A lot of civil engineers dream of having their own firm one day and all the good things they think come with it…until they do and they’re working crazy hours to barely even make ends meet. 😟
Why? “Profititis.”
In this episode, we sit down with Ben Hansen — aka The Profit Doctor. He went from Microsoft to building an eight-figure consulting business, and now works with firms doing $5–50M to help them keep more of what they earn and essentially kill “Profititis” once and for all.
This isn’t one of those fluffy “raise your prices” conversations. It’s a real look at where profit actually leaks out of businesses, how (the wrong) people quietly drain margins, and why profit isn’t just the owner’s job.
If you’re planning to start your own firm or practice, this episode gives you a massive head start. You'll have the antidote to one of the biggest business-killers before you ever hang your own shingle.
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
2 Biggest Aspects of Civil Engineering That Hurts Its Profit Potential
Is the "Drive to the Bottom Bid" Exclusive to Civil Engineering?
What is "Profititis"?
The Minimum Financial Literacy You Need to Have to Start Your Own Firm
The Biggest Rule of Thumb to Grow Profitability Instantly
What Really Generates Almost All the Problems in a Business
Are Employee-Owned Companies More Profitable?
Should Employees Worry About Profit Too?
The Profit Margins in Engineering Services (+ What You Should Aim at to Win)
How Profitability Knowledge Applies to Your Engineering Work as an Employee
The "People" Problem Inside Companies That Affects Profits
How to Find the 10 Places Where Your Business is Likely Leaking Profitability
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
The 80/20 Principle, by Richard Koch
State of the Global Workplace Study, by Gallup
💬 CONNECT WITH BEN:
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📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Licensure exams are hard, but here’s what you didn’t know — the technical content isn't the biggest challenge civil engineers say they face when they go up against them! 😧
Here’s what it is…👇
According to 64% of them, the real challenge they face to pass the FE, PE, or CFM exam is finding the time to actually sit down and study.
After all, among work responsibilities, family obligations, household chores, and personal interests, how can you possibly find any time to study in your busy days?! 😅
All of us here at CEA have been in that exact same situation, but we found out about a surprisingly simple time management technique that helped us make time for our exam prep. Every. Single. Day.
In this episode, we dive into what this technique is all about, the psychological reasons why it works like a charm no matter how busy your life is, and how you can apply it right away in 4 simple steps.
Apply this technique and you’ll find the time to study that you didn’t think you had so you can get this over with once and for all. (Thank us later. 😉)
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
What this Time Management Technique is All About
3 Reasons Why It Works Like a Charm to For You to Study
The 4-Step Process to Apply It and Find Time to Study (Still Today!)
The Biggest Thing You Need to Remember for This Technique to Work
2 Fatal Mistakes to Avoid When Using This Technique
The Brutal Truth About Finding Time for Your Exam Prep (Hint: You Won't Like It)
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
You studied after work every day. You sacrificed your weekends to stay home studying. You even took vacation time to study even more. You literally walked into the exam knowing you gave it your all…but guess? 🤔
It wasn’t enough to pass — and that’s not the first time it happened. 😞
If you’re in that repeat taker position, this one is for you. Whether you failed only once or multiple times.
In this episode, Mark and I sit down to talk about one aspect that makes professional exams way more like sports than most people realize: the mental part of “playing the game.”
Athletes lose games, miss shots, and get injured. But the ones who make it aren’t the ones who never fail. Instead, they’re the ones who learn how to make a comeback when they do fail.
That same concept applies to FE, PE, and any other big exam that’s ever knocked you down before — and this episode gives you the tools and strategies you need to pull this off.
Failing actually doesn’t mean you’re done. In a weird way, it might actually be the best news you could’ve gotten!
Now, tune in to this episode to learn how to make good use of this good news and get it to propel you to a passing score faster than you think.
