Thursday, 8 May 2025

5 Essential Strategies to Master Problem-Solving on the FE and PE Exams

5 Essential Strategies to Master Problem-Solving on the FE and PE Exams
Conquering the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) and PE (Principles and Practice of Engineering) exams is a pivotal milestone for any aspiring or practicing engineer. Through years of supporting tens of thousands of students at School of PE, we've noticed a clear pattern: those who pass consistently approach their preparation differently. It's not just about knowing the material—it's about mastering a proven strategy for problem-solving. Here, we share five essential, experience-driven strategies to help you break through the barrier of exam anxiety, efficiently tackle complex engineering problems, and walk into your exam with genuine confidence.

1. Become a Time Management Architect

Time management isn't just about finishing on time-it's about ensuring you allocate your brainpower where it counts. On the FE and PE exams, you’re facing a relentless timer and a wide spectrum of questions, so you need a blueprint for success:
  • Establish Section Benchmarks: Before the exam, review the number of questions in each section and set strict time limits (about 2-3 minutes per question for the FE, slightly more for complex PE problems). That means if a section has 40 questions, you should finish in around 80-120 minutes. Set checkpoints to ensure you're on pace every 15-20 questions.
  • Apply the 'Move & Mark' Rule: If you're not making meaningful progress after 3 minutes, mark the question, make a quick note, and move on. Return only after all other questions have been attempted. This keeps your mental bandwidth fresh for easier points.
  • Prioritize Review Time: Budget at least 10-15 minutes at the end for flagged questions and educated guessing. This is crucial- a rushed review is rarely effective.

2. Build Unshakeable Foundations in Key Concepts

Effective problem-solving isn't magic-it's built on solid foundations. We see many students leap into advanced topics without true fluency in the basics. Here's our approach for mastering core concepts (and saving time on the exam):
  • Perfect Basic Math and Engineering Principles: Don't just 'review' algebra, calculus, and statistics-practice until you can do them in your sleep. Set a goal: 90%+ accuracy in these fundamentals before you dive deep into high-level problem sets.
  • Link Equations to Real Engineering Scenarios: Use concept maps to visually connect equations (like beam deflection, circuit laws, or fluid mechanics formulas) to actual field applications. This trains your intuition-on exam day, you’ll spot solution paths faster.
  • Analyze Model Solutions: Take time to dissect 50–100 worked problem solutions. Identify the decision points that experts use to recognize problem types (e.g., is this a statics, dynamics, or thermodynamics scenario?). Jot down patterns-you'll start spotting them in unfamiliar questions.

3. Master the Three-Tier Question Attack

The quickest way to maximize your score is to attack questions in waves based on their difficulty. Ignore conventional wisdom to start from Question 1 and go in order. Here's how we coach School of PE students for exam efficiency:
Tier Approach Target Time
Easy Identify and solve immediately. Don’t overthink—lock in these points first. 1–2 min each
Moderate Attempt after easy questions. Allocate more time if necessary, but be strict. 3–4 min each
Hard Leave for the end. Return with a fresh perspective, and if stuck, make an educated guess and move on. 2 min (max) each
By purposely leaving challenging questions for last, you avoid draining your confidence and ensure that easy points-which are equally weighted-don't get overlooked.

4. Practice with Depth and Deliberate Feedback

Practice is not just about quantity-it's about the quality and intent behind every session. Our instructors regularly see students waste time rehashing the same problem types. Here’s how to practice smarter:
  • Mix and Rotate Subjects: Force yourself to tackle questions from all areas (e.g., mechanics, fluids, math, ethics) within each session. This prevents your brain from getting 'tunnel vision' and mimics the unpredictability of the actual exam.
  • Create Multiple Solution Paths: For tougher subjects (mechanics, electrical circuits), practice solving the same problem two different ways-algebraic and graphical, for example. It cements your flexibility for curveballs on test day.
  • Document Errors and Learn from Them: Maintain an 'error log'-write out why you got a problem wrong, what distracted you, and how you’ll adapt next time. This transforms every mistake into a permanent advantage.
  • Leverage Realistic Practice Exams: Make time for at least 3–4 full-length, timed practices simulating test-day conditions. If you're looking for a trusted resource, our FE Exam Review Courses and PE Exam Review Courses both offer hundreds of up-to-date practice problems with expert-written solutions tailored to the exam's evolving format.

5. Use Spaced Repetition to Cement Long-Term Recall

One of the biggest issues we see is students cramming too close to exam day and forgetting foundational material. The solution? Spaced repetition-a scientifically-proven memory technique:
  • Review Key Topics in Intervals: Instead of one session per topic, revisit concepts at intervals of 7, 14, and 30 days. This can be managed using digital flashcard platforms or a simple calendar reminder system.
  • Prioritize High-Yield Formulas and Methods: Identify and flag formulas (e.g., Bernoulli's equation, Mohr’s circle, ethics codes) that are essential for rapid recall. Practice them in active recall format-write from memory, don't just reread.
  • Weekly Mock Tests: Starting 2 months before your exam, take a weekly, mixed-discipline practice test. This stress-tests your memory retrieval and hones your test stamina. 

Bonus: Strengthen Exam-Day Strategy with a Professional Community

We can't overstate the power of group momentum and expert guidance. Regularly connect with fellow candidates or professional mentors for timed drills, troubleshooting tough questions, and sharing insights-these real-world connections often lead to both higher scores and stronger career networks.
  • Join Peer Study Groups: Explaining a solution out loud to a peer uncovers your blind spots and helps solidify concepts in your brain.
  • Ask for Feedback: Seek advice on your solution pathways or exam strategy from those who have recently passed. At School of PE, our seasoned instructors make mentorship an integral part of every course cohort.

