Engineering Corporate Training Classes Boost Business Profitability, Efficiency

Career development through education is often thought to be difficult for working professionals with a full-time 9-5 job. Whether a working professional wishes to take college classes or a discipline-specific exam review course, providing professional training and development opportunities significantly helps corporations. Many education companies that provide professional training to corporations have a predetermined corporate discount. 

When evaluating why a company should provide training and development opportunities to their employees, profitability is one reason that particularly stands out. In fact, "companies that offer comprehensive training programs have 218% higher income per employee than companies without formalized training." ⁱ 

Some reasons why employee development opportunities provide a profitability boost is because corporate training classes improves efficiency, creates trust, and improves employee retention. Read more below:

Table of Contents

1. Improves Efficiency

2. Creates Trust

3. Improves Employee Retention

1. Improves Efficiency

Improving organizational efficiency is one of the biggest benefits employers provide training and development opportunities to their employees to impact profitability. When employees learn new skills, they may become work harder, therefore getting more, quality work completed in a set amount of time. "For the organization, training and development leads to improve profitability while cultivating more positive attitudes toward profit orientation." ⁱⁱ 

2. Creates Trust 

Employees love when companies provide extra benefits, such as company outings or career development opportunities. By offering different perks to employees, companies can build a more trusting management-employee relationship, which therefore increases overall employee morale and decreases turnover. According to a LinkedIn article, "[E]xtra fringe benefits can improve morale. [Corporate training opportunities] create an atmosphere of appreciation, kindness and caring for employees." ⁱⁱⁱ 

3. Improves Employee Retention 

Working professionals often wish to advance into more challenging job roles the longer they work for a company, and with the correct training tools, they can typically progress into higher positions at a desirable rate. Employees are more likely to stay with a company when they are periodically promoted. Job turnover is expensive, so retaining quality employees is always beneficial to a company. 

References

i Gutierrez, K. (n.d.). Mind-blowing Statistics that Prove the Value of Employee Training and Development. Retrieved from https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/ statistics-value-of -employee-training-and-development 

ii Tahir, Neelam & Khan Yousafzai, Israr & Shahid Jan, Dr & Hashim, Muhammad. (2014). The Impact of Training and Development on Employees Performance and Productivity A case study of United Bank Limited Peshawar City, KPK, Pakistan. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 4. 10.6007/IJARBSS/v4-i4/756. 

iii Lunch and Learn Benefits. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lunch-learn-benefits-wendy-rose/

2018 Engineer Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Engineers

The holidays are upon us, and it's time to get into the holiday spirit! If you are in need of gift ideas for an engineer in your life, we have some ideas for you! Who knows, maybe you will put one of these items on your Christmas list!Posture Corrector

Do you know an engineer whose posture sometimes isn't up-to-par? Sitting in the office for long periods of time can have detrimental effects on posture. Lumo Lift is a great solution for those who slouch due to sitting for a long time. 

Portable Espresso Maker

Engineering sometimes requires long days at both the office and the job site. Sounds tiring, right? A great gift for an engineer would be a portable espresso maker. This espresso maker can continually give energy boosts all day long. 

PDH Courses

Give the gift of education by signing up the engineer in your life for a PDH course. Engineers need to renew their licenses in many states, so signing them up for some continuing education classes will take some of their stress away! PDH courses are great gifts for civil engineers, electrical engineers, and even mechanical engineers!

Wireless Cell Phone Chargers

In today's day and age, everyone is extremely busy (especially engineers) and may end up running out of cell phone battery juice. Nobody wants to carry around a charging cable, so wireless chargers are perfect. From solar chargers to charging phone cases, convenience is a necessity in an engineer's life.

3D Printer

Owning a personal 3D Printer may seem impossible do to the cost, but FlashForge is selling a 3D Printer that is economically priced. This 3D printer works with Wi-FE, USB cables, flash drives, and even has Cloud capability.

School of PE Provides Extra Features to Help Students Who Have Been Out of School for a While for FE, PE Exams

As an NCEES exam prep provider, School of PE assists students of all ages - ranging from undergraduate students to professionals who have been out of School for a while. We strive to help every student feel confidently prepared for their chosen exam. 

If you've been out of school for a while, there might be common engineering concepts that are not fresh in your mind and you may be wondering how to prepare for an NCEES exam. We hear this concern a lot and have created special features for students who may need a little refresher before diving into our main review course. These features include our Free Basic Engineering Math and Free Calculator training.

