The Future of Mass Timber Design with Ricky McLain
From zero to more than 2,000+ projects (and counting). That’s how much mass timber has grown in popularity over the years. 📈 So today, we interview Ricky McLain, a SE who specializes in timber and works at WoodWorks — an organization that provides assistance and continuing education on wood design and construction. If you use mass timber in your projects, this is your chance to pick the brains of one of the experts in the field! 🧠 Tune in to Learn: What mass timber really is (hint: not what you think) The hockey stick-like adoption of mass timber in the US 5 benefits of mass timber that make it irresistible Why mass timber is getting widespread popularity The biggest misconception about mass timber....debunked The downsides of mass timber you should take into account 3 tips for those interested in diving into mass timber What he does today at WoodWorks helping timber projects come to life Our Partner: Audible Resources Mentioned: CEA Episode #204 (Tallwood Shake Table Test) WoodWorks Council Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) IBC 2021NDS 2024The Ascent Building, in Milwaukee University of Maine Connect With Ricky: LinkedIn YouTube Channel Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager (CFM®) Review Course CA Seismic & Survey Courses (Waiting List) FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Connect With Us: Free CEA Community YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
26 Apr 202423min
Bridges Beyond Borders: A Journey with Engineers in Action with Brittany Margritz
Did you know you can use your civil engineering knowledge to make an impact in underserved communities…while traveling abroad? 🤔 Today I interviewed Brittany Margritz from Engineers in Action (EIA), who leads the program that builds pedestrian footbridges in these communities. In this episode, she dives into the work that EIA does, how it works, and how you can join them to go abroad to help build things too, from bridges to water facilities to sewers…you name it! 😉 Tune in to Learn: The work Engineers in Action (EIA) does to help underserved communities abroad From bridges to water: the different types of work you can do at EIA How engineering students, practicing professionals, and firms can join EIA The technical and cultural prep that volunteers need before traveling to EIA's projects How EIA gets approval from local officials...and where funding comes from Brittany's role at EIA and her four-year experience working in Eswatini, Africa How she managed to balance work and life living abroad Her best advice for young engineers to build a career (and life) they enjoy Our Partner: Built Bar Resources Mentioned: PE Course Update (Waiting List) CEA Episode #206 (Brenton Kreiger) CEA Episode #149 (Isaac’s Visit to Kenya) Engineers In Action EIA's Matchmaker Program Bridges to Prosperity CHOICE Humanitarian University of Notre Dame University of Iowa University of Colorado Boulder Connect With Brittany: LinkedIn Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course The Ultimate Civil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager (CFM®) Review Course CA Seismic & Survey Courses (Waiting List) FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam SimulatorP E Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Connect With Us: Free CEA Community YouTube Channel Instagram TwitterLinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
19 Apr 202430min
Depth Exam Dilemma: A PE Exam Journey of Change with Grant Junghans
If you’ve failed a few times, you may be considering changing your PE Civil Exam, right? 🤔 That’s what Grant Junghans did to get over this hump once and for all. He failed the Construction exam twice, changed to the Water Resources exam, and then passed it. In this episode, he dives into this journey of switching exams and teaches you all he learned the hard way if you’re thinking of doing the same. 😉 Tune in to Learn: Grant's journey to get his PE license after 3 attempts Why he changed his PE Civil Exam for his third (and last) try 2 things you must do before you go and change your PE Civil Exam His successful exam prep habits you should apply to your own prep How he stayed motivated as a repeat taker How to take practice exams right during your prep for them to actually help you What he enjoyed the most about The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course Theory questions in the Water Resources exam...and how to prep for them How many Alternative-Item Type questions can you expect on your exam? 🤝 Our Partners: Audible ☑️ Resources Mentioned: The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course 100 Bonus Theory Questions 📧 Connect With Grant: LinkedIngrantsjunghans@gmail.com 📚 Our Exam Prep Resources: CEA Main Website Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waitlist) FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator 📱 Connect With Us: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
12 Apr 202423min
The Quest for Structural Engineering Excellence with Colten Johnson
Are you just a few years into your career and thinking about going down the Structural Engineering route? 🤔 Then our latest interview is a must! Colten Johnson is a Structural Engineer who started and now leads his own structural firm. He also runs PE4Free, a platform built to help young engineers thrive in the professional world and pass their exams. Tune in to Learn: How he passed the FE exam under work pressure due to project requirements The challenges of being the Lead Engineer in structural projects The technical vs leadership sides of engineering: which one should you choose? What needs to change in the Structural Engineering industry today His strategy to overcome the downsides of the industry's status quo How Structural Engineers can leverage the power of augmented reality How ChatGPt will impact your preparation for your exams His experience starting a firm....and what you should know before you do it Tips for engineers to use LinkedIn right How to know if it's time to shake things up a bit in your career The best way to improve yourself professionally His platform to help young engineers thrive and pass their exams 🤝 Our Partners: Audible ☑️ Resources Mentioned: Flint Engineering Company CEA Episode #187 (Sol Rosenbaum) Sol Rosenbaum’s LinkedIn 📧 Connect With Colten: LinkedIn PE4Free on Spotify PE4Free on Apple Podcasts PE4Free on Google Podcasts 📚 Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waitlist) FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator 📱 Connect With Us:Free CEA CommunityFree NewsletterYouTube ChannelInstagramLinkedInisaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
5 Apr 202427min
