exam topics and content remain the same from the 2024 specs. Don’t let this technicality throw you off! 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: Where to Find the New Specifications for the Transportation Exam Will the Format of the PE Exam Change With the Exam Specification Changes? How Much It Costs to Take the PE Exam? The Biggest Confusion With the New 2027 Specs Making People Go Crazy What Changed in the Exam Content With the New 2027 Specifications How the Codes and Standards Will Change With the New Specs How the Search Function Works During the Exam That Forces You to Know the Codes  What Pass Rates Reveal About the Transportation PE That's Never Happened Before How We Can Help You on Your Journey to the PE License This Week's shoutouts to CEA students Who Passed Their Exams 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: PE Exam Overview Page 2024 Civil PE Transportation Exam Specifications 2027 Civil PE Transportation Exam Specifications NCEES Account Page NCEES YouTube Channel CEA Episode 333 (The Latest FE & PE Exam Stats) CEA Episode 343 (New PE Water Resources Specs Review) Our PE Transportation Review Course Our PE Transportation Practice Exam Our 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 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

    2027 Transportation PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

  6. Jun 18

    The Top 18 Study Resources for the Construction PE Exam

    Gearing up for the Construction PE Exam and wondering which materials are actually worth your money to get this done? 🤔 If yes, then here’s something you need to keep in mind. 👇 Even though the exam is closed-book, using only the PE Civil Reference Handbook and codes listed in the specs won’t cut it! ❌ With Construction having the lowest pass rates among all five Civil PE disciplines, you need a solid theory review, plenty of practice problems, and realistic exam simulations if you want to get this over with. So, in this episode, we decided to share our hand-picked list of the top 18 study resources for the Construction PE Exam that you can choose from based on what works for you. Go give it a listen to find out the resources that can help you get over this thing once and for all! 😉 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: The 3 Main Categories of Any Good Exam Prep 5 Resources to Brush Up on the Theory 6 Books That Give You Almost 500 Problems to Practice With 7 Realistic Practice Exams for You to Simulate the Real Deal How to Approach Problem-Solving the Right Way When Studying for the PE How to Take Practice Exams Effectively When Prepping 📖 THEORY REVIEW: PE Civil Reference Manual Construction Depth Reference Manual PE Civil Exam Review Guide: Construction All-in-One PE Civil Exam Guide: Breadth and Depth Construction Methods and Management ✍️ PRACTICE PROBLEMS: PE Civil Practice Problems Six-Minute Solutions: Construction Depth Problems PE Civil Construction Workbook Construction Practice Problems for the PE Civil Exam 100 Bonus Construction Theory Questions All-in-One PE Civil Practice Exams 🖥️ PRACTICE EXAMS: NCEES PE Civil Construction Practice Exam Construction Depth Practice Exams Construction Depth PE Civil Engineering Exams The Ultimate Construction PE Exam Construction Depth Practice Exam and Assessment Guide Practice Exam for the Civil PE: Breadth + Construction Depth PE CBT Exam Simulator 📄 OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED: Best Exam Prep Resources for the Water Resources PE Exam PE Civil Reference Manual Review PE Civil Construction Exam Review Guide Review The Importance of Practice Exams to Your Prep 🎁 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

    The Top 18 Study Resources for the Construction PE Exam

  7. Jun 18

    2027 Water Resources PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

    Have you heard the Water Resources PE Exam is changing in 2027 and are now wondering if it’s time to panic already? 😅 Don’t worry — you can put the paper bag away because we did the work for you. 👇 In this episode, we do a deep dive into the new exam specifications effective in April 2027! We break down exactly what's changing, what's staying the same, and why a lot of engineers are making this update seem way scarier than it is. Really. While the exam content itself hasn't been turned completely upside down (yet), there is one HUGE change that you need to have on your radar if you’re planning to take the Water Resources PE Exam. This single change signals an important shift in how you'll need to approach your exam prep moving forward, especially when it comes to the resources you'll have available on exam day. So, if the 2027 specifications have been floating around your LinkedIn feed, study group, or office conversations, this episode will help you separate fact from fiction and keep your prep pointed in the right direction. 😉 Go check it out! 🚨 REMINDER 🚨 There is a typo in the official PDF document released by the NCEES for the 2027 specifications that states it’s “effective 2024.” However, that’s not the case. The actual exam content and the new codes and standards listed in that document are still valid beginning 2027. So don't let the typo throw you off! 🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN: Where to Find the New Specifications for the Water Resources Exam The Biggest Misunderstanding With the New Specs Making People Go Crazy How Much Has the Specs Changed When Comparing the Two? What Really Changed in the New Specs Effective in 2027 (And It's BIG!) The Surprising Trend With the Water Resources PE Exam And How to Deal With It How to Get to Know the Exam Experience Before the Real Deal What Are Your Thoughts on the New Specs? What This New Specs Will Do to Water Resources Test-Takers and Its High Pass Rates 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 2024 Civil PE Water Resources Exam Specifications 2027 Civil PE Water Resources Exam Specifications CEA PE CBT Exam Simulator CEA Civil PE Water Resources Course 🎁 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

    2027 Water Resources PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

  8. Jun 11

    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

    PE Civil Structural Exam vs PE Structural Exam: Why Engineers Are Confused
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The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast empowers engineers to pass their exams, accelerate their careers, and become exceptional professionals. Through expert insights and conversations with industry leaders, we explore FE and PE exam strategies, career development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and the latest innovations shaping the engineering profession. Whether you're just starting out or looking to reach the next level, you'll find practical advice and inspiration to help you succeed.

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