Free Basic Engineering Math

Let's face it, math is essential for engineers during day-to-day routines. If you are preparing for an NCEES exam, it is extremely important that you fully understand basic engineering math. If you have been out of school for a while and need to take an NCEES exam soon, it may be a good idea to have a refresher on engineering mathematics. 

School of PE offers a Free Basic Engineering Math video to help students refresh their basic math skills so that they can have a solid understanding of engineering mathematics. When you register for an exam review course with School of PE, you will receive a three-hour basic math review video. We also provide supplemental materials for you to download and print. These documents are meant to use to take notes with. If you are taking a pencil and paper exam, such as the PE Civil exam, you can bind these notes and bring them into the exam to use as a reference.

Free Calculator Training

When taking an FE, PE, SE, or Surveying exam, understanding your calculator is very important. Not only is it important to get the correct answers but knowing how to properly use your calculator can help you save valuable time during the exam. 

NCEES has a specific list of approved calculators that may be used on the exam. Many of these calculators have similar functions, but the most popular calculator (and the best calculator for the FE and PE exam, in our opinion) is the Casio FX-115 model. We've heard back from our students and our video was extremely helpful for people who have been out of school for a while and need a refresher on engineering calculator functions. 

Passing an NCEES exam is a big deal, no matter how long you've been out of school for. We, at School of PE, are dedicated in helping every student pass their exams. Sign up for a review course today!

PE Fire Protection Exam and Industry Trends

It's autumn once again, which means that the leaves are drying out, making wild fires more prominent. When thinking about fires, engineers are often looked over. When structures are designed, fire safety is a very important factor to put into consideration. Pursuing a career in fire protection engineering is very rewarding, as the industry is continuously growing and there are many jobs available.

To become licensed as a fire protection engineer, one must take and pass the PE Fire Protection exam. Check out some fire protection industry and exam statistics in the infographic below:

References

Health and Safety Engineers. Retrieved from 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ architecture-and-engineering/health-and-safety-engineers.htm#tab-1

National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State. Retrieved from https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/ intelligence/2017_statssumm/fires_acres17.pdf

Statistical reports on the U.S. fire problem. Retrieved from

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/ statistics/reports/

Everything to Know about FE CBT Exams: Pass Rates, Exam Specs, and More

So, you're thinking about taking the FE exam? Great! You are on the first step of becoming a Professional Engineer. The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE, previously known as EIT) exam "is designed for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET- accredited program," according to the NCEES. 

Since the FE exam is the first exam that an engineer needs to become licensed, it may seem a bit daunting. You may stare at the exam specifications for hours wondering how you can possibly review all of the course topics, and you may eventually decide to sign up for an FE exam prep course with high pass rates. 

No matter what studying strategy you decide to stick to, it is always important to have a good understanding of the exam itself. We've broken down some must-know details about the exam below: 

General Stats 

Number of Questions: 110 

Duration: 6 Hours 

Type of Exam: Computer 

Disciplines to Choose From: Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, Mechanical, Other (General)

Location: Pearson VUE testing centers (must be NCEES-approved) 

Exam Specifications 

Each FE exam has separate exam specifications. Each exam specification outlines how the exam is laid out by number of questions per topic. All FE exams have sections dedicated to mathematics and engineering economics, but the other topics in each exam are discipline specific. Check out the exam specs below:

• FE Chemical
• FE Civil
• FE Electrical
• FE Environmental
• FE Industrial
• FE Mechanical
• FE Other

Pass RatesCheck out the national pass rates for all seven FE exams below. If the national pass rates worry you, School of PE's pass rates have been added, as well. Taking a review course can significantly increase the chances of a passing score.

Exam	National Pass Rate	School of PE Pass Rate
FE Chemical	74%	88%
FE Civil	69%	90%
FE Electrical	71%	91%
FE Environmental	76%	88%
FE Industrial	61%	86%
FE Mechanical	77%	90%
FE Other	74%	87%

Pros of Wind Energy: Wind Turbine Statistics

Renewable energy is trendy, and for good reason. Throughout the past few years, there has been a big push to make the world cleaner. Consumers are purchasing more eco-friendly vehicles, recycling more often, and using more natural cleaning products. 