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
The Similarity Between Sports and Your Professional Exams
A Real-Life Example of Mental Toughness That You Can Borrow for Your Exam
How Mental Toughness Plays a Role in Your Exam Prep
2 Different Voices You Can Choose to Listen to When You Hit Rock Bottom
2 Things You'll Feel After Failing Your Exam Multiple Times
How to (Correctly) Break Through When You Get Knocked by an Exam Failure
The First Thing You Should Do After an Exam Failure
A Tool for You to Get Back on Your Feet After Failing Your Exam
A Super Simple Strategy for You to Turn an Exam Setback into a Comeback
How Repeat Takers Who Chose CEA for the Next Try Ended Up Passing
What Mental Toughness in Your Exam Prep Comes Down to
What Failing Your Exam Really Means (+ Why That's the Best News You Could Get!)
The Biggest Differentiator Between Those Who Pass and Those Who Don’t
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CEA Podcast Ep 290 (Latest NCEES Exam Stats)
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Ever walked into an exam feeling completely ready…and then suddenly your heart is pounding, your mind goes blank, and even the easy stuff looks like it’s written in a foreign language? 🤔
If that sounds familiar, you’re gonna want to listen to this!
In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the other side of taking those professional exams — the part that’s not in specs but can tank your performance and make months of hard work and sacrifice go down the drain if you don’t get it right.
There’s a single skill no professor and no other exam prep course provider out there teaches…but every FE and PE test-taker needs!
We dive into what that other side of passing your exam is, that single skill you need to get it right, and the tools and frameworks you can use to actually (and easily) do it. 😉
If you blank out, rush through questions, or panic yourself into silly mistakes when taking your FE, PE, or CFM® exam, this episode shows exactly how to undo that pattern.
Give this episode a listen and walk into your next exam with a calmer mind, a clearer plan, and way more control than you’ve ever had before. 👍
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Don’t think you can become a PE years after school and without having followed the traditional path of getting a degree in civil? 🤔 Then this episode with Bill Bollman, PE will blow your mind!
Bill started out as a CAD Technician who worked his way up to Roadway Production Manager over 30 years without a civil engineering degree…and has now just become a licensed PE! (Yep, you read that right. 😯)
In this episode, he shares the legalities around waiving the FE exam and dives deep into the details of this fascinating journey to pull this off.
From how he weaved an insane amount of study hours into his days to be able to fill huge civil engineering knowledge gaps he had…all the way to how he strategically scheduled practice exams at very specific moments in his prep to help him with the time management issue.
If you didn’t follow the “traditional” engineering path, are deep into your career, and are wondering if becoming a PE is still on the table, Bill’s story shows that not only is it possible — you still have a lot to gain from it.
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
His Journey to Get the PE as a CAD Tech With No Civil Degree
How He Filled the Knowledge Gaps for the Exam That He Didn't Learn in School
How He Structured His Study Hours in His Days With Work and Family
Why He Put in So Much Study Time That Other People Would Call Him "Crazy"
What His Support System at Home Looked Like to Be Able to Pull This off
How He Processed His Failed First Attempt at the PE (And Got Back on His Feet)
A Big Part of Passing the PE That's Not Related to Studying at All
The Civil Engineering Academy Resources He Used and Why He Liked Them
How He Strategically Scheduled Practice Exams to Fix His Time Management Issue
The Real Ratio Between Calculation vs. Theory Questions on the PE
What Getting the PE License Means to His Career, Even Without a Civil Degree
His 2 Pieces of Advice for Those Taking the PE
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CEA Podcast Ep 195 (Wade Broussard)
CEA Podcast Ep 306 (Jimmy Daughtry)
CEA Podcast Ep 258 (Connor Aycock)
100 Bonus Transportation Theory Questions
The Ultimate Transportation PE Exam
CEA’s FREE Transportation Problems
CEA’s FREE Water Resources Problems
💬 CONNECT WITH BILL:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA
Most people say they want to pass the PE Exam, but saying ≠ doing. This episode with Hunter McCabe gives you a perspective on what it really takes to pass — and why it’s worth it. 👇
Hunter is a past CEA student who recently crushed the Construction PE Exam while juggling unpredictable work hours and a pretty tight deadline with a wedding on the way. No pressure, right? 😅
How did he do it? By following a study routine most people would call “crazy.”