A Journey from Ministry to Civil Engineering with Zach Parris
Passing the FE Civil Exam 18 years out of school, well into your late 30s, and coming from a non-technical career as a Lutheran Minister? 😱 That’s exactly what Zach Parris just recently did! 👷 In this episode, he dives into this quiet original journey into the field, his FE experience, as well as tips he learned the hard way for anyone taking the FE “later” in life. Tune in to Learn: His surprising journey from engineering graduate to pastor to roadway engineer What he regrets doing in college regarding the FE Exam What it was like taking the FE Exam 18 years out of school What preparing for the FE exam is really about — and it's not knowledge How much prep time do you need for the FE if you've been out of school for a while? His advice for other experienced engineers to pass the FE exam "later" in their career What he enjoyed the most about The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course How his Lutheran Minister skills translates into his engineering work Pros and cons of switching into civil engineering from non-technical work 🤝 Our Partners: AudibleBuilt Bar ☑️ Resources Mentioned: Our FE Review Course Our PE Course Update Waitlist The FE CBT Exam Simulator Clemson UniversityUniversity of Colorado, Boulder 📚 Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review CoursesFloodplain Manager Review CourseCA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List)FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator 📱 Connect With Us: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
2 Apr 202425min
A Structural Engineer's Guide with Vince Marvin, PE, SE
Our latest episode with Vince Marvin, PE, SE is a gold mine for everyone interested in a career in Structural Engineering! He answers questions every Structural Engineer has, based on his own journey. How do you learn the ropes out of college? Do you need a master’s degree? Is the PE needed? Should you go for the SE, even with the low pass rates? 🤔 It’s all here! 👷 Tune in to Learn: Grad school vs work experience: which one matters most for Structural Engineers? Do Structural Engineers really need the PE license? The importance of the SE for Structural Engineers Can you take the SE without taking the PE first? What's it like to take the SE Exam...and when should you take it? Why the SE is getting more and more difficult to pass every year The simple (but not easy) way to overcome the SE Exam's low pass rates Tips for recent graduates going into the professional Structural Engineering world How he went from design to leadership roles...and how you can too The biggest challenge and the most rewarding part of being an engineering leader What to do if you want to become a Structural Engineering manager 🤝 Our Partner: Audible ☑️ Resources Mentioned: Our Video on the PE Changes SE Exam ASCE SEI Lake Superior Consulting Case Western Reserve University 📧 Connect With Vince: LinkedIn vincent.w.marvin@gmail.com 📚 Our Exam Prep Resources: Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course
24 Mars 202430min
CEA - Thriving in NY as a Civil Engineer with Mafuzul Mashud
Are you a civil engineer planning to go into project management…in New York? 🤔 Then this interview with Mafuzul Mashud, PE, is for you! He started out as a Transportation Engineer in Long Island, got his PE license out of the way, and worked his way up to Project Manager, overseeing big projects from New York’s MTA. 🗽 👷 Tune in to Learn: The 3 biggest challenges of working in New York as a Civil Engineer His all-time favorite project that would probably be your least favorite How's it to switch from fieldwork to behind-the-desk design work? How bad COVID-19 hit New York's traditional work scenario His best advice to pass the PE Civil Exam... that you keep neglecting Do you get an immediate raise or promotion after passing the PE? His path from Transportation Design Engineer to Engineering Project Management How being part of professional organizations helped him get the job he wanted What salary levels can you expect as a civil engineer in NY? The best skill you should master to go into project management Our Partner: Built Bar Resources Mentioned: Our Video on the PE Changes TYLin Group NYU University Metropolitan Transportation Authority Construction and Development (MTA C&D) New York City Housing Authority ASCE NY Metropolitan Section ASCE Met Section Forensic Engineering Group ASCE Met Section Infrastructure Group Connect With Mafuzul: LinkedIn Our Exam Prep Resources: Main WebsiteCivil FE Review Course Civil PE Review CourseCivil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course CFM® Practice Exam CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List) FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator Connect With Us: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
15 Mars 202428min
CEA | The Tech Revolution in Structural Engineering with Nick Heim
Can we train computers to “be” Structural Engineers? 🤔 In this episode, I chat with Nick Heim, a Structural Engineer working with parking structures, about the AI tools that can change the field forever. From machine learning teaching computers how to do the engineer’s calcs…all the way to using computer vision to “look for” potential structural issues in images and videos. 😲 Tune in to Learn: What's computer vision and how does it impact the Structural Engineer's work? Will AI put Structural Engineers out of business? Are SEs recognized as much as they should? Why flying drones is the first "tech tool" you need to master...immediately! Why he went for the maintenance and restoration niche of Structural Engineering 4 ways he uses to find parking structure restoration work 2 things young engineers should focus on (+ how to do the second right in today's world) What being part of professional organizations teaches you that school doesn't What is it like to be the president of an ASCE local chapter? The advice those getting started in their career should NOT take Our Partner: Built Bar Resources Mentioned: CEA Episode #216 (Drones in Civil Engineering) AECTECH Podcast, host by Nick Heim Nick Heim’s Articles on EM New Jersey Institute of Technology StructureCare Connect With Nick: LinkedIn Our Exam Prep Resources: Main Website Civil FE Review Course Civil PE Review Course Civil PE Depth Review Courses Floodplain Manager Review Course CA Seismic and Survey Courses (Waiting List) FE Practice Exams FE CBT Exam Simulator PE Breadth Practice Exams PE Depth Practice Exams PE CBT Exam Simulator CFM® Practice ExamConnect With Us: Free CEA Community Free Newsletter YouTube Channel Instagram LinkedIn isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
8 Mars 202425min