Final Thoughts: Make Problem-Solving Your Edge

Mastering the FE and PE exams is more than a rite of passage-it's a launchpad for an impactful career in engineering. By building strong fundamentals, being methodical with your time, and practicing deliberately across all knowledge areas, you'll do more than pass the test-you'll shape yourself into a problem solver employers trust. If you’re looking for structured, proven support on this journey and resources developed by experts, browse our current FE and PE prep courses. We're here to help you get the edge you deserve.
Ready to take your problem-solving skills to the next level? Explore School of PE’s industry-leading review courses and discover why we back our courses with a Pass Guarantee.

Thursday, 1 May 2025

Promoting Career Growth: Training as a Catalyst for Advancement Opportunities

Promoting Career Growth: Training as a Catalyst for Advancement Opportunities
Career growth is one of the most important aspects of finding a job that fits a person. Once somebody finds a job that they’re interested in or that has a solid financial package, they’re willing to invest more in the company - more time, more money, and more emotion- when the company has an equal investment in them. It’s important at that point that the employee feels that their career is equally important to that of their employer. Training opportunities are an excellent way to help promote career growth and act as a catalyst for future career advancement. Career growth opportunities at work are a simple way to prove this investment and create an avenue for advancement. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of providing career growth opportunities at work and some tips that will help level up your career.

Why is it important to provide career growth opportunities at work?

Complacency is the enemy of progress, and while minor growth comes from the actual doing of standard job tasks at work, it’s easy to fall into complacency, especially when we know what we’re doing. The biggest requirement for growth (personal and professional) is challenge. There is no progress if employees aren’t continually challenged. Career growth opportunities can come in a variety of ways, and offering these opportunities at work has its own set of benefits.
Increased Engagement- Engagement between employees is a fantastic benefit of work-study. Engaged employees do a better job of the same work as others who are less than excited about the work. Engagement can look different depending on the type of growth in mind. For example, in exam review courses, employees have the opportunity to study together, gain new insights into subjects they were limited in before, and gain access to a pool of knowledge and experience they might otherwise not have been given.
Increased Retention- Offering training experiences within the workspace comes with the hope that employees will stay loyal to the company for the foreseeable future, but there is the expectation that sometimes, some will transfer to jobs that better suit them. Training that is job and company-specific while still giving employees the skills necessary to thrive anywhere is actually an excellent method of retaining top employees. With the proper investment in the employee, the employer may see a return on that investment by training and onboarding fewer employees.
Potential for Innovation- Training on top of work is a hefty task. It requires diligence, determination, and an extra seven hours in the day to complete. Alas, there are still only twenty-four, so creativity is necessary when it comes to the balance of both. The creativity necessary to complete both leads to innovation in the workplace that benefits the group as a whole.
Improved Performance- Because we all like a good challenge in our lives, employees who feel motivated by the opportunity for growth will rise to the challenge and do their best. This motivation will bleed into other areas of your organization and boost their performance as well.
Increased Opportunity for Internal Advancement- Employee retention is an often-overlooked benefit of training opportunities. Oftentimes, it can feel like training only serves the trainee and their own career. However, training with the specific intention of retaining top employees offers the company a greater opportunity to maintain their own employee pool over a longer period of time. There will always be that turnover rate, but when the opportunity is offered for internal career advancement, and employees are constantly trained with the company in mind, retention increases, and the budget for onboarding employees can be drastically reduced. Not to mention that the employee is already trained in the company's standard operating procedures, so the training time is also reduced.

Training Tips to Level Up Your Career

Training within the workplace can take your career to new places, and the opportunity to take advantage of career development within the workplace is not something offered to everybody. Nor is it always a formal event. Here are a few tips to use when deciding on training opportunities and if they’re likely to take you where you want to go.
  1. Define your career goals. Goals are important because they provide directions to follow and create a guide for every decision you make as an employee. It’s like taking a long drive. Without knowing exactly where you’re going (or at least a general idea), you wander the roads, never really making it anywhere.
  2. Know your career options. Keeping with the map analogy, knowing where you’re going is valuable information, but knowing all the different paths you can take to get there is equally as important. If you want to take the streamlined roads, you’ll know which training opportunities to follow rather than letting them pass you by. Having a good idea of what training options are available to you can give you a better idea of how long it will take to get to your desired goal.
  3. Consider leadership development programs. No matter your eventual goal, leadership will be an important quality that can make or break your chances for success. There are classes specific to leadership and others where leadership is a nice byproduct. Either way, these leadership opportunities are a good way to develop your integrity as a businessperson.
  4. Utilize mentorships whenever possible. Mentors are excellent resources for career advancement. A mentor is a trusted and experienced advisor, somebody meant to train a younger colleague in everything they know. This mentor can come from within the organization or outside. They provide invaluable information, such as strategies for speed and precision, technical know-how, and practical career/work guidance. A mentor can help establish a path to success within or outside of the organization.
  5. Request new responsibilities to challenge yourself. Taking new responsibilities upon yourself is a great way of establishing yourself as a trustworthy and efficient person. These responsibilities also require the creation and development of new skills, such as time management and technical knowledge, within the scope of their new job requirements. It proves your reliability and determination as well.
  6. Take advantage of offered sponsorships. Sponsorships are similar to mentorships in that a sponsor can also act as a mentor. However, the key difference is that a sponsor involves a person advocating for you directly in order to provide better career opportunities based on your ability and potential. A sponsor can also have a drastic effect on a person’s expected pay. As of 2019, statistics indicated that those with a sponsor were paid 11.6% more than those who did not.
  7. Don’t discount internal advancement opportunities. While career advancement is often referred to in terms of transferring companies as a form of advancement, it’s important to recognize the viability of advancing internally within a job family. This is where employee retention benefits both the employee and the company. There’s no need to onboard in either scenario.
  8. Strengthen your networking skills with volunteer opportunities. Volunteer work is oftentimes overlooked as a career advancement tool. It shows your willingness to go beyond your job requirements. It also gives you the opportunity to create connections in a community other than the workplace that can potentially benefit the work you do. Even if the networking itself doesn’t have a direct impact on your job, the connections you’ve made and the work you’ve done are valuable.
  9. Seek jobs with a defined career path and job family. While it can be fun to figure things out on your own and find your way through the muck, having an already predetermined path to follow eliminates the uncertainty that initially comes with growth and development. Going back to the road trip analogy, it would be like trying to carve your own road when one is already defined and accessible. By going into a field that has a predetermined path toward advancement, you eliminate the questions that arise from creating something new altogether.
  10. Invest in your strengths. While training is often geared towards new skills, it’s also important to look inward. Discover the strengths and skills that come naturally to you. Generally, when we recognize these skills and are able to develop them, it’s because our minds automatically gravitate towards this type of thinking. The active development of these innate skills can make them much stronger and invaluable to yourself and the company.
Employee training is an important tool for the creation and development of new career opportunities. Whether the new career opportunity is within the original organization or in a new one, the training instances received in their various methods develop employees who are prepared mentally and physically to meet the demands of their new job description.
Ready to level up your career? Invest in your future with School of PE's expert-led professional development courses. Register today and take the next step in your career journey!
About the Author: Anna Taylor