In this episode, he breaks down his entire exam prep journey and habits that made him successful.
From choosing between Transportation and Construction to his own study technique that saved him on 3 questions on the real deal…all the way to his insane schedule with 8+ study hours on weekends — every week! 😮
If you’re gearing up for the PE and looking for a real-world example of what it takes to pass the PE and how to do it, Hunter's story delivers it. 👍
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
The Challenge You Face Before You Even Start Your PE Prep
How to Settle the Debate on Which Civil PE Exam to Take Once and for All
His Advice for Anyone Taking the PE Exam That You Need to Take to Heart
How He and His Wife Structured Both Their Exam Preps Together
How He Organized His Study Hours into His Days
How He First Found Civil Engineering Academy (+ Why He Loved It!)
The Most Common Exam Prep Mistake Civil Engineers Make...and That's Why They Fail
What He Liked About Our Video-Based Practice Problems
His Struggle With the Codes for the Construction Exam (And How He Overcame It)
The SINGLE Code Most of the Questions Referred to in His Exam
How Many AIT Questions He Got (+ Which Ones They Were)
Do Multiple-Choice Questions Prep You Well for AIT Questions?
Are the PE Exam Questions Difficult or "Tricky," Really?
How Theory Questions Caught Him Off Guard on Exam Day
How He Broke His Time Between the Morning and Afternoon Sessions
How He Weaved Practice Exams into His Study Plan (And When He Took Each)
His Experience with CEA's CBT Exam Simulator to Mimic the Real Deal
What He Enjoyed About CEA's PE Course That Fit into His Schedule Perfectly
The "Proprietary" Technique He Used to Keep Him in the Habit of Studying
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
PPI's PE Civil Practice Problems Book
💬 CONNECT WITH HUNTER:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Have you found yourself working in engineering without an engineering degree…and getting passed over for jobs to someone who “is” just because of the diploma? 🤔 If yes, this interview with Scott Williams is for you. 👇
Scott is a past CEA Student with an Environmental background who came back from two failed attempts and losing a role he was perfect for because he didn’t have the degree…all the way to finally getting the FE done.
In this episode, he dives into this very journey and spills the beans on everything he learned the hard way that you can steal and make this happen for you as well — but without the hassle. 😅
Many people without a civil engineering background wonder if they can pass the Civil FE Exam. If they’re repeat takers, they wonder if they can make it. If they’re facing trouble in their career, they wonder if the FE will help.
Scott was in all three categories above. All at once. If you’re in at least any one of them, his journey and tips will answer it all for you. 👍
So, go give this episode a listen — especially if you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want to hear from someone who fought through the exact same stuff. ✅ 👷
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
Going for the FE to Save His Career (Even With a Lot of Certifications Already)
What's More Valuable: Professional Certifications or a Master's Degree?
His First Failed Attempt at the FE (+ a Big Lesson That You Need to Live by!)
How He Picked Himself up for the Second Try
What Made Him Choose Civil Engineering Academy's FE Course
How He Found Civil Engineering Academy in the Online World
His Top Tip for Prepping for a CBT Exam (And How CEA Can Help!)
20:12 What Caught Him Off Guard on the Exam
One Thing You Must Have When Prepping for Your Exam
His 4 Tips for Anyone Gearing Up for the FE Exam to Get It Done
How He's Structuring His PE Exam Prep from What He Learned in His FE Journey
Why He Recommends Civil Engineering Academy for any FE Test-Taker
What You need to Keep Top of Mind When Prepping for Your Exam
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Certified Air Permitting Professional (CAPP)
Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner (QISP)
University of California, Merced
💬 CONNECT WITH SCOTT:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
If you thought the PE was tough, wait until you hear everything Brandon Dashwood has to say about the SE exam after taking it himself. (Hint: it’s not good news. 😬)
Brandon is a Structural Engineer at PARADIGM Structural Engineers who’s deep in the grind of passing the most brutal exam in the civil engineering world — the SE Exam. The catch?
