Mudasir Gulzar’s Journey to Pass the Geotech PE Exam with CEA

Ever wondered how you can work as a civil engineer for the federal government? Then check this out: my guest today is Alex Kolkena, a professional civil engineer who worked his way into the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. In this episode, he details his own steps, dives into the pros and cons of working for the US government, and answers all your questions about how you can do the same! 😉 Tune in to Learn: Alex's journey into civil engineering from the military side How to land a job at the US Army Corps of Engineers — and what it's like working there The two most notable military projects he worked on as an engineer in the armed forces The biggest challenge of the Civil FE Exam and his top 2 tips to prepare for it The tricky secret of the Civil PE Exam that makes you fail if you don't get it How you should deal with failing your exams and how to go about your next attempt Pros and cons of working for the federal government FREE Download: The Ultimate Civil PE Exam Startup Guide Resources Mentioned: US Army Corps of Engineers Defense Threat Reduction Agency Ramstein High School ROTC Scholarship Brigham Young University USA Jobs Clark Construction U.S. Customs and Border Protection Civil Engineering Reference Manual Civil FE Exam Specifications Federal Employees Retirement System Thrift Savings Plan US Air National Guard US Department of Defense Connect With Alex: LinkedIn YouTube Channel CEA Exam Prep Materials: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Join the CEA Family: Free Newsletter Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

7 Heinä 202330min

Do you feel like the work never ends? That you don’t you have enough quality time with your family? That you’re not as productive as before? If yes, then you might be stressed out. In this episode, Mark and I dive into how civil engineers can navigate the stress that comes with the work, from stress triggers and symptoms to ways to cope with it for your sanity. Tune in to Learn: Is Civil Engineering a stressful profession — if yes, is it worth it? Subtle stress triggers you need to pay attention to in your day-to-day life 5 obvious signs you're completely stressed out that most engineers neglect 10+ strategies to get your stress levels down to zero Decisions you make yourself add even more stress to your career How hobbies can be effective tools to cope with stress (if done right) Why the Quiet Quitting trend relates back to stress mismanagement Our Partners: Audible Built Bar CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Join the CEA Family: Free Newsletter Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

30 Kesä 202327min

If you plan to become a professional civil engineer, then this episode is for you! Today, Mark and I dive into the latest NCEES Squared report detailing the stats about its professional exams (aka your FE, PE, and SE exams), the current state of licensure in the country, and the organization's programs to help you track your PDHs and get licensed in other states — and even from other countries! 😲 Tune in to Learn: The total number of test-takers by exam type Insights into the SE Exam transition to CBT in 2023 The NCEES Records Program — and how it helps you get licensed in other states An easy way to track all your PDHs in one place with the NCEES CPC tracking system 2 possible reasons for the decrease in the overall volume of exams Why were the Surveying exams the only ones that had an increase in volume? Places outside the US where you can take the PE exam and earn the PE license 2 STEM outreach organizations supported by the NCEES The official NCEES podcast — and the story behind how it started Our Partner: Built Bar Resources Mentioned: NCEES Squared Report SE Exam DiscoverE Organization MATHCOUNTS Foundation CEA Episode #51 (Tim Miller) NCEES Advance PodcastUniversity of UtahNCEES CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

23 Kesä 202323min

If you’ve ever thought of going into management roles or even venturing out on your own and starting your own firm, then this will serve you well. My guest today is Sol Rosenbaum, who went from engineer to manager to firm owner in his 17+ years in the energy field. He dives into each one of these roles to help you understand their pros and cons and decide what’s a better fit for you. Check this out! 😉 Tune in to Learn: Tips for engineers who want to start their own business, from a firm owner himself The biggest business mistake Sol made when starting his own firm that you should avoid 4 reasons engineers don't start their own business — plus a simpler alternative to try Considering a master's degree? There's one thing you need to know before you go for it The 2 main certifications in the energy engineering world — and it’s not the LEED The biggest challenge with implementing energy-efficient projects The most common software tools used in the energy efficiency industry you should learn Challenges engineers face going into management — and how to decide if it's for you Our Partners: Audible Namecheap Resources Mentioned: Certified Energy Manager (CEM) CertificationAssociation of Energy Engineers LEED Certificatione Quest Energy Software Fannie Mae Green Financing Program Freddie Mac Green Advantage Loan Program SBA 504 Green Loans Connect With Sol: LinkedIn The Engineering Mentor CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