Anna Taylor is a freelance writer and avid researcher- a jack of all trades, but a master of none. She graduated from the University of Hawai'i with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts because she had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up. She has since found her love of Extended Reality and the possibilities it brings to the world, as well as gardening, cooking, and writing. Anna lives in Interior Alaska with her family.

Thursday, 24 April 2025

Real-World Engineering Projects You Can Try at Home

Real-World Engineering Projects You Can Try at Home
The world of engineering is far more than equations scribbled on whiteboards and theories confined to dusty textbooks. While a solid foundation in the fundamentals is crucial, the true magic of engineering lies in its application – in taking abstract concepts and transforming them into tangible solutions. But how do you bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience when you’re not in a professional lab or workshop? The answer lies in tackling real-world engineering projects right at home.
This isn’t about building a nuclear reactor in your garage (please don’t). It’s about leveraging readily available materials, basic tools, and a healthy dose of ingenuity to engage with engineering principles in a hands-on, meaningful way. These projects are not only educational, but they also foster problem-solving skills, creativity, and a deeper understanding of how the world around us works.

Why Home Projects Matter

Engineering is, at its core, a discipline of practical application. Textbooks provide the “why,” but projects provide the “how.” By building and experimenting, you’ll encounter challenges, learn from failures, and develop a more intuitive grasp of engineering concepts. This hands-on approach offers several key benefits:
  • Reinforced Learning: Applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios solidifies understanding and improves retention.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Projects often present unexpected obstacles, forcing you to think critically and develop innovative solutions.
  • Creativity and Innovation: Home projects encourage experimentation and exploration, fostering a creative mindset essential for engineering.
  • Practical Experience: Building and testing prototypes provides valuable practical experience that can be applied to future projects and careers.
  • Personalized Learning: You can tailor projects to your interests and skill level, making learning more engaging and enjoyable.
Project Ideas for Aspiring Engineers
Here are a few project ideas, categorized by engineering discipline, that you can tackle at home:

1. Mechanical Engineering:

  • Building a Simple Hydraulic Lift: Using syringes, tubing, and water, you can create a miniature hydraulic lift to understand the principles of fluid mechanics and pressure. This project demonstrates how hydraulic systems are used in heavy machinery and construction.
  • Constructing a Wind Turbine: Design and build a small-scale wind turbine using recycled materials like plastic bottles and cardboard. This project explores the concepts of energy conversion, aerodynamics, and renewable energy.
  • Designing a Marble Run with Complex Pathways: Using cardboard, tape, and other household items, create a marble run with intricate pathways, loops, and obstacles. This project emphasizes design, planning, and understanding of motion and gravity.

2. Electrical Engineering:

  • Creating a Simple Circuit with LEDs: Build a basic circuit using LEDs, resistors, and a battery to understand the flow of electricity and the function of circuit components. This project is a great introduction to basic electronics.
  • Building a Motion-Activated Light: Use a motion sensor, a relay, and a light bulb to create a motion-activated light. This project demonstrates the principles of sensor technology and automation.
  • Constructing a Simple Radio Receiver: With basic electronic components, you can build a simple radio receiver to explore the principles of radio waves and signal processing.

3. Civil Engineering:

  • Building a Model Bridge: Design and construct a model bridge using popsicle sticks, toothpicks, or other materials to understand structural integrity and load distribution. Test its strength by gradually adding weight.
  • Creating a Water Filtration System: Build a simple water filtration system using layers of sand, gravel, and activated carbon to understand the principles of water purification.
  • Developing a Model Earthquake-Resistant Structure: Design and build a model building that can withstand simulated earthquakes. This project explores the principles of structural design and seismic engineering.

4. Software/Computer Engineering:

  • Creating a Simple Website: Learn basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to design and build a personal website. This project introduces the fundamentals of web development.
  • Programming a Simple Game: Use a visual programming language like Scratch or a text-based language like Python to create a simple game. This project develops logical thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
  • Automating a Household Task with a Microcontroller: Use an Arduino or Raspberry Pi to automate a simple household task, such as turning on a light at a specific time or monitoring room temperature. This project introduces the world of embedded systems and automation.