When it comes to saving energy, wind turbines can help immensely. Did you know the average efficiency of a wind turbine creates enough energy for 500 homes? Check out some more wind turbine statistics in the infographic below. Although they may be loud, there are many pros of wind energy thanks to environmental engineering!

References

How powerful is wind energy? Retrieved from https://www.ecotechinstitute.com/ ecotech-news/how-powerful -is-wind-energy

Johnston, A. Wind Energy Economic Benefits Highlighted In AWEA Infographic. Retrieved from https://cleantechnica.com/ 2014/08/31/wind- energy-economic-benefits-infographic/ 

Continuing Education for Engineers: PDH State Board Requirements

For many state boards, engineer continuing education deadlines are approaching. Engineers in West Virginia, Vermont, and Iowa, for example, have continuing education deadlines at the end of December of this year. 

Currently, 42 out of the 50 state boards require some sort of continuing education. The continuing education requirements can include activities such as attending engineering PDH webinars, taking an online PDH course, or attending an engineering conference. When engineers participate in these continuing education activities, they can earn Professional Development Hour (PDH) credits. The amount of PDH credits needed to renew a professional license varies from state to state, but generally, states require an engineer to earn approximately 15 PDH credits annually for renewal. 

Check out the infographic to learn more about state board PDH requirements:

"Which FE Exam Should I Take?": Taking the FE Other Disciplines Exam in Undergraduate School

When I was a kid, I remember going to my family reunion every summer and getting asked TONS of questions about what I wanted to do with my life - more specifically, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" In the 4th grade, I wanted to be a teacher. But after that, I changed my mind practically every year. 

After going to college, transferring colleges, and changing my major, I finally decided what I wanted to do with my professional career. Since I'm writing this article now, you can probably guess that I have a background in journalism. And, if you're reading this, I can assume you are striving to become a professional engineer and are interested in learning about the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. 

I get it - choosing what to do with the rest of your life at 18 years old can be difficult, and somewhat impossible at times. Luckily, since you are interested in engineering, you have a little more time than other fields to decide what discipline to go into. If you are looking to take the FE exam, there are seven disciplines you may choose from:

• FE Chemical
• FE Civil
• FE Electrical and Computer
• FE Environmental
• FE Industrial and Systems
• FE Mechanical
• FE Other (General)

If you are unsure of which FE Exam to take, check out the FE Other (General) exam. This exam is PERFECT for those who do not know which specialty they want to go into. While the other six exams have very topic-specific exam specifications, the FE Other (General) exam combines topics from the other disciplines. You can look at the FE Other (General) exam specifications here.

When deciding which FE exam to take, it is also a great idea to evaluate the pass rates for an exam. Check out a breakdown of FE pass rates below: 

Overall Pass Rates

Exam*	Pass Rate
FE Chemical	74%
FE Civil	69%
FE Electrical and Computer	71%
FE Environmental	76%
FE Industrial and Systems	61%
FE Mechanical	77%
FE Other Disciplines	74%

FE Other Exam Breakdown of Undergraduate Degree*

Program*	Pass Rate
Architectural	66%
Civil	68%
Engineering Science	76%
Materials	76%
Mechanical	64%
Structural	100%

*As per NCEES 

*Only features examples of degrees that NCEES originally reported 

If looking at the pass rates makes you nervous, taking an FE exam prep review course can significantly increase your chance of passing the FE exam of your choosing. 

The FE Other (General) exam is great for those who are unsure of which engineering discipline they want to focus their career on. Apart from comparing exam specifications and pass rates for the different FE exams, it is always a great idea to call your state board and ask for advice. Happy studying!

Emerging Engineering Technology: Robots in the Construction Engineering Industry

It's almost 2019: the year that the movie Blade Runner was set in. If you've seen Blade Runner (or read the book it's based off of, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), it's interesting to think about how past decades envisioned the 21^st century. In the movie, synthetic robot humans were created to do labor in off-world colonies for the Tyrell Corporation. 