The exam has now gone from pencil-and-paper to computer-based (CBT), and the whole exam experience is now, let’s just say…a big mess! 😅
From becoming closed-book to a clunky interface to a new way to do what used to be the written portion, Brandon gives a first-hand look at what the new CBT SE Exam is really like — the good, the bad, and the downright frustrating.
If you’re a structural engineer planning to go that route and take the SE, this conversation gives you a candid look behind the curtain of the new format and all the aspects of it that you need to know for when your time comes.
Tune in to learn what the new SE exam is really like — and all the bugs that the NCEES will need to be looking into.
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
University of California, Davis
💬 CONNECT WITH BRANDON:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
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📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Picture this — you spend months working on the design and construction of a project, and next thing you know, another engineer is on the news poking holes in it for everybody to see. How'd you feel? 🤔
In this episode, we dive into a situation like this that happened in real life in a state highway project. What started as a difference in technical opinion only became a full-blown ethics investigation…that even resulted in formal disciplinary action! 😮
This story is a perfect reminder that being a civil engineer isn’t just about being good at the technical craft only. Instead, it’s also about ethical conduct — professionalism, integrity, and knowing when (and how) to speak up.
The problem? Most engineers don’t take the ASCE Code of Ethics seriously. They feel like it’s one of those things that “only matter in theory.”
Well, it may be…until it doesn’t. And this real-life situation makes it pretty clear.
If you’ve ever questioned the importance of ethics in real-world practice — not just on the FE or PE exams — this one’s a must-listen. All of us deal with it. Project after project.
So, tune in to learn from this real case and make sure you never end up on the wrong side of the ethics line.
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
The Story Behind This Real-Life Ethical Misconduct in a Nutshell (And How It Ended)
Why This Misconduct Violated 2 Canons of the ASCE Code of Ethics
Is It a Problem to Have Other Engineers Review Your Work?
What Not to Do When Reviewing Another Engineer's Work
Why It's 100x Easier Today to Make the Same Ethical Mistake
The Canon of the ASCE Code of Ethics That You Need to Live By
What's a Letter of Censure?
The Biggest Take Away of This Real-Life Case
The One Time Mark Got "Called Out" for His Design (And What He Did)
How to Review the Work of Other Engineers Correctly
What Should You Do When Less Experienced Engineers Call You Out?
3 Guardrails to Handle Professional Disagreements Ethically
2 Tricks to Deal With Criticism of Your Work Without Hurting Your Reputation
The Ethics Topic on Your Professional Exams
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Ever imagined passing the FE on the first try 7 years after school, doing the same with the PE just 2 years later…and all of this without having started out in engineering in the first place?!
That’s exactly what today’s guest did! 😮
Sierra Patrick was on a pre-med track before realizing engineering suited her better. Two years ago, she joined our Civil FE Review Course to finally tackle the FE exam after putting it off since college.
Fast forward to today, she’s officially a licensed PE after knocking out the PE Exam this year with our Civil PE Review Course as well. (Yep, another double-win with CEA! ✅ 👷)
From that bold career pivot to prepping for her exams, Sierra’s journey is packed with hard-earned lessons you’ll want to steal for your own exam prep.
Whether you’re gearing up for the FE or the PE, this episode has lots of study and exam-day tips from someone who’s walked the walk…and made it to the end. Just listen. 😉
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
Her Transition Into Civil Engineering from a Pre-Med Track (And Why)
Her Experience Skipping the Civil FE Exam While in School
Which One Is Harder: The FE or the PE?
Which Civil PE Exam Discipline She Chose And Why
How She Found Civil Engineering Academy (And Stuck With It)
What She Enjoyed the Most About The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course
Her Advice on Taking Practice Exams That You Should Take to Heart
What Caught Her Off Guard on the Exam (And We Talk About It All the Time!)
2 Tips to Prep for Theory Problems the Right Way in Her Opinion
How She Went About Identifying and Improving on the Topics She Wasn't Good at
How the AIT Questions Can Trip You Up Without You Even Noticing
Her Experience Waiting to Take the PE After the FE (And Why You Shouldn't!)
