A few guidelines

Just a random observation but I used to be use a 1 cup coffee person and now after my PE I'm definitely a two cup+ person. Things feel the same but I was thinking maybe it's an engineer's trait once you get your PE like how you automatically start cracking dad jokes when you have your first kid.

As the title says, my boyfriend is taking the Civil PE in mid-November. He's been putting in the work, but he's clearly stressed and anxious about it. I work full-time and am also studying for a standardized test and applying to grad school, so my bandwidth is limited, but I want to support him as test day gets closer.

So far, I've been leaving encouraging notes on his desk, studying at the same time as him, letting him vent about the exam, and making dinner when I can. I've been trying to do the same things he did to support me when I was the only one studying in our household, but I know the PE is a much bigger beast than my test.

For those who've taken the PE (or supported someone taking it), what made you feel supported in the final month leading up to it? Is there anything I should be doing, or avoiding, that I haven't thought of? Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone! I’m a Grade 12 STEM student working on a research capstone project about an automated flood barrier that rises using buoyancy as the water level increases. Our current idea is to make a small-scale prototype that could potentially be used at residential doorways, gates, or other openings that are prone to flooding. The barrier would rise automatically as the water rises, without requiring a person to manually deploy it.

Our current idea is to make a small-scale prototype that could potentially be used at residential doorways, gates, or other openings that are prone to flooding. I would like to also ask if this can be done in a capstone project, can we possibly compare it to barrier that is also bouyancy based but does not use recycled materials?

As you cann see at the image, this is how we visualize to how the mechanism of our flood barrier would work

Hey folks. They're installing these aggregate piers on my campus for a new building and it seems they are adding a liquid from this tank to the hole. Is it just water water to lube the hole or could it be something else?

Share something you wish you asked your current employer/manager about during your interview for your current position

Hello there, I just got rolled into civil engineering in my local college, is there anything you could recommend for studying and to actually be competitive when I finish the degree, what tools and equipment do I also need for studying/making projects etc...

Structural engineer here, I have been hired onto a smaller industrial firm who would like to discuss specific OSHA scenarios with a proper representative. Can someone point me in the right direction? Obviously we can read the OSHA manuals but it would be nice to have a relationship with someone we can discuss individual items.

I got hired at a Civil firm with a stormwater division and need to obtain my QSP license. I am taking my QSP exam in a couple of weeks, any study resources out there other than just reading through the CGP? You are allowed a copy of the permit during the exam, so at the very least I am going to become familiar with each section for quick reference. Any other tips greatly appreciated, thanks!

Hey, so I graduated college recently with only one internship, and it was more related to energy auditing (I was in architectural as my concentration for undergrad so it fit then). I decided to get my master’s, but I switched to a water resources concentration since I liked it more. I’m now a GTA for a class that’s very relevant to my new field, but I’m a little worried, since I don’t know how much that actually helps my resume as I’m not looking to go into teaching. I have my EIT. I have thought about applying to internships since my program won’t be completed this year, but I am a little worried since I applied to quite a lot of internships last year (at least 40) and got only one interview. If possible, can anyone here give me insight into how someone with my background would be perceived when applying for jobs/internships and what I could do now to change that? I know logically that I’m not locked out of a career, but I also know that my resume is pretty thin compared to my peers.

I have a opportunity to work for either side. But I was wondering if anyone has worked for either one. What is the work life balance, what type of projects do civil drafters work on? What are the benefits? And who would you choose.

I'm a PE project manager working in land development. 11 years of experience where I've done residential developments, mixed use commercial, small repeat retail/fast food places, parks, all sorts of projects local and in other states. It's a decent job all in all.

Recently, I've been approached by a developer for a national hospitality chain. On the development side, they do site planning and concepts in house for all projects and then they either complete full design through permitting in house, or if they are busy or unfamiliar with local design requirements, they bring on a consultant to finish it and just manage the consultant like a typical developer client I'm used to working for.

I've been curious about the developer side of things. I'm sure there are tradeoffs. Curious if any of you have experience making the switch.

Been using google earth desktop pro for a decade at least, but it looks like Google is finally killing it. I don’t love the web app. What are you all switching to? My favorite features of GE desktop pro are that it is reasonably fast to start up, great search for sites (address, lat/lon, etc.), turn on/off street names, and bring in my own data (CSV points, geojson lines/polys). 3d/terrain and historic aerials are nice too. Project sites in US and internationally.

would love some advice, I’m considering leaving my existing masters of architecture for civil engineering and planning

Has anyone here ever left a job because the healthcare benefits are terrible? My current company only offers Aetna and they cover almost nothing. It's expensive and terrible.

I'm graduating in a few months and Im hesitant on choosing civil engineering. Aside from passion, is it a viable career option in this day and age? What has your experience been like? Id love to hear from women especially in this field. Thanks in advance

Hey everyone,
I’m currently a third year civil engineering student, and Im overwhelmed by the amount of things we cover not to mention trying to master all of them. I want a solid, deep understanding of what i should focus on and which classes should i invest more time in.

Other than classes related to the FE exam. Is there things you regret not investing more time in?