Tips for Success

  • Start Small: Begin with simple projects and gradually increase the complexity as you gain experience.
  • Plan and Research: Before starting a project, research the necessary materials, tools, and steps involved.
  • Document Your Process: Keep a journal or blog to document your project, including your design, construction, and testing.
  • Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: Engineering is about trial and error. Don't be afraid to try different approaches and learn from your mistakes.
  • Seek Inspiration: Look for inspiration online, in books, and in your surroundings.
  • Safety First: Always prioritize safety when working with tools and materials.
  • Embrace Failure: Not every project will succeed on the first attempt. Failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.
By engaging in these real-world engineering projects at home, you’ll not only deepen your understanding of engineering principles but also develop essential skills that will serve you well in your academic and professional pursuits. The world is your laboratory, and the possibilities are endless. So, grab your tools, unleash your creativity, and start building!
Ready to take your engineering education to the next level? Check out School of PE for comprehensive engineering exam prep solutions designed to help you succeed.

Thursday, 17 April 2025

The Engineer's Toolkit: Essential Software, Apps, and Resources You Need to Know

The Engineer's Toolkit: Essential Software, Apps, and Resources You Need to Know
Engineering, in all its diverse forms, is a field driven by innovation and problem-solving. But to truly excel, engineers need more than just theoretical knowledge. They require a robust toolkit filled with the right software, apps, and resources to translate ideas into reality. This toolkit is constantly evolving, reflecting the rapid advancements in technology and the ever-increasing complexity of engineering challenges. Whether you're a civil engineer designing bridges, a software engineer crafting complex algorithms, or a mechanical engineer optimizing machine performance, having the right tools at your fingertips is crucial.  
This blog post will investigate the essential components of an engineer's toolkit, exploring the software, apps, and online resources that can empower you to tackle projects with greater efficiency and precision.

1. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software: The Foundation of Design and Visualization

CAD software is the cornerstone of many engineering disciplines, enabling the creation, modification, analysis, and optimization of designs.  
  • For Mechanical and Product Design:
    • For mechanical and product design, engineers often rely on powerful parametric solid modeling software like SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes, n.d.) for designing and simulating mechanical components.  
    • Autodesk (n.d.) provides a variety of CAD software, including AutoCAD and Inventor, which are industry standards for 2D and 3D drafting.  
    • Fusion 360 (Autodesk, n.d.) a cloud-based CAD/CAM/CAE platform that integrates design, manufacturing, and simulation into a single workflow.  
  • For Civil and Architectural Engineering:
    • AutoCAD (Autodesk, n.d.) remains the industry standard for general 2D and 3D drafting.
    • For Building Information Modeling (BIM), Revit (Autodesk, n.d.) allows engineers and architects to create intelligent 3D models.  
    • Civil 3D (Autodesk, n.d.) is specialized software for civil engineering design, analysis, and documentation.  
  • For Electrical Engineering:
    • Altium Designer: A comprehensive PCB design software that covers all aspects of electronic product development, from schematic capture to PCB layout and manufacturing.
    • Eagle PCB: A user-friendly PCB design software that offers a balance of features and affordability, making it popular among hobbyists and professionals alike.

2. Simulation and Analysis Software: Validating Designs and Optimizing Performance

Simulation software allows engineers to test and validate their designs virtually, saving time and resources.  
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Software:
    • Simulation software like ANSYS (n.d.) is used for finite element analysis, enabling engineers to analyze the performance of complex systems.  
    • COMSOL Multiphysics (COMSOL, n.d.) is used for multiphysics simulation, allowing engineers to model and simulate coupled phenomena.  
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Software:
    • OpenFOAM (n.d.) is an open-source CFD software that offers flexibility.  
  • Circuit Simulation Software:
    • Information regarding SPICE can be found within many electrical engineering textbooks, and from university electrical engineering websites.

3. Programming and Scripting Tools: Automating Tasks and Enhancing Productivity

Programming skills are becoming increasingly essential for engineers across all disciplines.
  • Python: A versatile and easy-to-learn programming language widely used in data analysis, scientific computing, and automation. Its extensive libraries and frameworks make it a powerful tool for engineers.
  • MATLAB: A numerical computing environment and programming language used for data analysis, algorithm development, and simulation. It is particularly popular in control systems and signal processing.
  • C/C++: Powerful programming languages used for developing high-performance applications and embedded systems.
  • JavaScript: Very useful for front-end web development and increasingly for back-end development. Useful for creating user interfaces and web-based tools.

4. Project Management and Collaboration Tools: Streamlining Workflows and Facilitating Communication

Effective project management and collaboration are crucial for successful engineering projects.
  • Project management software like Microsoft Project (Microsoft, n.d.) helps engineers plan and track projects.  
  • For agile development and issue tracking, Jira (Atlassian, n.d.) is a popular tool.  
  • GitHub (n.d.) is a platform for version control and collaboration, especially in software development.  
  • Communication platforms like Slack (n.d.) and Microsoft Teams (Microsoft, n.d.) facilitate real-time communication.  

5. Mobile Apps: Enhancing Productivity and Accessibility

Mobile apps can provide engineers with access to essential tools and information on the go.  
  • Engineering Calculators: Apps that provide a variety of engineering calculations, such as stress analysis, fluid dynamics, and electrical calculations.
  • Unit Converters: Apps that allow engineers to quickly convert between different units of measurement.
  • Drawing and Sketching Apps: Apps that allow engineers to create quick sketches and annotations.
  • PDF Readers and Annotators: Apps that allow engineers to view and annotate technical documents.

6. Online Resources and Communities: Staying Up-to-Date and Expanding Knowledge

The internet provides a wealth of resources for engineers.
  • Online learning platforms like School of PE offer a wide range of engineering and project management courses  
  • Professional organizations like IEEE (n.d.), ASME (n.d.), and ASTM International (n.d.) publish standards and guidelines.  