Although we aren't building robotic humans now, we are using robotics to help do certain tasks. Robots are becoming relatively popular in the construction engineering industry. Check out how robots are helping below: 

Table of Contents

1. Brick-Laying

2. Surveying Land

3. Arc Welding

1. Brick-Laying 

As the robotics industry continually advances, those in the construction industry can take a breather, as robots are beginning to take over time-consuming repetitive tasks such as brick-laying. Of course, the robots would need supervision to make sure nothing goes wrong, but this advancement of technology is a big step forward for the construction industry.ⁱ 

2. Surveying Land 

What is that in the sky? Is it a bird? A plane? Neither! It's a drone! Drones have emerged throughout the past few years as not only a leisure device but also have made their way into engineering and surveying projects. Drones can be used to survey a construction site, send images of nearly inaccessible points on a structure, and improve overall job-site safety.ⁱⁱ 

3. Arc Welding 

Japan always seems to be in the lead of other countries when it comes to technological advances. A construction company in Japan is making their welding processes much quicker and efficient by using robots for arc welding structural steel. According to Robotics Online, "Steel I-beams are pre-cut by robots and brought to the job site when required with relatively little welding necessary. Most welding is performed by the robot in the factory, lending the building process to lean, Just-in-Time manufacturing."ⁱⁱⁱ 

With this exciting engineering technology emerging, now is a great time to go into the civil engineering field. To make the process of becoming a licensed civil engineer as smooth and as stress free as possible, School of PE offers an 84-hour PE Civil exam review course, which covers both the breadth and depth portions of the exam. Past PE Civil students have had great success with School of PE, as 90% of PE Civil students passed their exam in October 2017. 

References 

i. 10 Construction Trends Shaping the Industry in 2016 and Beyond. 

Retrieved from https:// www.forconstructionpros.com / business/article/12162200/10 construction-trends-shaping the-industry-in-2016-and-beyond 

ii. Dillow, C. The Construction Industry Is in Love with Drones. 

Retrieved from https://fortune.com/2016/09/13/commercial-drone-construction-industry/

iii. Brumson, B. (n.d.). Construction Robots and Constructing a Robotics Community. 

Retrieved from https://www.robotics.org/content-detail.cfm/Industrial-Robotics-Industry-Insights/Construction-Robots-and-Constructing-a-Robotics-Community/content_id/630

Which Exam Should You Take? PE Civil: Water Resources and Environmental vs PE Environmental

If you are interested in environmental engineering and want to become professionally licensed, you may be wondering which PE exam to take. NCEES offers two different environmental exams for professional licensing: PE Civil with a Water Resources and Environmental Depth, and PE Environmental. 

Deciding which exam to take may seem overwhelming, but there are a few strategies you can follow to select the exam that best suits you and your professional goals. To begin the comparison, simply look at NCEES' exam specifications for both exams:

PE Civil Exam Breadth Topics Project Planning

1. Means and Methods
2. Soil Mechanics
3. Structural Mechanics
4. Hydraulics and Hydrology
5. Geometrics
6. Materials
7. Site Development

PE Civil Exam Depth Topics

1. Analysis and Design
2. Hydraulics- Closed Circuits
3. Hydraulics- Open Channel
4. Hydrology
5. Groundwater and Wells
6. Wastewater Collection and Treatment
7. Water Quality
8. Drinking Water Distribution and Treatment
9. Engineering Economics Analysis

PE Environmental Exam Topics

1. Water
2. Air
3. Solid and Hazardous Waste
4. Site Assessment and Remediation
5. Environmental Health and Safety
6. Associated Engineering Principles

When evaluating each exam's specifications, you will notice that there are many more topics on the PE Civil: Water Resources and Environmental Exam and less on the PE Environmental exam. The PE Environmental exam is much broader in its topics, so if you are aiming to take the PE Environmental exam, make sure to look into each subtopic to get a better understanding of what the exam will present. The PE Civil exam has a number of subtopics under each topic, as well. A good strategy is to pick the exam that has the most topics that you are comfortable with. Of course, keep your career goals in mind when looking at the NCEES exam specifications.

Another thing to put into consideration when picking your exam is your state board's regulations. Some states may stamp your license with a general PE stamp, as others will specify which engineering discipline you are licensed under. Always make sure to contact your state board before signing up for a specific exam.

The History and Evolution of Engineering Technology: Ancient Era to Modern Day Technology

When one thinks of engineering, they most likely think of Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or another division of engineering. Did you know that engineers have been around since the Ancient Era (c 2600 B.C)? Although they may have not been categorized specifically as engineers, many structures and inventions were strategically planned out and created. 

