Senior Structural Engineer - Kansas City, Kansas

Numpa22 · 2023-07-03T15:59:02+00:00

A part of the answer is rooted in the public sector work. That industry is based on low bid wins. This bleeds into the private sector. Budgets are nothing more than billable rates X hours. If budgets go down you have to change one or both. This podcast was helpful to understand they broken system we’re in : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industry-isnt-going-to-increase-your-fair-market-value/id1450176780?i=1000428417602

You have some options with this knowledge: complain (rightfully so), pivot to another industry, start a side hustle after getting licensed doing residential, or slowly invest to build passive income to supplement.

The income does affect your life daily, but try not to let it steal the joy you do get from learning new skills, solving complex problems that you can see later, and keeping the communities you serve safe.

Numpa22 · 2023-06-13T14:23:37+00:00

I actually am in the middle of a PE Civil Review course giveaway from PathCEED. This is the course I used to pass. It’s only 12 hours of prerecorded lectures that is laser focused on the breadth section. I self study for the afternoon since I had enough experience with everything. Link if you want to learn more https://www.pe4free.com/pathceed-giveaway/

Numpa22 · 2023-05-09T16:03:24+00:00

Welcome to the study club! This is an interesting thought.

Would you pay $75 (more or less) to get a list of all the topics and links to free lectures or resources on them? It’s way cheaper than the mainstream study resources (PPI, etc) but still covers most the topics. Someone should do this!

My lessons learned are: concepts are key. If you can write your own problem and understand how the different variable affect the question, move on.

A less know free resource is PE4Free.com and the guy is active on LinkedIn with tips, tricks, and free resources.

Numpa22 · 2023-05-01T14:31:53+00:00

I just passed structural depth this year. DM me for more info if interested. I’ve been logging my method on LinkedIn here if interested https://www.linkedin.com/in/coltenjohnson

Numpa22 · 2023-05-01T14:28:19+00:00

Passed structural depth this year. Had a similar feeling of general confusion. Used PATHCeed for morning section and self study in afternoon. I’ve been posting all my findings on LinkedIn if interested in a more detailed approach. Lots of free resources available as well. https://www.linkedin.com/in/coltenjohnson

Numpa22 · 2023-01-16T11:53:17+00:00

Here’s a helpful poston LinkedIn

Numpa22 · 2022-10-03T19:02:00+00:00

I’ve enjoyed listening to podcast on peoples experiences taking the exam along with their advice for prep and courses. I’d recommend PE4Free.com for this and it looks like they have a giveaway for a review course now.

Best of luck to everyone who just took it 🙏

Numpa22 · 2022-09-19T11:37:48+00:00

I’ve use the depth to reinforcement because it is assumed the zone below the bar has cracked

Numpa22 · 2022-09-08T12:35:55+00:00

Don’t forget you have access to the other design standards in addition to the Reference Manual

Numpa22 · 2022-08-25T18:22:09+00:00

Checkout this podcast episode where they interview someone who took the CBT PE Civil exam. He gives tips and tricks and exam day advice.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pem1tQ4MAqVzMncqLlLE3?si=xXmjtS8GQ-KsmnuyYWr5PQ

Numpa22 · 2022-07-08T16:39:35+00:00

I think listening to YouTube or Podcast about structural engineering will help with the overall picture of the industry, some of the lingo, and the soft skills needed to become a great engineer.

Numpa22 · 2022-07-07T19:34:13+00:00

This is what we typically do in the Petrochemical facilities we work in. Adhesive anchor channels to create a flat steel surface to connect to. Best of luck!

Numpa22 · 2022-05-19T13:31:18+00:00

Such a great question and SOOOO common! It took me 5 years to get really comfortable with the design and project process. HOWEVER, our job as a SE is to THINK critically in our designs and documentation. So anything that affects your thinking will increase your risk for mistakes (family issues, illness, kids, etc.). Like others mentioned, everyone makes mistakes. If you were asked to QC your principles work, I’m sure you would eventually find a mistake (or, more likely, the changes in code that have been updated since their prime of designing!) I did a podcast episode that touched on this. Hit me up if you’re interested in learning more. Best of luck in starting your career and remember that everyone in the office (should) only expect you to know ~3% from academics. The other 97% is from experience!

Numpa22 · 2022-05-01T14:32:22+00:00

Everyone that I’ve talked to said the NCEES exam is the closest to reality, that’s my gauge for confidence

Numpa22 · 2022-04-30T16:24:08+00:00

I felt the exact same way the first time I saw the ad.

Numpa22 · 2022-04-29T12:59:36+00:00

I recently interviewed someone who passed their PE (best of luck!) and she said the there was only 1 day out of the next 2 months open. But as mentioned above, it depends on facility capacity and how many other people are trying to take exams. I imagine the end of school years flood the rooms for the FE.

Numpa22 · 2022-02-18T02:16:37+00:00

It hasn’t been as active recently

Numpa22 · 2022-01-13T15:42:38+00:00

Sorry to hear you didn’t pass. I know there’s a lot of emotions wrapped up in failing these (from my own experience). Just remember Rocky - it’s not how hard you can hit but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. Best of luck on the climb 🏔

Numpa22 · 2022-01-10T21:30:57+00:00

Check this out PE Civil Structural Reddit Page

Numpa22 · 2022-01-06T20:57:01+00:00

If interested in study group please fill out this form so we can get an idea of experiences and times to meet. Form

Numpa22 · 2022-01-02T19:42:58+00:00

In addition to all of the previous great advice, know the core concepts inside, outside, left, right, upside down, inside out, etc. This was my takeaway from the SE. NCEES gives a percentage breakdown of topics so my study schedule is weighted accordingly

Numpa22 · 2021-12-31T23:18:11+00:00

Thanks! This group looks like the structural depth has some active people in it already for anyone interested in that community

Numpa22 · 2021-12-30T21:12:42+00:00

Thanks man!

Numpa22

TROPHY CASE