The Number One Piece of Advice That Can Make of Break Your PE Exam Prep
How Her Work Supported Her Throughout Her PE Journey
Her Advice for Women in Engineering
Why She Recommends Civil Engineering Academy's PE Course
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
FREE PE Water Resources Problems
💬 CONNECT WITH SEIRRA:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Here’s a fact in the professional civil engineering exams world — most test-takers don’t fail because they're not smart enough. They fail because they study for their exams the wrong way!
Over our 10+ years helping 1,000+ civil engineers crush their FE and PE exams (some after multiple failed attempts!), we’ve spotted 4 BIG exam prep mistakes most of them make…and it kills their chances of passing.
After seeing those mistakes beat up a lot of civil engineers, we set out to change that.
We analyzed them deeply, created a 4-step study strategy that prevents each one, and built it into our courses to help civil engineers finally cross the finish line.
We call it The CEA PASS™ Method, and in this episode, we’ll be breaking it down for you to use it, too! 😉
If you’ve been grinding for weeks and still feel stuck in your FE or PE prep, not seeing progress, or unsure how to study…use this.
That’s how you PASS™! ✅ 👷
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
What’s The CEA PASS™ Method?
The 4 Steps of the Method — Preview, Apply, Solidify, Simulate
How to Go About Studying Your Exam Prep Material the Right Way
How to Make Sure You Dedicate Study Sessions to Solving Problems
How to Schedule Review Sessions in Your Study Plan (And When)
When to Take Practice Exams in Your Prep (And What to Do After Each)
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Practice Testing Study Technique
Time Management Strategy to Find Time to Study
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH US!
What does it take to become a successful woman civil engineer? 🤔 For multi-award winning Structural Engineer Najwa Jawahar, it all comes down to the “civil engineer” part only.
Najwa is a Chartered Structural Engineer in the UK with nearly 13 years of experience. She’s worked on multiple types of projects and become one of the top voices and role models in Structural Engineering for women who want to go down the route.
The result of these contributions?
She’s been named one of the top 50 rising stars in Science and Engineering and received the Best Young Woman Engineer award at the European Women in Construction and Engineering organization. 😲
Now, in this episode, she dives into the details of this success journey in this field packed with men, her tips for other women to succeed as well, and the biggest enemy they’ll need to beat if they want to do so. (Hint: it’s not men. 😉)
So, if you’re a woman in civil engineering intimidated by being the only one in the room, tune in to hear Najwa’s story and the hard-learned career lessons she passes on.
Her story is proof that you don’t have to blend in to build an extraordinary career. In fact, it’s just the opposite — you have to stand out. (You’ll understand that once you listen. 😂)
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
💬 CONNECT WITH NAJWA:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Ever looked around at your career and thought, “How the heck did I end up here?” Yeah — and you’re not alone. But that’s because your career was happening to you…instead of you making it happen.
In this episode, we chat with Bryce Batts, a recruiter specialized in the AEC industry who’s helped over 800 professionals land jobs that actually fit their life and align with their values.
After years of coaching and recruiting engineers, she put all her best career tips and advice into The Career Architect — a book that cracks the code of how to build a career you're proud of from the get-to…or get unstuck if you feel miserable where you’re at.
The simple secret? 🤔
According to her, a fulfilling career doesn’t fall into your lap — it’s something you build!
If you’re stuck in a rut, thinking about making a switch, or just tired of “going with the flow,” then this is for you. Why?
It will help you rethink how you approach and achieve professional success — and she gives you the best tips straight out of her book on how to do this as well. 😉
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
3 Key Principles to Building a Career You're Proud of
What Should You Do If You've Chosen the Wrong Career Path?
4 Big Factors That Companies Need to Consider Offering to Their Engineers
Is Job-Hopping the Only Way to Get a Raise?