Conclusion: Building a Personalized Toolkit

The engineer's toolkit is a dynamic and evolving collection of tools and resources. The specific components of your toolkit will depend on your discipline, specialization, and personal preferences. However, by embracing the essential categories outlined in this blog post, you can build a robust and effective toolkit that empowers you to tackle complex engineering challenges with confidence.  
Remember that technology is constantly changing, so it's essential to stay up to date with the latest advancements. Explore new software, apps, and resources, and don't be afraid to experiment and find the tools that work best for you. Ultimately, the most effective toolkit is one that you customize to meet your specific needs and workflows.
Another great asset for your toolkit is engineering licensure. Check out School of PE today to see our wide variety of FE, PE, and PMP® exam prep courses, all designed to help you pass on your first try!
References
Altium. (n.d.). Altium Designer. Retrieved from https://www.altium.com/
ANSYS. (n.d.). ANSYS. Retrieved from https://www.ansys.com/
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers).(n.d.). ASME. Retrieved from https://www.asme.org/
ASTM International. (n.d.). ASTM International. Retrieved from https://www.astm.org/
Atlassian. (n.d.). Atlassian. Retrieved from https://www.atlassian.com/
Autodesk. (n.d.). Autodesk. Retrieved from https://www.autodesk.com/
Coursera. (n.d.). Coursera. Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org/
Dassault Systèmes. (n.d.). SolidWorks. Retrieved from https://www.solidworks.com/
edX. (n.d.). edX. Retrieved from https://www.edx.org/
GitHub. (n.d.). GitHub. Retrieved from https://github.com/
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). (n.d.). IEEE. Retrieved from https://www.ieee.org/
MathWorks. (n.d.). MATLAB. Retrieved from https://www.mathworks.com/
Microsoft. (n.d.). Microsoft 365 Project. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/project/project-management-software
Microsoft. (n.d.). Microsoft Teams. Retrieved from
OpenFOAM. (n.d.). OpenFOAM. Retrieved from https://openfoam.org/
Slack. (n.d.). Slack. Retrieved from https://slack.com/
Udemy. (n.d.). Udemy. Retrieved from https://www.udemy.com/
COMSOL. (n.d.). COMSOL Multiphysics. Retrieved from https://www.comsol.com/

Thursday, 10 April 2025

Stress Management Techniques for High-Performing Teams

Stress Management Techniques for High-Performing Teams
Stress in high-intensity situations is a constant companion of high-performing people, even worse when it’s compounded by team dynamics that constantly shift. We’re completely capable of managing acute stress, but when met with it constantly over long periods of time, it can cause negativity in our lives and in the lives of the team around us. In fact, the Mayo Clinic says that consistent levels of stress can lead to physical symptoms like muscle tension and headaches, mental symptoms like lack of motivation and memory problems, and behavioral symptoms like angry outbursts and avoidance. None of these symptoms are beneficial for the effective management of a team dynamic and can turn your high-performing team into a negatively performing one.
Here, we’ll discuss how to manage team stress in the workplace and a few stress management techniques to pull out when a team member needs some help.

How to Manage Team Stress in the Workplace

Stress management as a team is slightly different than standard stress management for one single person or even two. It starts with the early implementation of team dynamics and the standardization of certain practices in the workplace.
Learn to manage personal stress in the workplace- While we are discussing stress as a team, the person we need to focus on first is the individual. Learn techniques to manage personal stress so that it doesn’t spill out into the workplace and stop the flow of others. Lashing out or causing the team to miss deadlines because you lacked the motivation to complete projects will definitely lead to negative consequences for everybody.
Maintain transparency and open communication- Transparent communication is more than being honest. It’s also being vulnerable. In high-stress situations, being vulnerable is like taking down your shield and exposing everything, which is incredibly difficult for most people. You open yourself up for criticism, and telling people that you need help or that you don’t agree with the way things are done is difficult. However, keeping this kind of communication open is one of the best things a team can do because that’s where the real connections that are going to benefit the team are found.
Be respectful of others space- This refers to mental, physical, and emotional space. Maintaining those boundaries enables everybody to operate in a way they’re comfortable with, which encourages higher levels of productivity.
Encourage sufficient sleep- Sleep is a major factor in promoting healthy stress levels. Keep work at work, and when you lay down to sleep, try not to think about problems you’re facing. Sometimes, that’s where the biggest problems are solved, but prioritize sleep in order to stay emotionally and mentally attuned.
Support employee career growth- Certification exams are a big aspect of developing high-achieving team members, but the balance between work and exam review courses is very tricky. If not done well, the stress of both can be overwhelming for the individual and the team. Support employee career growth by giving adequate review time, enabling certain tasks to be delegated elsewhere, and allowing enough time for them to complete the review course and develop their career.
Set realistic expectations- By gauging goal outcomes and deadlines, you can get a general idea of what’s realistic for your team through experience. Set expectations that match the groups' capabilities. This will help manage team stress by helping them know that they can complete a task, even if it is a challenge.
Focus on positive reinforcement instead of negative consequences- Positivity in the workplace goes a long way. Negative consequences can impact the groups' morale and discourage them from doing the best work that they can. It’s a bit counterintuitive, but when you consider the opposite, you’ll see that highlighting the achievements of the team and its members will take the team a lot further.
Encourage time off and flexibility- Time off to decompress and recharge from the general stress of work enables the team to have a clear mind and an understanding of their own limits. By remaining flexible to the team’s ever-evolving demands of life on top of work, you’ll create a workplace where the group is happy to work when the work needs to get done because they know that they have adequate time to disengage. A similar phenomenon is described by Tian Doris in his YouTube video, The Most Overlooked Productivity Superpower.
Encourage monotasking- Multitasking can seem like a great idea sometimes, but the focus we gain when we do only one task at a time is just as good, if not better. Eliminating the necessity of doing four or five different things at once helps streamline the thought process. When we do multiple things at once, we’re also juggling different deadlines, different task lists, and processes, so it’s more like we’re working on ten to fifteen different tasks at once, which can lead to more stress than it’s worth.
Maintain healthy work-life boundaries- Leave work at work, and home at home. Sure, it’s okay to think about a work problem. In fact, sometimes home is exactly the right place to figure it out, and work is a fun place to talk about the achievements of our personal lives. However, when those boundary lines become too blurred, and work and life are suddenly everywhere, there’s no room to really focus on the task at hand (similar to multitasking), and stress levels rise because we can’t do what needs to be done.
Use progress as a measurement, rather than perfection- As creative creatures, we like the idea of something we’ve done to be perfect. However, things can be done sufficiently without being perfect. In fact, sometimes, that perfection is exactly what leads to those elevated stress levels. Instead, reach for an excess of what you need to get the work done, but don’t stress about perfection because, in reality, it’s unattainable and leads to burnout faster than satisfaction.