Throughout the years, engineers have been constantly evolving along with the technology that they use in their work. Check out how engineering has changed from the Ancient Era to modern Day in the History of Engineering infographic below:

Upcoming PDH Online Engineering Webinar: A Quick Dive Into Risk Management

With many state board Continuing Education deadlines approaching at the end of this year, many engineers are registering for PDH webinars and online courses in order to meet their state board's requirements. 

To help engineers in the process, School of PE has scheduled a number of interactive webinars for the next two months. One of those webinars is titled "A Quick Dive into Risk Management," and will be taught by Mr. Miller.

Mr. Miller has over 20 years of successful sales and management experience. He has taught Project Management courses for several years and has developed several Project Management courses. Mr. Miller has a proven track record of successfully coaching students in project management. 

For those who are interested in signing up for this webinar, I sat down with Mr. Miller to discuss the upcoming webinar session.

Can you explain what risk management is exactly? 

Simply put, Risk Management is the process of identifying potential risks (unexpected events), evaluating the identified risks, and prioritizing them. 

How does Risk Management tie into Project Management? 

When you are working on projects, you often have risks, such as unexpected events. An example of this would be falling behind on a project due to unforeseen weather. A project manager's work should not focus on dealing with problem, but it should rather focus on preventing them. 

Why would a webinar on risk management benefit engineers? 

People take risks every day. Everyone who gets out of bed and drives to work is taking a risk. Engineers work on projects and with those projects, there are risks. Attending a webinar on Risk Management can help engineers better understand how to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks on a project. 

After taking the risk management webinar, what are a few main takeaways for students? 

Those who attend a webinar on risk management should walk away knowing that not all risks are bad and there are both positive and negative risk response strategies for dealing with risk.

Survival Guide 101: Preparing for the FE Exam During Senior Year of Undergrad

As an exam review course provider, we often get asked about the best time to take the FE exam. Our answer: during senior year of college. That may seem daunting, as many undergraduate seniors in college are extremely busy with final projects and internships. We get it: being an undergraduate student is stressful. 

Since undergraduates, especially engineer students, are so busy, why would we recommend taking the FE exam during a student's senior year of college? The main advantage college students have when taking the FE exam is that the information is very fresh in their minds. Many topics on the FE exam are based on concepts learned in undergraduate engineering classes. 

If you are planning on taking the FE exam during your senior year of undergrad and are stressed about balancing your course load and study schedule, check out some FE exam tips and strategies to ease as much stress as possible below:

Table of Contents

1. Create a Schedule

2. Review the FE Reference Handbook in Your Free Time

3. Watch Review Videos On-The-Go

1. Create a Schedule 

Determine when you are going to work on your school work and when you are going to study for the FE exam. Hopefully, many of your undergrad engineering courses will cover similar topics that are on the FE exam specifications, so this should take some stress off of your shoulders. Either way, try to block out two to three hours a day to specifically dedicate to the FE exam and leave the rest of your time for class work. If you begin preparing 3 months before the FE exam, you will have more than enough time to prepare. 

2. Review the FE Reference Handbook in Your Free Time 

The FE Reference Handbook is the only reference material you can use during the FE exam. You can download a free copy from MyNCEES. It is very important to have a good understanding of this handbook so you won't spend too much time during the exam trying to find specific formulas, charts, or tables. During lunch or between classes, flip through the manual to make sure you are familiar with its content and layout. 

3. Watch Review Videos On-The-Go 

Whether you are riding a campus bus or running on a treadmill at the gym, watching interactive FE exam prep course videos are the perfect tool to study with. You can watch videos on your phone, but don't forget to bring a pair of headphones!

Ondemand: The Perfect PE Exam Review Course Format for Busy Professionals

The October 2018 exam has come and gone, and now School of PE is striving to prepare PE students for the Spring 2019 exam. From PE Civil or PE Mechanical to PE Electrical or PE Environmental, School of PE provides a wide variety of PE exam review courses. If you are considering taking the PE exam, you may be wondering when you should begin studying. 

Of course, the length of time it takes for a person to grasp all of the material the PE exam goes over may differ, as some may struggle more than others, but many PE exam applicants have reported spending approximately 200 to 300 hours preparing for NCEES exams, which includes attending exam review courses, reading supplemental material, and taking practice exams. 