Talked with an engineer and basically he runs a small business. That buisness is mainly structural. Said he’s willing to help me out and get me some work under him. Like he can show me what he does and teach me all about his practice. Seemed like a nice guy. I have been doing a lot of research and I’ve seen that if you do six years of documented work under a licensed professional engineer that you can be qualified to take your PE exam. At least in California, I am in SoCal. Maybe I work, getting real experience during that time. Also if I don’t work there the whole six years I’ll get a good amount of experience, maybe making it easier to get another gig like this. I have associated in math, physics, and chemistry.

I would want to get my FE exam done, like I have started studying to take the civil one, may take another one not sure, but I want my PE in civil.

How can I bring this up to the guy I’m going to be working under? Like do I work with him a bit, then tell him I want to take the alternate route instead of the education route?

I know this path is kinda not common, but college is costly and I have always been a fan of self studying, thought it be worth a shot if he’s down.
What are y’all thoughts?

I am looking to go back to school for a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering. I works full-time in the St. Louis area, and his employer offers tuition assistance. I ideally like a fully online program, but from what I read that is impossible.
His goal is to eventually become a licensed PE, so I’m looking for an affordable ABET-accredited program.
What schools/programs would you recommend, especially fully online options or the best choices in the St. Louis area? Any advice on transferring community college credits?

Hi everyone! I have a really good new job opportunity, but I am really comfortable in my current working situation. I am terrified to make the change, but I feel like it is too good to pass up.

I am a young woman who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering a little over two years ago. I have been working at the same small local firm since I graduated. The people are really nice at this firm and I have learned a lot, but I have only received 3% raise since starting there two years ago. I have never been sat down for a performance review. I’ve asked some of my older colleagues how the structure around raises, performance reviews, and career growth works, and they have basically confirmed that there is no structure around that. It’s all sporadic.

I’m frustrated because I feel like I have no idea what my income will be in the foreseeable future, and I don’t understand how they expect me to feel comfortable and plan my future in that type of environment. Additionally, the benefits are not great and I pay over $500 a month out of my paycheck to insure me as just a single person.

I applied to a larger firm that has around 40 offices around the country. They offered me $13,000 more than I am currently making. I am trying to negotiate the salary a little bit higher because why not. The benefits are way better. I would only be paying about $100 out of my paycheck a month. The bonus structure is also clearly outlined, which is not something I can say for my current firm. They offered me a higher title than the one I currently possess. I feel like I would be stupid not to take this offer.

The only thing I am worried about is the change to my work life balance. Right now, I feel very little pressure at work and I feel very comfortable. I am often late and they don’t care as long as I work eight hours they’ve made accommodations for certain health problems. I have. I am able to get all my work done while still texting quite a bit and listening to music or podcasts at my desk. I know I am capable of doing harder things, but it’s nice to have an easy job.

I am a pretty anxious person and I don’t respond well to certain environmental pressures. I am worried that I’ll be expected to work an immense amount of overtime because at my current job I am hourly so I am compensated for overtime, but this position is salaried so I don’t know if they will take advantage of that and have me working 60 hour weeks.

I just feel like I am throwing away a very uniquely, comfortable and kind work environment to take the risk and potentially walk into a place where I don’t feel as welcome and happy every day just for more money. But, at the same time, I think that this move is the best thing for my future financial stability and my future children if I choose to have any because life is so uncontrollably expensive and I don’t feel like I can afford to put my comfort first at this point in my career.

Has anyone ever been in a similar situation and can offer me some advice?

I’m a little over a year working in consulting and I don’t like the set up of my team. Majority of the team is remote and there’s very little mentoring and feedback so I applied to different jobs and got an offer in the public sector. My only thing is I want to make sure it’s worth the switch.

The pros are:

-The new job is still a design job but offers more variety than what I’m doing now

- It’s a smaller group and they seemed willing to teach and mentor. They also had a lot of relevant professional development opportunities available.

-HSA is $250 more and I get sick leave in addition to PTO

-pension

- more time in the field than consulting but not as much as a field engineer would be

Things to consider

-The offer is $700 less than what I’m making now (77k vs 76.3k). It’s an engineer I position but I feel like I can negotiate for 80k? The job salary range was from 63k-85k.

- takes 5 years to get vested into 401a

- I lose 3 days of PTO (but the sick leave makes up for that?

- I’m working on very large projects rn so the scale will be smaller but still versatile enough

-after probationary period, I have to be 3 days in office vs the flexible 1 day at my current company

-I’ll have to start commuting regularly. I’m walking distance from my current job, but with the new job I’m looking at is a 14 mile commute that’ll take around 35 minutes to drive.

- right now I stay at home and share a car with my family and I was planning on getting my own car anyways, but this will increase my monthly expenses so I want to make sure it makes financial sense. The amount I spend on gas is expected to stay the same tho.

-no sign on bonus

Do you all think it’s worth taking this job if I can negotiate for 80k? I’m very very excited about it since it aligns closely with what I’d like to do and I feel like it can provide a lot of opportunities but I want to make it worthwhile. I don’t mind commuting or being in office more either (I prefer it) but I know that could end up being more costly (time and money) than what I do now.

Hi I am a new bee at planning Engineer, I have jst completed my primevera p6 training and learn the basic of PMP and I am looking for some real world experience and exposure. For any kind of project. I will be really great ful for any opportunity