8 Stress Management Techniques

Stress in the workplace is easily manageable if everybody is considering their own lives and the ways they react to stress. Instead of forcing the rest of the group to deal with the stress of an individual, there are techniques that can be learned that can keep the individual team members responsible for their own emotional state.
Breathe- A breath is a break. Breathing techniques are the simplest way to take a moment to realign with your nervous system and do a small check-in with yourself. Taking a minute between tasks to do this simple task can help maintain a healthy stress level.
Stay mindful in the moment- Breathing exercises are an excellent way to stay mindful, but the important thing is to remind your body that you’re not actually in any danger (because stress is a physical response to perceived danger). Reminding yourself in other ways that you’re not in danger and grounding yourself in where you are is incredibly important.
Stay creative- Finding a creative outlet is an excellent way of maintaining stress levels. It’s an outpouring of what’s inside to the outside, and as you participate in this creative outlet (writing, art, sports), you’re giving the stress you have a place to go rather than staying pent up inside.
Get perspective- Talk to somebody outside of the situation. This person can give you another way to look at a problem and offer solutions without judgement. Sometimes, it’s the simple act of sharing the problem that helps eliminate the stress associated with it.
Sleep on it- Similarly to getting perspective, taking a break from an issue and giving it time to settle will give you a different way of thinking about the problem.
Perform an act of kindness- This one is one of the best. Doing things for others automatically takes us out of our own issues. When we focus on others, our problems seem far less complicated. This can be bringing a treat for the team to boost morale or tackling another person’s problem for them.
Laugh about it- Laughter really is the best medicine. Incorporating humor into stressful situations alleviates the physical pressure of seeing the problem as so serious and can help the group form a better relationship through the event.
Embrace mistakes- Fail forward. John C. Maxwell famously wrote, “Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward.” (Failing Forward) Failure is the foundation of progress and is entirely normal in high-achieving groups. That doesn’t mean that it’s always easy to fail. However, if you embrace those failures and mistakes, you’ll learn to do better next time.
Stress is something that every person tackles throughout their life. When working with teams, that stress is compounded by each individual’s personal way of handling things. Learning useful techniques for managing stress and implementing procedures in the workplace to help eliminate stress in the first place is one way to keep the team from cracking under pressure.
Invest in your team's well-being and productivity with a professional development course from School of PE!
About the Author: Anna Taylor

Anna Taylor is a freelance writer and avid researcher- a jack of all trades, but a master of none. She graduated from the University of Hawai'i with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts because she had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up. She has since found her love of Extended Reality and the possibilities it brings to the world, as well as gardening, cooking, and writing. Anna lives in Interior Alaska with her family.

Thursday, 3 April 2025

The Role of Recognition and Rewards in Team Motivation

The Role of Recognition and Rewards in Team Motivation
In recent years, the goal of employment has become less so on the financial side of earning potential and more on factors that benefit a person’s emotional fulfillment. There are several reasons for this, the first being that in 2020, people realized that employers could cut them from the job with little to no provocation or notice. This led to people working on personal development and other aspects of their lives that gave them more fulfillment than their jobs.
While money is obviously the primary motivator for having a job, it is no longer the only one and is certainly not the only reason for working together effectively as a team. Instead, it’s being replaced by internal motivation, rewards and recognition, and friendly competition because now the job has to compete with the dozens of other ways a person can sustain their quality of living. It also competes with the person’s desire to live a drama- and conflict-free life.
In this post, we’ll discuss the importance of recognition and rewards in the workplace, how it improves team motivation, and how to create a culture within a team that will motivate good workers to stay.

The Importance of Recognition and Rewards in the Workplace

Recognition in the workplace is a great way to get the most out of your employees and motivate teams to do better. The continual practice of recognizing people for their work is incredibly beneficial for the workplace environment. Here are some ways that it can help your teams operate more effectively together.
Increase Motivation- One of the top motivators of great work is recognition. When people know that their work is being seen and appreciated by others, it drives their desire to do good work and a lot of it. In fact, according to Great Place to Work (O.C. Tanner), survey responders collectively claimed recognition as the main motivator at 37%. This beat out autonomous work by 25% and more pay, which only seven percent of respondents wanted.
Show Appreciation- Appreciation comes in many forms, and by creating an open channel of communication between team members, you can teach them to appreciate each other in new ways. It goes beyond the big stuff, things like completing projects or finding major errors in documents. Even simple events like making a coffee run or saying “thank you” for completing everyday tasks can help the team show gratitude towards one another.
Encourage Friendly Competition- Competition in itself is a great motivator. It forces team members to put their best foot forward and do the job to the best of their ability, even if it’s just for the sake of bragging rights (or larger incentives, like gift cards, company swag, and even bonuses). Working competitively in an amicable way can help improve communication and team effectiveness by teaching them to work swiftly together.
Boost Employee Retention- One major benefit of rewards and recognition in the workplace is the retention of top employees. Employee turnover has increased significantly in the last few years. People are leaving jobs to find employment with companies whose overall goals align with their own personal beliefs and those who can provide them with better opportunities. Recognizing new and old employees for the work they’ve done well is the base level of incentivizing them to stay. That increased motivation to get things done because of positive recognition is also a powerful motivator to stay with a company that appreciates them.
Create a Positive Workplace- Balancing this all out is the benefit of a positive workplace. When people are motivated to stay, to get work done, and to communicate and compete with a good attitude, the resulting culture of productivity and positivity will show in the team’s everyday interactions.

