The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

Who said you can only do civil engineering as a civil engineer? 🤔 If you think that’s the only way to go, this week’s guest will prove you wrong! Ayo Sokale is a Chartered Engineer in the UK who managed to build a successful career in Water Resources as a woman engineer and also pursue other passions…like becoming a BBC presenter! 😲 In this episode, she dives into the multi-dimensional aspect of...

Who said your PE license is the final act? 🤔 Getting your license and the higher salary that comes with it is a stepping stone for you to achieve something even bigger. In this episode, I chat with Lane Kawaoka about how he used his PE and high-paying engineering job to fuel his real estate investments and make extra cash for his family every month…passively! 😲 He then went on to build a platfor...

Will machine learning replace civil engineers? 😟 The answer is not what you think, whether you answered “yes” or “no.” Today’s guest is Robert Otani, a civil engineer and the Chief Technology Officer at Thornton Tomasetti. In this episode, he talks about how machine learning and AI will impact engineering jobs, as well as how he’s already using AI at his firm’s projects and overall business devel...

From a Mechanical Engineer in Colombia to a graduate student in the US to unemployed driving Uber with two kids…all the way to passing the PE Civil Structural Exam! 😲 Impressed? Well, this is the exact life journey of Esteban Valderrama, our guest for this week’s episode. He got his PE on his third try, and this journey can teach you a lot if you find yourself either taking the Structural PE Exam...

If you think Geotech Engineers only “play in the dirt,” think again! The field has many paths you can choose, from field work to office work…all the way to sales and software! 😲. In this episode, I chat with Hannah Thomas, who’s done it all in the field, to help you find out whether the Geotech route is right for you and what you can do if you go into it, but also how to find the career that’s a...

Technology is changing everything, and believe me, drones are already changing how you do your work on the job site as a civil engineer — and you’ll have to adapt! 👷 So in this episode, Mark and I chat about how we’re using drones in the utility and construction arenas. From project design to construction to inspection to post-construction promotion with some cool images for advertising, drones c...

Artificial Intelligence is the big buzzword nowadays, right? 🤖 So in this episode, I decided to dissect the ways you can use it to help you prepare for your exams in 2024. Believe me, even though there are some limitations, it's a wonderful tool in your toolbelt! From getting you started on developing a study schedule to coming up with theory (and even quantitative) practice problems…and more...

In this episode, I reflect back on all the things we developed here at Civil Engineering Academy in 2023, plus a sneak peek into what we have for you next year. 😉 From adding new team members to a new brand specifically for civil engineers to new courses launching in 2024. That’s right! we’ll keep helping you thrive in your career…way beyond the FE and PE. 📈 👷 Tune in to Learn: The progress of...

How much do civil engineers make? 💸 That’s a question Mark and I answer in this episode by diving into the latest and greatest ASCE Salary Report! In addition to spelling out the numbers, we talk about other important aspects that go into your career, such as job satisfaction, raises, opportunities, etc. Believe it or not, the future is brighter than you think. 😉 Tune in to Learn: The trend in a...

“What’s the easiest of the five PE Civil Exams? 🤔'' That's one question we get all that time, and so I decided to jump into it again. While they’re all difficult and there’s no way around it, the latest NCCES report and other data make it clear which one may be a little less of a challenge. If you’re not sure which one to take, you’ll want to listen to this episode. 😉 Tune in to Lear...

What would your life look like if you could take every Friday off? After the remote/hybrid work trend sparked by COVID, there’s now a new one: the four-day workweek. In this episode, I talk to Mark about this new trend that’s getting traction in other industries, and if it will ever become a thing for us civil engineers. Who wouldn’t like that, right? 😂 Tune in to Learn: The origins of the 4-day...

Wondering what a career in Water Resources looks like? 🤔 Then this episode is for you! Today, I interview Jared Coleman, a Water Resources engineer and a CFM who’s worked in both the private and public sectors. He dives into what you can expect from each, how to choose one, as well as the CFM credential and the work he does in floodplain management with it. If you ever wondered how to get this cr...