The 2 Worst Aspects of a Company That Cause Engineers to Switch Jobs
4 Simple Benefits That Make Engineers Fight Over a Job...and Stay Forever!
How the PE License Impacts Your Career Opportunities on the Eyes of a Recruiter
The Story Behind Her Book and What Made Her Want to Write It
Her Biggest Rule That Serves Both Your Career And Life
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
The Career Architect Book, by Bryce Batts
Wine After Work Podcast (Spotify)
Wine After Work Podcast (Apple Podcasts)
North Carolina State University
💬 CONNECT WITH BRYCE:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
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📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
If you’re in your 30s or more and think it’s “too late” to become PE, I’d like you to meet Jimmy Draughty. He passed the most brutal PE exam on the first try…and he did it at 58 years old! 😮
Since graduating, Jimmy’s worked on massive projects around the world, collected as many licenses as you can think of, and even worked for himself for about 10 years. At 58, that’d be enough, right?
Wrong!
Even with all this experience that blows all the newly licensed PEs (combined!) out of the water, he noticed the PE license still mattered big time for his career.
In this episode, he dives into his journey passing the Construction PE Exam at this later stage in life. Why the PE still matters even if you’re way past your 20s, how he (re)learned topics he hadn’t used in years…all the way to the tools and resources he used to pull this off.
If you’ve ever told yourself “it’s too late for me,” Jimmy’s story proves it’s a lie. Your age or how long you’ve been out of school doesn’t matter. What matters is the weight of having the PE license in the civil engineering world…at any stage of life.
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
Why He Wanted the PE License Even at 58 Years Old!
The 2 Biggest Challenges He Faced Prepping for the PE Later in Life
How Organized (and Tracked) His Exam Prep Like a Real Project Manager
What Helped Him Get a Handle of the Topics He Hasn't Used in Decades
Should You Prioritize Experience or Pass Rates When Choosing a PE Exam?
What Caught Him Off Guard on the Construction PE That Almost Led to a Fail
How to Handle All the Codes & Standards Required for the Construction PE Exam
His Approach to Taking Practice Exams (And Doing It is a Must!)
The Reason He Wouldn't Have Passed Without a Course (And It Applies to You, Too)
His Advice at 58 Years Old to Those Who Think It's Too Late to Become a PE
How He Found Civil Engineering Academy (And Why He Chose It)
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Certified Cost Professional (CCP)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
💬 CONNECT WITH JIMMY:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
We’ve interviewed engineers in many different fields that don’t even come to mind for those in civil engineering, and here’s a brand-new one you’ve never heard of — spill prevention plan!
Our guest today is Travis Keener, aka the Spill Plan Man. He’s a licensed PE in 42 states who’s built his entire career around what’s called Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans.
Today, he runs his own business doing it to keep oil-handling facilities compliant with the EPA, and has personally stamped more than 600 of them. Now, the best part?
This is something he contracts out a lot of civil engineers to help, and that licensed civil engineers can do as well!
So, this episode is a peek into one of those “hidden corners” of engineering most of us are not told about in school.
Tune in to learn how he ended up in this world, what the work entails on a daily basis…plus why it could be a rewarding career path for a civil engineer just like you.
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
What He Does as the "Spill Plan Man"
What SPCC Plans are And Why They Require Licensed PEs
How SPCC Plans Grew to Become His Career Path
Is Spill Control a Possible Career Path for Civil Engineers?
How He Manages PDHs Being Licensed in 42 States
The Biggest Misconception About the EPA's Oil Spill Rule
Why the Rule of 110% for Rain is Misleading
Do You Really Need to Change Your Spill Plan Every 5 Years?
How He Runs His Spill Plan Business (And Hires Civil Engineers to Help!)
His Tip for the PE Exam That Still Works Today
His Advice for Young Engineers to Find Their Path After School
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
💬 CONNECT WITH TRAVIS:
Phone Number: 918 766-9359
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
If you’re in the floodplain management arena and want to build a successful career in it, then this episode with Scott Pelath, CFM, is a must-listen! Here’s why. 👇
Scott started his career dealing with public affairs related to Water Resources. Then, he transitioned into one of the highest positions in floodplain management in his area — the Executive Director of the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission.