Creating a Culture of Recognition in the Workplace

Recognizing team members for a job well done doesn’t happen overnight. Nor is it something that can be done when you feel like it. Instead, it takes intentional effort to develop a system that enables you to effortlessly recognize individuals for a job well done. Recognition can come in many forms, but whatever form it takes, these steps will help you create a culture of recognition in your workplace.
  1. Establish criteria for recognition. What are the specific job tasks or achievements within your workplace for which you want to recognize employees? Individual tasks are a powerful motivator on the day-to-day. However, the completion of a project may be a more beneficial goal with a higher reward threshold. The longer the project, the more likely a team member is to become unmotivated or discouraged. By setting a reward to go with the completion of a project, they have something to look forward to.
  2. Set your objectives. What is the purpose behind establishing a specific reward? If you already have a positive and productive workplace, the establishment of a system of recognition may seem redundant. There could be room for individual advancement or specific project achievements that require more incentives than others. Creating a goal in mind, such as a specific level of sales or customer conversions within a given timeframe, is an effective productivity driver.
  3. Choose awards that fit your environment (and ensure they’re sustainable). If the company is incapable of repeating company retreats or Christmas bonuses, then don’t set them as a reward. Instead, find the one that fits the culture of the company. Some companies only have a handful of employees, and retreats could be as simple as a short camping trip to a local site, which is maintainable. In terms of individual recognition on a daily basis, look for opportunities to call out a job well done.
  4. Communicate. Communication is key in team motivation. Effective communication is not boastful or demeaning. Instead, it’s clear, concise, and offers ways to advance instead of detracting from an experience. It’s a powerful motivator when everybody understands their purpose within the team, as well as defines their needs and what they need help with.
  5. Celebrate successes. Big goals are reached by small steps taken every day. Celebrate the little milestones in order to maintain momentum. The completion of individual daily tasks can sometimes be rewarding enough.
  6. Monitor the progress of your rewards and recognition program. Just like any goal, the goal of recognizing employees for their work should be a SMART one, which equates to a measurable goal that can be tracked and reached within a given time frame. To understand the benefits of this recognition, monitoring the level of happiness, motivation, and any other factor is key to knowing if it’s really making an improvement to the team.
  7. Encourage employee feedback to understand the impact. Using surveys, personal reviews, and one-on-one conversations, you can gain valuable understanding from those who should be most impacted by employee recognition. By getting this feedback, improvements can be made to the team culture as a whole.

What does recognition in the workplace look like?

Recognition in the workplace can take many different forms that depend heavily on the type of work, the number of people in the company or team, and the work environment as a whole. For instance:
Incentive programs can look completely different from company to company. They can take the form of gift cards offered at the end of the month or yearly company-wide retreats.
Professional development opportunities are another form of incentivizing employees. Professional development can help the company gain more qualified employees and can be a powerful motivator for competitive or high-achieving individuals.
Awards based on desirable qualities is a less expensive way of recognizing individuals on a team for the work they’ve done. With categories like Outstanding Customer Service, Innovator Award, and Most Reliable, you can capitalize on a person’s desire to be recognized by others in a more formal environment where their achievements are recognized by the team.
Consistent recognition of improvement is the most underrated form of recognizing a team member’s hard work. This is a hard skill to learn, but being able to vocalize your impression of a person’s work in a positive way as soon as you see it can be one of the biggest game changers in your team’s motivation.
Recognition can come in many forms, and it plays a powerful role in motivating teams to do better. It looks different for every company, every team, and every individual, and taking steps to evaluate your personal situation and creating a culture of recognition within the workplace will help the team be more productive and show more employee loyalty, enabling you to retain top performers.
Enhance your leadership skills and drive team motivation through professional development. Enroll in School of PE's courses to advance your career and become a recognized leader. Start your learning journey today!
About the Author: Anna Taylor

Anna Taylor is a freelance writer and avid researcher- a jack of all trades, but a master of none. She graduated from the University of Hawai'i with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts because she had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up. She has since found her love of Extended Reality and the possibilities it brings to the world, as well as gardening, cooking, and writing. Anna lives in Interior Alaska with her family.

Thursday, 27 March 2025

Exam Review Courses for Professional Certifications: A Path to Advancement

Exam Review Courses for Professional Certifications: A Path to Advancement
The path to professional advancement is a long one. The main desire within any career field is to maintain a long-term relationship with the field you’re in: to find a fulfilling path toward retirement that can help develop your skills along the way. Over the course of twenty to forty years, you’ll sit in seminars, webinars, classes, and every variation of the learning environment with the hope that it will advance your career, leading to better time distribution, better pay, and more opportunities to showcase your skills. Certification exams are an important step on the path to advancement, and through exam review courses, you’ll be given the knowledge and experience necessary to pass these validation exams. Here, we’ll discuss the benefits of becoming professionally certified within your field, highly desired certifications, and how to choose the right exam review courses for you.

