The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

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

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. America's Greatest Civil Engineering Marvels Throughout Its 250 Years

    3d ago

    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

    36 min
  2. 2027 Transportation PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

    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

    15 min
  3. The Top 18 Study Resources for the Construction PE Exam

    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

    22 min
  4. 2027 Water Resources PE Exam Shake-Up: What You Need to Know to Prepare

    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

    12 min
  5. PE Civil Structural Exam vs PE Structural Exam: Why Engineers Are Confused

    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

    13 min
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
See All (346)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

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.

Information

You Might Also Like