If you have a really busy schedule and feel that you need more time than others to prepare for the exam or just want to get started right away, School of PE offers an Ondemand format. This format is perfect for:

1. Working professionals
2. College students 
3. Parents 
4. Anyone with a hectic schedule

Our Ondemand format is the most flexible format, as it provides immediate access after registration and allows you to study at your own pace. Since registration for the Spring 2019 session is open, you can sign up today and begin studying right away! It's that easy! 

Don't put off studying for the PE exam. Nothing is worse than cramming for a big licensure exam just weeks before the exam.

Maintaining Your PE License After Passing the PE Exam

You studied for months, and now you have finally taken the PE exam. You have spent so much time thinking about the exam, but what happens after you actually pass the PE exam? Once you have earned your professional engineering license and you can finally call yourself an engineer, it's important that you understand how to maintain your PE license.

Most states have engineering continuing education requirements. In fact, 42 states do. By taking online engineering continuing education courses, participating in an engineering continuing education webinar, or attending engineering conferences, engineers earn professional development hours (PDHs), which they need in order to renew and maintain their active PE license.

Each state has different requirements for the number of PDHs engineers need to complete and how often engineers must renew their PE license. While some states require an annual renewal, others require a biennial or even triennial renewal.

Whether your state requires 15 PDHs annually like Texas does or 36 PDHs for a triennial renewal like New York does, it is important to understand what your state's exact specifications are for PE license renewal. For instance, of the 18 PDHs that Florida requires for its biennial renewal, four of the PDHs must correlate to the engineer's specific area of practice, one PDH must relate to the state's laws and rules of professional engineers, and one PDH must relate to the state's professional ethics.

You've worked hard to earn a PE license, and you shouldn't have to stress about maintaining that license. Understand what your engineering state licensing board requires of you, and start working on earning your engineering PDHs.

Registration is Open: Start Studying Now for the April PE Exam

The October PE exam was held last week, which means we are less than six months away from the April PE exam. Although six months may seem like a lot of time right now, it's not a good idea to put off studying for the PE exam. 

To avoid panicking in March, it's best to start studying now so that you can spend quality time working on practice problems, taking practice exams, and figuring out which subjects you will need to spend more time reviewing. 

Once you have an idea of which topics you need to focus on, create a study schedule. If you know that you will be busy during the holidays but will have a lot of free time in February, make sure your study schedule reflects that. However, even during your busiest weeks, set some time aside for reviewing topics and practicing problems. 

Do you plan on registering for a PE exam review course? Do your research now to determine the learning format you want and when you need to sign up. 

School of PE opened its spring 2019 registration on October 26 for Onsite, Live Online, and Ondemand courses. If you want to start preparing for the April PE exam right away, we offer the following Ondemand review courses: PE Architectural, PE Civil, PE Electrical, PE Industrial and Systems, and PE Mechanical. 

With our bundle option, you can even pay for the Ondemand course and later add the Live Online or Onsite class for only $300. This allows our students to start studying on their own now and then participate in a structured class that is scheduled closer to the date of the NCEES PE exam. This offer expires, so be sure to check out our website for more details. 

Whether you decide to try studying on your own or you want to sign up for a review course, we suggest making a plan now and start putting that plan into action. By beginning the studying process sooner rather than later, you'll be thanking yourself when you aren't forced to cram a hundred hours of studying into the two weeks before the PE exam.

Chemical Engineering: PE Exam Trends and Job Stats

Thinking about becoming a chemical engineer? To become a licensed chemical engineer, you would need to pass both the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Chemical exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Chemical exam. To find out the median chemical engineering salary as well as the job outlook for chemical engineers, check out the PE Chemical exam trends and job statistics shown below:

Tips for Passing the FE Exam After Being Out of School

Preparing for and taking the FE exam can seem like a daunting task, but thinking about taking the FE exam after being out of school for several years or more can be quite intimidating. Although it may have been awhile since you have had to study for exams and you may not remember all of the engineering information you learned while in college, don't give up on your dream of becoming a professional licensed engineer. Our list of FE exam tips to help those who have been out of engineering school for a while should get you started on the right track to prepare for and pass a NCEES FE exam. 