In this episode, he shares his journey to create a successful floodplain management career…plus his experience getting the certification that matters most in this field — the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM®)!
Scott’s story proves that the CFM isn’t just another set of letters after your name. Instead, it’s a tool that can move you up to executive-level jobs.
So, whether you’re preparing for the CFM® exam yourself or just curious about where this certification can take you, this episode is packed with insights from a CFM himself who’s been in your shoes..
Hit play and let Scott’s journey inspire your own path to becoming a CFM, too! 😉
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
His Career Journey from Legislation to Floodplain Management
Why He Felt the Need to Get the CFM® Certification
What He Loves the Most About His Job in Floodplain Management
Why the CFM® Certification Matters Big Time (Especially Nowadays)
Why He Chose CEA's CFM® Review Course to Help Him Prep
What Future CFM Examinees Need to Be on the Lookout For
His Exact Study Routine for You to Copy (+ What He Would've Done Differently)
How Difficult is the CFM® Exam?
What He Enjoyed the Most About the CFM Review Course & Material
A Test-Taking Tip You Need to Remember on Your Exam Day
The Value of the CFM Beyond Just "Passing an Exam"
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CFM Course Launch Interview With Matt Fanghella (CEA #207)
Association of State Floodplain Managers
Quizlet Flashcards for the CFM
Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission
Indiana University Bloomington
💬 CONNECT WITH SCOTT:
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📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Outdated education with low pay, but worn out infrastructure and sustainability needs? 🤔
These are the two sides of civil engineering today — and nobody has lived and breathed the field as much as Dennis D. Truax to know the right way to look at it. 👇
Dennis is a civil engineer who has spent decades shaping the profession in leadership positions. From leading Mississippi State University’s civil department to serving as ASCE President in 2022!
In this episode, he shares the harsh truths and the hidden opportunities he sees today for civil engineers. And if that’s not enough, he also gives us a sneak peek into a new platform that challenges the old work model of one company, 40-hour workweeks.
(Yep. You read that right. 😨)
If you want to hear wisdom from someone who’s been in the trenches, led at the highest levels, and is still working to shape the future of civil engineering even after “retirement,” you’ll love this conversation. 😉
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
The High-Level Professional Roles He's Held Over His Career
Has Today's Civil Engineering Education Fallen Behind?
Broad But Difficult: The Positive and Negative Side of Civil Engineering
The Hesitation of Young People to Go into Civil
A Groundbreaking Concept in Water Resources and Environmental for the Future
The Biggest Challenge (And Opportunity) in Civil Engineering Today
The Role of ASCE in the Political Battles for Investments in Infrastructure
Is US Infrastructure Improving?
Why the Wastewater Field Scores a D (And What Can Be Done About It)
What Changed in the Past That Makes Today a Great Time to Be a Civil Engineer
A New Civil Engineering Work Model (And the Platform to Leverage It)
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
ASCE 2022 President Dennis Truax Video
The Infrastructure Report Card
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs (IJA) Act
💬 CONNECT WITH DENNIS:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
Most people kick the PE exam down the road when life gets busy, but Mudasir Gulzar?! He did the opposite! He pulled his exam date forward, leaving him with only one month left to study with…wait for it…a baby on the way! 😮
Crazy? Maybe. But it worked!
In this episode, he dives into his “rushed” journey to pass the tough, code-heavy Geotechnical PE Exam…while sharing the hard-earned lessons he learned on the way that can save you months of trial and error in your own prep (and get you to pass sooner!)
From two study tips he lived by to the game-changer for those taking the Geotech exam to how he used practice exams to maximize his learning…all the way to the one thing you should keep in mind when studying for the PE..
If you’re staring down the PE (especially the Geotech PE Exam), his story hits home. It’s not about having endless time — it’s about having the right approach and the right tools to get it done.