17 Kesä 202328min

Want to go into Transportation Engineering? 🤔 Then this episode is a must! Our guest today is Paul Slone, a senior engineer with 31 years in the industry. He dives into the ins and outs of the field you need to consider, gives career advice you need to live by to set you up for success, and even details how much you can expect to make as a Transportation Engineer! 😉 Tune in to Learn: How much money can you expect to make in the transportation industry? A long-lasting problem faced by constantly Transportation Engineers The biggest challenge of the Transportation industry today — and why it benefits you! The best two types of transportation projects to work on, in Paul’s opinion The standard transportation software tools you need to master One aspect causing the promise of the Infrastructure Bill to fall short 3 things young professionals should to do that Paul wish he had done How to correctly mentor younger professionals at work Why engineers don't (naturally) make good managers — and how to learn the ropes The single reason many engineers avoid management and leadership roles What's the Slone Transportation Institute? Our Partner: Audible Resources Mentioned: Federal Highway Administration The Highway Capacity Software The Highway Capacity Manual Synchro Plus SimTraffic Software PTV Visum CEA Ep #137 with Sam Lyttle Beyondware SoftwareUniversity of Kentucky Kentucky Transportation Center Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Georgia Department of Transportation Connect With Paul: LinkedIn pslone@chacompanies.comCHA Consulting CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

10 Kesä 202329min

Passing the PE exam on the first try is no small feat. But passing it on the first try after being out of the industry for 10 years and as a single, full-time working mother of two kids, that’s a huge deal. And guess what? Today’s guest did just that! 😲 In this episode, Erin Friednman unpacks all the aspects and the lessons that went into and came out of this incredible journey. Tune in to Learn: The challenges she faced getting back into the civil engineering industry after 10 years The single most important tip for the FE Exam is to boost your chances of passing How she passed her PE exam on her first try as a single, working mother of two kids How much study time should you put into PE exam prep? The  resources she used to prepare for and crush the Transportation depth exam A simple exam-taking strategy most PE takers neglect on exam day — but shouldn’t! 3 ways you can make a comeback into the industry — even if lacking the technical skills The most underrated benefit of taking the PE exam to your career, even if you don't pass A key element of your exam prep that's key to passing Our Partner: Namecheap Resources Mentioned: CEA Practice exams AASHTO’s “Green Book” Highway Capacity Manual Connect With Ziad: LinkedIn CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

2 Kesä 202323min

Today’s guest is Ziad Mazboudi, a civil engineer with nearly 40 years of hands-on work experience in various projects, both in the private and public sectors, who also help with disaster and emergency responses. Building on his own successes and failures, he answers your most pressing career questions — and gives you the secrets to succeed at it. 😉 Tune in to Learn: The importance of hands-on work experience on the job site for civil engineers Why civil engineers do NOT just do what they specialize in How to deal with emergencies and unexpected events in a project or at work The single key trait that separates the best and the worst engineering managers What it's like to be a civil engineer working in the public sector Government vs private sector: which one is the best option for your own career? What's the ASCE Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee? 3 tips to stay on top of your game in your professional career over the years Why the PE license is a must-have for your civil engineering career What is the best time to take your professional FE and PE exams? Our Partners: Audible Built Bar (Use Code CIVAC at Checkout) Resources Mentioned: Master of Planning and Development Studies (MPDS) US Green Building Council ASCE’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) California’s Safety Assessment Program American Public Works Association (APWA)American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)Cal Poly PomonaCaterpillar American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Connect With Ziad: LinkedIn TransTech EngineersCEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

26 Touko 202335min

Can you pass the PE Exam after receiving the news you failed…without taking it again? 🤔 That’s exactly what happened to today’s guest, Amanda McFarland! In this episode, she talks about her PE exam prep, detailing all the aspects that made her succeed and how on earth this happened to her. She also dives into her fascinating story of drastically switching career paths as a mother and the concerns she had to overcome to do it. It’s all in here! 😉 Tune in to Learn: How Amanda passed the PE exam after receiving a "fail” without taking it again. The only 3 things you need to balance work, family, and studying for the PE Exam Why a review course is worth it and how it makes your exam prep a lot easier. A key non-study aspect of your exam prep you're neglecting — and how to solve it The best resources she used to crush the Water Resources Depth that you can steal! Why you should practice under exam-like conditions (plus an easy-access tool to do it) Is it true that civil engineering is a career path that doesn't allow for schedule flexibility? The challenges of drastically switching career paths as a mom — and how to do it Our Partners: Audible Namecheap Resources Mentioned: NCEES PE Handbook CEA’ PE Review Course CEA’s PE CBT Exam Simulator Brigham Young University Connect With Amanda: LinkedIn amanda.cc.mcfarland@gmail.com CEA Resources: Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses FE and PE Practice Exams Free Facebook Community YouTube Channel Free Newsletter Instagram Twitter isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

20 Touko 202325min