The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast

Licensed in 42 States: Travis Keener’s Path from Engineer to Spill Plan Man

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 PEsHow SPCC Plans Grew to Become His Career PathIs Spill Control a Possible Career Path for Civil Engineers?How He Manages PDHs Being Licensed in 42 StatesThe Biggest Misconception About the EPA's Oil Spill RuleWhy the Rule of 110% for Rain is MisleadingDo 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 TodayHis Advice for Young Engineers to Find Their Path After School🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Drone Pilot LicenseDJI DronesAshland Tank DisasterEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Oklahoma State University💬 CONNECT WITH TRAVIS:LinkedInSpill Plan Man WebsitePhone Number: 918 766-9359🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CourseCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Floodplain Management Leadership in Action: Scott Pelath’s CFM Exam Journey & Insights

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 ManagementWhy He Felt the Need to Get the CFM® CertificationWhat He Loves the Most About His Job in Floodplain ManagementWhy the CFM® Certification Matters Big Time (Especially Nowadays)Why He Chose CEA's CFM® Review Course to Help Him PrepWhat Future CFM Examinees Need to Be on the Lookout ForHis 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 & MaterialA Test-Taking Tip You Need to Remember on Your Exam DayThe Value of the CFM Beyond Just "Passing an Exam"🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:CFM® Review CourseCFM® Practice ExamCFM Course Launch Interview With Matt Fanghella (CEA #207)Association of State Floodplain ManagersFEMA 480 PublicationQuizlet Flashcards for the CFMKankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development CommissionIndiana University Bloomington💬 CONNECT WITH SCOTT:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CourseCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

2022 ASCE President Dennis Truax on the Past, Present, and Future of Civil Engineering

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 CareerHas Today's Civil Engineering Education Fallen Behind?Broad But Difficult: The Positive and Negative Side of Civil EngineeringThe Hesitation of Young People to Go into CivilA Groundbreaking Concept in Water Resources and Environmental for the FutureThe Biggest Challenge (And Opportunity) in Civil Engineering TodayThe Role of ASCE in the Political Battles for Investments in InfrastructureIs 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 EngineerA New Civil Engineering Work Model (And the Platform to Leverage It)🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:ASCE 2022 President Dennis Truax VideoEngineer Match GroupThe Infrastructure Report CardInfrastructure Investment and Jobs (IJA) ActUrban Sequoia ConceptMississippi State University💬 CONNECT WITH DENNIS:LinkedInBidcurement, Inc.🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

Mudasir Gulzar’s Journey to Pass the Geotech PE Exam 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 ExamsHow He Prepped for and Passed the FE Exam on His OwnWhy He Picked Geotechnical Engineering for His CareerA Game-Changing Piece of Advice If You Want to Pass the Geotech PE ExamHow He Prepped in 1 Month After Pulling His Exam Date Forward2 Study Tips He Lived By to PassWhat He Would Do After Finishing Practice Exams That You Must Do as Well3 Reasons Why He Chose (& Stuck With) CEA's PE Review CourseHard-Earned Lessons for Those Taking the Geotech PE ExamThe ONE Thing You Should Keep in Mind When PreppingThe Single Feature of The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course He Enjoyed the MostWhat He Thought of CEA's PE CBT Exam Simulator🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:CEA's Civil PE Review CourseCEA's PE CBT Exam SimulatorNCEES Official Geotech PE Practice ExamGFT CompanyNIT SrinagarUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville💬 CONNECT WITH MUDASIR:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CourseCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFEvir Envirnmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com

From FE to PE: How Ryan Turley Crushed Both Exams 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 ExamIs the PE Easier Than the FE?Why He Picked the Water Resources Over the Transportation PE ExamHis 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 PEThe Biggest Thing About Passing the PE That We Bake into Our CourseHow He Prepped for Theory Questions on the PEWhat 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 ItHis Simple Trick to Boost How Much You Retain of What You StudyThe 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 EnjoyWhy He Recommends Civil Engineering Academy's PE CoursesWhat 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 CoursePE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE CBT Exam Simulator💬 CONNECT WITH RYAN:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE CFM® Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesCFM® Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorCFM® Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube Channelsupport@civilengineeringacademy.com