Tune in now to learn how he pulled this off — and how you can, too. 👍
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
How He First Found Out About the Existence of the FE and PE Exams
How He Prepped for and Passed the FE Exam on His Own
Why He Picked Geotechnical Engineering for His Career
A Game-Changing Piece of Advice If You Want to Pass the Geotech PE Exam
How He Prepped in 1 Month After Pulling His Exam Date Forward
2 Study Tips He Lived By to Pass
What He Would Do After Finishing Practice Exams That You Must Do as Well
3 Reasons Why He Chose (& Stuck With) CEA's PE Review Course
Hard-Earned Lessons for Those Taking the Geotech PE Exam
The ONE Thing You Should Keep in Mind When Prepping
The Single Feature of The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course He Enjoyed the Most
What He Thought of CEA's PE CBT Exam Simulator
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
NCEES Official Geotech PE Practice Exam
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
💬 CONNECT WITH MUDASIR:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FEvir Envirnmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
After passing the FE after 5 tries, Ryan Turley circled back to CEA for the PE exam…and knocked that one out too! 🥊 In this episode, Ryan shares his tips and experience to pull this off. 👇
If you’re taking the FE or have just got it done, he shares what happens in between the two exams. He organized himself to start studying for the PE. Why (and how) he chose the Water Resources PE over Transportation. And a lot more.
For those taking the PE, Ryan drops some gold nuggets on everything he learned by going through this twice himself. The biggest exam surprise that caught him off guard. The test-taking strategy he used. A simple hack to make studying feel way less like pulling teeth. And more.
Whether you’re stuck on the FE or staring at the PE as your next milestone, this one’s packed with tips you can swipe and use right away. 😉
Hit play and let Ryan show you how he went from five FE fails to a PE pass on the second try — and how you can, too! ✅ 👷
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
How He Organized His Study Schedule for the PE Exam
Is the PE Easier Than the FE?
Why He Picked the Water Resources Over the Transportation PE Exam
His Biggest Surprise on the Exam You Need to Be Aware of!
The 2 Water Resources Topics Examinees Fear (and How to Prep for Them)
How Deep Do You Need to Go on the Codes & Standards for the Water Exam?
How Our PE Water Resources Review Course Helped Him Study for the PE
The Biggest Thing About Passing the PE That We Bake into Our Course
How He Prepped for Theory Questions on the PE
What Score Should You Be Getting on Practice Exams to Be Ready for the Real Deal?
His Test-Taking Strategy to Finish Each Session 20 Minutes Early and Review It
His Simple Trick to Boost How Much You Retain of What You Study
The Real Commitment Needed to Pass the PE (And It's Easier Than You Think!)
The Secret to Make Studying for the PE a Habit You Actually Enjoy
Why He Recommends Civil Engineering Academy's PE Courses
What to Do If You've Been Failing the PE Multiple Times
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
First Interview With Ryan (CEA # 239)
The Ultimate Civil PE Water Resources Review Course
💬 CONNECT WITH RYAN:
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!
We know. Failing the PE Exam stings. 😬 Especially after hours of studying and no-fun weekends. When this happened, you wanted to jump ship and switch to another discipline, right? 🤔
That’s everybody’s knee-jerk reaction, but here’s the kicker — that move might actually set you back instead of moving you forward! 😨
In this episode, I dive into my hot take on one of the most common questions we get here at CEA from PE test-takers like you: Should I switch exams after failing?
My answer will not surprise you. Instead, it goes against everything you used to believe about this…but it comes straight from my own experience as a repeat taker who’s been exactly where you are right now.
If you’ve failed once, twice, or even a few times already and feel like running to another Civil PE Exam discipline, this one’s for you. 🎧
Give it a listen before you make a decision that could delay your license even longer!
🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:
My Hot Take on Switching PE Exams After a Fail (and Why)
4 Advantages You Earned Prepping for Your Failed Attempts
7 Advantages You Now Have for Having Taken the Exam Before
My Personal Story as a Repeater Taker at This Crossroads Myself
5 Downsides of Switching Exams You Don't Even Consider
3 Things to Fix That Works Better Than Switching Exams
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Tucker Stafford Interview (CEA #255)
Makenzie Allen Interview (CEA #192)
🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:
🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:
📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:
FE Environmental Practice Exam
PE Environmental Practice Exam
📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!