School of PE Podcast: Recent Episodes
School of PE
We are so excited to offer our latest educational resource: the School of PE Podcast. Several times a month, we will be releasing a variety of episodes featuring hot topics in engineering along with interviews with School of PE instructors, subject matter experts, and other special guests. Hosted by our Associate Vice President Chris Miller, these podcasts are designed to deliver interesting and informative content you can listen to or watch anywhere, anytime. Tune in regularly so you don’t miss any updates or new content!
In this week’s episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris and Tony Long, a petroleum engineer from Texas, discuss gas emissions. You’ll learn about flared natural gas, lit and unlit flares, venting, and more! Discover the causes of harmful emissions, and learn what engineers like Tony are doing to reduce them. Later, Tony shares advice for aspiring engineers and provides a glimpse into his life as a PE!
On this episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris is joined by Julienne Bautista, a stormwater environmental engineer from Washington, DC. She explains the serious effects of stormwater pollutants on homes and the environment and how engineers use detention and retention to counteract them. You’ll learn about the stormwater regulations in DC and the interesting ways businesses adhere to them. Julienne also shares advice for engineering students to help them discover their skillsets and learn to communicate better through a diverse list of courses. Tune in today!
This episode of the School of PE Podcast featuring Chris and Luke Rowley, a PE from Utah, is all about goal setting. Luke shares comprehensive advice on how to set and achieve your goals. He also reveals 4 fundamental life categories that all goals should fall within to improve the quality of your results. Learn how to work past boredom, procrastination, and burnout to accomplish more. Listen today for a productivity and self-improvement masterclass!
In this week’s episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris is joined by civil engineer Justin Goolsby to discuss the college experience of an engineer. Learn about the impact professors can have on students and how you can get to know your professors for a better experience. Justin also addresses the challenges that come with remote classes and presents possible ways to work past them. Later, he provides advice for college freshmen, including how to maintain a reasonable workload. If you’re about to begin your college journey or you’re just interested in education, this episode is for you!
On this episode of the School of PE Podcast, join Chris and environmental engineer Geder Mena as they dive into some unique topics in engineering: creativity and emotional intelligence. Discover how these traits apply to engineering and why they are integral to generating innovation in the field. You will also learn about other interesting elements of environmental engineering like environmental site investigation, site assessment remediation, and underground storage tanks. Check this episode out to learn how important this work is for improving public health and protecting the environment!
This week’s episode of the School of PE Podcast features John Zaccheo, a mechanical engineer from NYC. Learn more about the climate mobilization act in NYC and the local government’s plans to dramatically reduce carbon emissions within the next couple decades. John also shares what changes need to be made to buildings to increase energy efficiency, like implementing electric boilers and wind or solar energy options. Listen today to learn all about this ambitious plan and how it will improve the health of people and the planet!
This episode of the School of PE Podcast features Chris and Luke Mignogna, a field engineer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Take a closer look into the day-to-day of a field engineer, and learn what skillsets are necessary to become one. Luke shares the benefits of becoming a field engineer and how the experience he has gained from it has evolved his practice. Luke also provides tips for current and future engineers, including what to expect from the field engineering path and how it differs from other engineering jobs. If you want to discover how to grow in your engineering career, this is the episode for you!
In this week’s episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris is joined by Brian Huttner, a precast structural engineer from Virginia Tech. Learn how precast concrete is used to build and why it is so efficient for making beautiful structures. Brian gives insight into his past projects and how he has learned to balance client/architect expectations with reality. Later, Brian reveals the challenges of building various structures, including parking garages, hotels, and warehouses.
In this episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris talks with Obi Efochie, a PE-based out of Texas, about the winter power outages in Dallas, Texas. Obi provides insights into the causes of the power outage and suggests ways to prevent future outages, including winterizing power systems and passing laws that allow the allocation of power between cities. Gain valuable information on becoming a PE through problem-solving and communication skills, and take a closer look into an engineer's day based on Obi’s personal experience.
This episode of the School of PE Podcast features principal engineer and geologist Charles Hubbard on technical competency in the real world. He explains the importance of always gaining more information and education to increase your competency within your field. You’ll learn about the problem solving, analysis, and evaluation Mr. Hubbard conducts to reduce the threats of landslides on existing structures as well as an engineer’s role in various project phases. Tune in today!
In this episode, we welcome Dustin Douglas back to the show, this time to discuss the effects of materials cost increases in construction! Learn about which materials are experiencing cost increases, what’s causing them, who absorbs the increases, and more. Discover the effects that COVID has had on rising costs as well as the different ways consumers are navigating these changes. If you want to know more about price escalation within construction, this is the episode for you. Listen now!
In this week’s episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris is joined by Justin Meyerson, an Office Engineer at SI Engineering, P.C. in NYC. Have you ever wondered what resident engineering and inspection (REI) services are or what an office engineer does? In this episode, you’ll learn more about resident engineering and inspection services for government agencies in NYC as well as the roles of an office engineer. You’ll also discover the ways REI services reduce risk! Tune in today.
In this episode of the School of PE Podcast, repeat guest Erin Kelly joins Chris on the show! During this episode, you will learn more about the different paths that civil structural engineers can take, including design engineering, forensics engineering, risk assessment, and in-house engineering support. Kelly explains how there’s no right way to be an engineer and that there is value in experimenting in different fields of engineering before you make your decision on which to choose as a career. She also notes that there is often overlap in engineering careers, so even if you feel like you might not be qualified for a position, you likely are due to previous engineering experience and training. You will also find out the common instruments a structural engineer would have in his or her daily toolkit!
This School of PE Podcast episode features Chris and Mr. Aleksandr Treyger, a PE and PMP based out of Jersey Shore. Learn more about climate change and the future of hydropower, like how climate change affects people and the environment, different ways people and corporations can reduce pollution and emissions, and the benefits of implementing hydropower as a source of renewable energy. This episode is particularly relevant if you are passionate or curious about the feasibility of green energy.