Benefits of Becoming Professionally Certified

Certifications are a worthwhile investment into a person’s present and future career, offering beneficial opportunities for growth and advancement. Here are a few of the benefits that come as a result of becoming professionally certified.
Proof of skill mastery- There are two main paths to certification. The certification itself isn’t supposed to impart more information. Instead, it’s a validation of knowledge and skill for both the certification seeker and any future employer. The paths to certification can come in the form of experience or in the form of book learning at institutions. Usually, it’s a mix of both. Either way, the validation of knowledge is proof to anybody needing to know.
Increases your skill level- While certifications offer proof of skill mastery, exam review courses come with a comprehensive understanding of facts, processes, materials, and everything a person needs to know within their field. As they work through the exam review course, there is an inevitable increase in understanding of information. Some review courses also require a practical assignment that helps grow the student’s experience as well, effectively increasing their skill level along the way.
Competitive advantage over peers- Not only does a professional certification prove something to you as the exam taker, but it also provides proof to an employer that they’re hiring (or maintaining) somebody who knows what they’re doing and can effectively handle the tasks given. This gives the certified professional an advantage over other candidates in the field who may have the knowledge to do the job effectively but don’t have the desired validation of knowledge.
Higher earning potential- The more a person knows, the more valuable they become. Of course, the question in the end is, valuable to who? Regardless, with this validation of skill, there comes a much higher threshold for earning potential. For example, Project Management Professional (PMP) certified workers reported median salaries that were 25% higher than those who were not certified.
Potential tuition and certification reimbursement when you’ve made yourself more valuable to the company- Most companies right now have realized the benefits of having certified professionals and also paying for some further professional development. As a result, they’re willing to either cover some of the money used for certification or reimburse a portion. Other companies have professional certification opportunities built directly into their business model, and becoming certified in your field comes as a result of employment there anyway. Either way, it pays to be certified.

Highly Desired Professional Certifications

Certifications with crossover potential are certifications that prove competency in a variety of fields that can be moved from one industry to another. For example, they’re not specific to any one niche like nursing or engineering certifications. Instead, these are areas in which several industries can benefit from the knowledge of that professional.
Project Management Professional- This is an industry-recognized certification for project managers. It demonstrates that the candidate has the education, skill, and experience necessary to lead and direct projects across various industries. Project managers initiate and design the project at large and delegate the individual tasks to a team of people with diverse skill sets that allow the team to generate ideas and complete the project in a unique way.
Human Resources Certification- Human resources professionals are responsible for recruiting and managing employee interactions, as well as making and executing company policies. They’re also responsible for legal work within the company. Nearly every large company has a human resources department in need of qualified professionals. Certifications in HR prove that a person knows and understands their responsibilities and can execute tasks efficiently.
Leadership and Management Certifications- Leadership is a 21st-century skill that is highly sought after in today’s business market. It takes a lot to be a good leader: humility, intuition, and the ability to motivate a team and drive them towards success individually and collectively. Managing a group of people and their projects takes qualities that many people possess, and everybody can learn. Leadership certifications prove that a person has these desired qualities and can drive success for the company.
Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP)- A CPSP is one of the most recognized transferrable certifications. The focus of the certification is to teach new habits that drive successful outcomes and help organizations reach their goals. A CPSP not only works toward selling company products to customers. They also work towards developing relationships with these customers in a way that creates a bond with the company as well. Having a CPSP as a team member is a valuable resource.
Foreign Language Certifications- Becoming certified in foreign languages allows a company to diversify its target demographic into different cultures. An employee with language fluency is a valuable team member already. However, by taking the extra step to certify them and gain this credential for the employee, the company gains the credential along with them. This allows them to engage with customers in their native language and become an authority in their niche.
Business Analyst- A business analyst takes a deep look at every facet of organizational structure to identify their needs and define better business solutions for growth. They facilitate interactions between a company, its stakeholders, and a team ready to create solutions. Business analyst certifications acknowledge the person as competent, knowledgeable, and successful within their role.

How to Find the Right Certification Prep Courses for You

Certification is an important step in advancing your career, whether you plan on staying with your current company or transferring to another in the future. Participating in exam review courses is a beneficial step in passing certification exams, and it’s important to choose the right one for you.
Consider your professional goals- Depending on your goals, your exam prep course will look different than others. If you’re trying to take a fast-track approach to career advancement, then finding a self-paced course and treating it like a second job might be a great option. Conversely, if speed isn’t necessary, then using a course that employs the help of field professionals at a slower pace would be better.
Talk to your employer and other industry professionals- Oftentimes, your employer will have solid advice to give towards your advancement opportunities. They may also offer tuition reimbursement for your review course in exchange for company loyalty.
Check with your local schools- If a local school or university has the course you’re looking for, this is an excellent option to choose from. You’ll be able to network in person on occasion and develop relationships with industry professionals within your area.
Understand your time management skills- Do you have the ability to compartmentalize your responsibilities and relegate them to specific time slots? No? Perhaps a guided exam review course is a better option. The benefit of these is that the responsibility of deciding when to work on a given day is taken off your shoulders, and you only have to follow along with the instructor and complete assignments as they come.
Find one that fits your lifestyle- Are you active with small pockets of time in your day? Or do you have lots of familial responsibilities that can’t be negotiated? Do you have a loud family and an inability to focus with any amount of noise? An in-person review may be what you need to complete your course successfully and pass the certification exam.
Whether your plans are to stay with your current company or transfer to another field altogether, the path to career advancement is not linear. There is no one right answer nor one direct path you can take. Determining what’s best for your lifestyle and your career goals is the first step in gaining professional certifications. Finding the right exam review course is then next. Find one that works for you and your lifestyle and one that enables you to reach your goals, whatever they are.
Increase your value to your employer and open doors to new opportunities with a professional certification. School of PE's comprehensive review courses are designed to help you succeed. Gain the knowledge and credentials that employers seek by enrolling in a course today!
About the Author: Anna Taylor

Anna Taylor is a freelance writer and avid researcher- a jack of all trades, but a master of none. She graduated from the University of Hawai'i with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts because she had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up. She has since found her love of Extended Reality and the possibilities it brings to the world, as well as gardening, cooking, and writing. Anna lives in Interior Alaska with her family.