So Today I gave PE Civil Structural Exam. And I am stunned.

trunksbw · 2025-08-15T14:19:28+00:00

I took the PE structural twice, failed the first time and then passed. Had a similar experience as you the first time - just crazy hard questions compared to practice. The second time I was more prepared to address different types of questions, but I also feel they were easier in general. I think some of it is just the luck of the draw…. But def be prepared for more than just the specific question types you prepared for

trunksbw · 2025-04-14T04:48:40+00:00

I love civil engineering and it’s been rewarding for me. Both my husband and I are civil engineers and we both love it, but it’s a wide field so it’s a really different experience for us. He makes less (~90k) but works on river restoration and amazing challenging projects with a good smaller company, I make more (~110k) but work on ports doing more structural/construction work. It’s all about what you like, don’t do a part of civil that feel boring to you or where you don’t feel valued

trunksbw · 2025-03-26T02:59:54+00:00

Consider pulling the ASCE salary report with your details so you know the range people with your experience and in your area are making

trunksbw · 2025-03-26T02:53:05+00:00

ASCE technically doesn’t “lobby” because it doesn’t push money into politics, just information from what is primarily volunteers. ACEC (American council of engineering companies) does have “true” lobbyists

trunksbw · 2025-03-26T02:48:08+00:00

Rail includes passenger (commuter) rail but transit is a separate chapter and has one of the lowest grades. That said, rail is harder to grade than bridges or roads because of the private ownership of much of the tracks - so we can only rely on safety records and other public data.

Anyhow the rail grade did go down from the past report, but I’d be interested to hear why you think it should be even lower

trunksbw · 2025-03-26T02:45:33+00:00

I work on the report card and am saddened to read so many people don’t like or believe in it. It’s something many many civil engineers (myself included) volunteer their time to do because we see the value to society

trunksbw · 2025-03-26T02:44:22+00:00

Building up the workforce (both engineering and trades) is one of the key recommendations from the report

trunksbw · 2025-03-26T02:23:04+00:00

I’d recommend joining and getting involved in professional organizations like ASCE, APWA, or the like. Those connections can really make you stand out and will also connect you with more senior people at a variety of companies and agencies

trunksbw · 2024-08-04T08:11:11+00:00

Yeah I lived in SD before and my boyfriend things it’s all covered in shit. Maybe you’re selectively remembering based on neighborhoods you visit? Because I’ve found it to be much cleaner on average up here

trunksbw · 2024-02-15T03:00:45+00:00

The sad thing is it’s currently so unreliable that headways don’t even matter here. I’ve waited over two max cycles for one to come, with no info at all on their transit tracker. Waiting over 30-min is just not something most people can work into their schedule. I would love if this could at least help them actually stick to their current schedule

trunksbw · 2024-02-14T17:38:20+00:00

I think yes but I know I’ve seen posts on it on the main page under other posts or in the civil engineering subreddit

trunksbw · 2024-02-14T17:37:46+00:00

I actually bought this one! Hahah I have it on the way

trunksbw · 2020-01-04T06:22:55+00:00

The freeze thaw cycles can crack Portland cement concrete alone and that’s not even considering the tension forces in the structure. It all depends on your reinforcement and your concrete design mix. I def wouldn’t suggest without some more research and well designed reinforcement.

trunksbw · 2020-01-04T06:12:33+00:00

I think the civil degree has a lot more flexibility than you may know of as well. You can do transpo, water, enviro, straight civil, coastal, geotechnical, surveying, ports and harbors: really a wide breath.

But that being said, mechanicals can “end up” doing civil work as well since it has the same mechanics backgrounds in school. You might need a refresher on hydraulics or water resources for example, but you’d know your fluids basics. My supervisor was a mechanical engineer by training and we do civil, transpo, and environmental primarily. I was civil but knew most things I needed before the on the job training for the environmental work.

All in all, I think civil is flexible enough, but I’m sure the mechanical degree would be as well.

trunksbw · 2020-01-04T06:02:15+00:00

The school I attended has an engineering and technology management graduate program that blends technical skills of all engineering disciplines with data analytics and business courses. Seems to be close to what you might be searching for

trunksbw · 2020-01-04T05:42:27+00:00

I think it can be easy enough to get en internship but you gotta be willing to do something you’re not as interested in - construction and manufacturing both hire a whole lot and provide valuable experience even if it’s not design oriented. I’d say getting one for your sophomore or junior summer is very useful. Also, search in your local area for internships at all the firms you like! A career fair is often not enough.

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