In this episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris talks with Mr. Mitch Hanson, an electrical engineer in Fort Collins, CO. You will learn more about what comes next after passing your PE exam. Hanson touches on how he balanced studying for the exam with maintaining his career, the benefits of obtaining a PE, what it means for a licensed engineer to stamp a set of plans, how to stay current on licensure, and more! Tune in now.
Join Chris as he talks to repeat guest Mr. James Avery, a fire protection engineer based out of Memphis, TN. In this episode, you will learn about the safety tools Avery uses on a day-to-day basis, the fire protection equipment individuals should have to protect themselves and their homes, and the rigorous testing done on commercial fire protection systems to make sure they will function properly when needed.
Join Chris as he talks with Isaac Oakeson, the founder of Civil Engineering Academy. In this episode, dive into the new PE Civil CBT exam format—learn about the different alternative item type (AIT) questions, the pros and cons of the exam going digital, and some of the best strategies to ace the exam. This episode is particularly applicable for examinees with questions or concerns about the new CBT exam format beginning in January.
In this episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris is joined by Mr. Doug Smith, the Learning Success Manager for HoloPundits, a leading augmented reality solutions provider helping School of PE create AR/VR features for our publications. Discover the exponential growth of extended technology applications and the benefits of implementing these technologies within education, manufacturing, and engineering. Listen now to learn more about these exciting innovations and the numerous ways they can be applied in the real world!
This episode of the School of PE Podcast features a discussion between Chris and repeat guest, Collin Sims, School of PE’s Program Administrator. You will learn more about how School of PE is a leader in professional education with innovative technology designed to improve learning experiences for students. Discover how and why we developed certain learning tools, the benefits of content retrieval and refreshing your memory, and the advantages of including augmented reality (AR) features in our publications! Tune in today!
In this episode of the School of PE Podcast, we are joined by a returning guest, Mr. James Lindsey, a structural engineer. This episode focuses on Lindsey’s personal experiences with and strategies for preparing to take both the FE and PE exams. Lindsey gives suggestions on how to overcome mental hurdles, how to improve content retention, and how to keep a positive attitude through this taxing exam prep process. Tune in today!
In this episode of the School of PE Podcast, join Chris as he puts fire protection engineer James Avery in the hot seat! Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Avery began his engineering adventure in the mechanical sector before receiving an opportunity to work for a sprinkler company. You’ll learn about technological developments in fire protection like firefighting drones, active vs. passive fire protection systems, and Avery’s goal of eventually putting firefighters out of business! Tune in to satisfy your burning curiosity about fire protection engineering.
In this episode of the School of PE Podcast, we are joined by a repeat guest, Mr. Mike Villarosa, a New York State civil engineer and instructor for School of PE. This episode focuses on new information released by the NCEES about the PE Civil CBT exam, the pros and cons of having open book exams vs. exams where students can only use their reference handbook, and time management. You’ll also learn about some of the engineering projects Villarosa has been working on in New York and the experiences he had while transitioning from working from an office to working from home during COVID.
On this episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris interviews James Lindsey, a structural engineer currently working in the field of utilities. You’ll learn about the effects of weather on transmission lines and structures, the pros and cons of certain assembly structures, when you would want to use underground versus overhead lines, and more!
Join Chris as he talks to Erin Kelly, an instructor for School of PE and structural engineer in California. Kelly currently performs seismic risk assessments for commercial real estate with Blackstone Consulting. In this episode, you will find out about the California Seismic and Surveying exams and why they’re intentionally difficult, as well as the importance of teachers and advisors in helping students recognize skills and strengths.
This episode of the School of PE Podcast features a conversation between Chris and Dustin Douglas, a geotechnical engineer living and working in Texas. Douglas is currently a region engineer for a geotech firm called GeoPier, but originally began his education as a music major! In this episode, you will learn about why engineers would want to earn PE licenses in multiples states, the cold weather-induced power outages in Texas during early 2021, the compounding nature of engineering education, and more!
In this episode, Chris Miller talks with Collin Sims, School of PE’s Program Administrator. Collin is from Zanesville, OH but lives in Columbus now. This conversation touches on taking the FE exam while you’re in college/right out of college, the transition of the PE Mechanical exam from pencil-and-paper to CBT, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude during exam preparation.
This fourth episode of the School of PE Podcast features a conversation between Chris Miller and USAF Major Sean Stuntz. Stuntz is a civil engineer for the Air Force originally from Louisiana but based currently in Nevada. In this episode, you will find out about the mission for military civil engineers, differences between civilian and military engineers, and more!
In this episode of the School of PE Podcast, Chris Miller talks with Mike Villarosa, a civil engineer in New York who has been teaching with School of PE for three years. Villarosa is a civil engineer for the Orange County Department of Public Works as well as a Water Resources instructor for School of PE. You’ll learn about the different experiences students have taking Onsite versus Live Online classes, the benefits of taking the FE exam right out of college, changes in engineering, and more!
Join host Chris Miller as he talks to School of PE student-turned School of PE instructor Sidney May. May is a civil engineer with a focus in transportation and owns her own engineering practice out of Birmingham, Alabama. In this episode, you will learn about May’s joining the School of PE team as an instructor, her passion for engineering, and her experiences as a woman in engineering. Tune in today!
In this pilot episode of the School of PE Podcast, host Chris Miller introduces himself, the podcast, and touches on the elephant in the room: the transition of the PE Civil exam from pencil-and-paper format to computer-based testing (CBT) format. Chris notes that there is no need to panic about this change, as most students have likely taken their FE exam in the CBT format already! Listen today and learn more about this transition!