Today’s guest is Sam Lamontanaro, a Director of Engineering of Aufgang Architects. We dive into the challenges of sustainability, discussing New York's push for electrification and the ditching of fossil fuels, which will probably get to other states as well. So, from the next decade’s energy-efficient designs and water storage to the value of a PE license for it, we cover it all here! 😉 Tune...

Are you an international civil engineer who got your degree in another country and wants to become a PE in the US? Then this episode is for you! This week I talked to Haral Adler, who details his journey coming from Uruguay to passing his FE & PE in the US and validating his foreign credentials and work experience to get his license. If you find yourself in the same shoes, this episode is a mu...

Have you seen the “CFM” initials after someone’s name and wondered what it is and how to get it? 🤔 Then this is for you! In this episode, I talk with Matt Fanghella about what the Certified Floodplain Manager certification is, what goes into the Certified Floodplain Manager exam, his own journey jumping through the hoops to prepare for it alone...plus a brand-new prep course he put together to he...

Picture this, you work in Transportation and have experience in Construction. Which PE exam do you take? Water Resources! “What?” That’s right. 😂 Today’s guest is Cameron Mclaurin, a previous student of our course who did exactly that, and he explains why in this episode. He also reveals some sweet exam prep tips that helped him, and some guidelines on what to do on test day. Tune in to Learn: Hi...

Struggle to find time to study for your PE Exam or lack motivation to do it? Then check out this interview with Brenton Kreiger! He does awesome work with Engineers in Action building bridges in underserved communities across the globe. And guess what? He managed to pass his Structural PE Exam with a flexible work schedule given his remote team in different time zones! 😲 Tune in to Learn: His jou...

Are you in the Geotech world? Or even better, a woman in Geotech? 🤔 Then you’ll want to listen to this interview with Kimberly Martin, an engineer who’s been knee-deep in Geotech from Day 1 and now leads the sustainability efforts for Keller in North America! 😲 In this episode, she details her own journey and experiences in the field to help you craft your own successful career in the Geotech wo...

Is mass timber the future for tall buildings in seismic regions? 🤔 Well, it may be! In this episode, Mark and I discussed the Tallwood Shake Table Test, which tested cross-laminated timber (CLT) as an alternative material for seismic zones. Contrary to concrete frames that crack in the face of seismic forces, CLT uses a low-damage system! 😲 Check it out ⬇️ Tune in to Learn: A seismic testing of...

With the infrastructure bill and autonomous vehicles, transportation will be a hot industry for the years to come! So today, I interviewed Case Fulcher detailing what the work of a transportation engineer looks like, the software tools they use, the certifications that can help your career (and the ones that don’t), and a lot more! It’s a gold mine for those interested in going into the field, so...

Here’s a fact: civil engineers go to school to learn civil engineering. So, does it mean you can't make your dream of working for yourself or having your own firm a reality? 🤔 Absolutely not! Today, my guest is Brian Liu, the founder of Archipelago. It’s a professional services network that helps you with all the backend business work needed to keep your engineering practice or firm running....

Did you know that policies to blend the PE license with other types of professional work, such as hairstylists, have been going around?! 😲 Today’s guest is Jennifer Ziegler, a civil engineer who’s been on the policy side of the profession, including on Capitol Hill. She dives into how these laws and acts affect your day-to-day, the current actions to make sure they serve the profession, and how y...

Ever thought of moving to a different city for better career opportunities? Yes? 🤔 Then the ASCE has a selected number of them you can start with in their Best Places for Civil Engineers Index . This is a compilation of the top 10 best places in the country for civil engineers based on different factors that go into the life of a civil engineer. If you're considering a move, listen to this to...

Here’s news you don’t hear every day: passing the Civil PE Exam as a mechanical engineer. Yeah, that’s what our guest today did…after 15 years out of school. 😲 Brett Van Hazel is a mechanical engineer who found himself working in more civil-related jobs his whole career and decided to switch his exam to Civil PE — and it worked! If you’re in the same situation but think you're stuck with the...

With climate change becoming the biggest challenge ahead, environmental engineering will dominate the stage. If you have an itch for it and have been wondering how you can get into it as a civil engineer, this episode is for you! Our guest today is Adrienne Burrows, an engineer at Black and Veatch heavily involved in the environmental arena. She lays out her work in the field so you know what you’...