Table of Contents

1. Create a Study Schedule

2. Use the FE Reference Handbook

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

4. Take a FE Exam Prep Course

1. Create a Study Schedule 

Before you start studying, you need to come up with a plan. Create a schedule of how long you want to spend studying each day and when you plan to review certain topics. When you are planning the specific topics you are going to review, be sure to look at the exam specifications for your FE exam, which can be found on NCEES' website. 

2. Use the FE Reference Handbook 

The FE Reference Handbook is the only reference material that can be used during the FE exam, so make sure you are familiar with it and that you are practicing with the most up-to-date version. You can download the reference handbook for free from NCEES' website.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice 

Practice as many problems as you can when you are preparing for the FE exam. Solving problems will help you understand which topics you have mastered and which ones you need to spend more time reviewing. It's also important to practice problems that are similar to the style of questions that can be found on the FE exam, which is a computer-based test (CBT). Remember, CBTs include multiple-choice questions as well as alternative item types, such as multiple correct, point and click, drag and drop, and fill in the blank. 

4. Take a FE Exam Prep Course 

If you feel like you need additional assistance passing the FE exam, a review course is a great way to prepare. School of PE offers FE Chemical, FE Civil, FE Electrical, FE Environmental, FE Industrial and Systems, FE Mechanical, and FE Other Disciplines (General) exam review courses. These review courses will give you a refresher of the main topics that will appear on the exam and will provide you with workshop sessions that will focus on solving problems. School of PE's FE exam review courses include access to a Question Bank, which will provide you with even more problems to test your knowledge.

Week Before the PE Exam: Last-Minute PE Exam Tips

The October PE exam is now officially a week away. You've prepared, practiced, and now it's time to pass! If you've taken one of our PE exam review courses, we're confident that you're prepared. Since there are only seven days left before the big day, we want to make sure exam day goes as smoothly and as stress-free as possible. Check out our last-minute preparation strategies below:

Table of Contents

1. Read NCEES' Exam-Day Policies

2. Prepare Your Notes

3. Pack Snacks

4. Skim Through Your Notes

5. Practice Problems

6. Get Enough Sleep

1. Read NCEES' Exam-Day Policies

Before going to the exam site, make sure you read NCEES' exam-day policies. Don't be that person who goes to the exam and forgets to bring an ID. Make sure you have an NCEES-approved calculator (and that you know how to use it), understand which types of reference materials you may bring, and follow the electronic devices policy.  

2. Prepare Your Notes

As mentioned above, make sure to understand which types of reference materials you may bring to the exam. For PE exams, your reference materials must be bound. According to NCEES' regulations, "Bound refers to (1) materials permanently bound, as by stitching or glue, and (2) materials securely fastened in their covers by fasteners that penetrate all papers." If you have loose papers, make sure they are bound into a binder. You are allowed to use tabs and sticky notes in your reference materials, but you must tab and make notes before you go into the exam room.  

3. Pack Snacks

Even though you may have had a protein-rich breakfast (which we highly recommend), such as eggs, peanut butter toast, and sausage, you need to make sure not to get hungry throughout exam day. When you are getting ready for the exam, pack high-protein snacks, such as granola and nuts, to eat during exam breaks. Nothing slows your brain down more than hunger!

4. Skim Through Your Notes

It is always a good idea to skim through your notes a week before the exam. When you are skimming, make notes about which topics you want to specifically look over again before exam day. 

5. Practice Problems

Even though the exam is only a week away, practicing PE exam-like problems is a great way to confirm that you are ready for your exam. If you are still struggling with practice problems for a specific subject, consider doing a quick brush-up on the subject and then try practicing problems again. Our PE Civil Question Bank is a great tool to test your knowledge. 

6. Get Enough Sleep

We get it, some people like to stay up into the morning hours to study. If you've been doing this to prepare for the PE exam recently, now is a good time to stop. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night this week. As you continue to do last-minute study preparations, getting at least 8 hours of sleep will help your overall memory, as memory consolidation happens in the later hours of sleep. 

Good luck on your exam next week!

How Engineering Plays a Big Role in Hurricane Recovery

The last few years have brought many hurricanes to the United States, with some of the bigger and most devastating hurricanes being Harvey, Michael, and Florence. For hurricane-prone areas of the United States, engineers have various duties for before and after a hurricane makes landfall. As an engineer, safety is often the main concern when a disaster strikes. When a hurricane hits land, it is extremely important to be fully prepared to ensure minimal loss. 

For areas that are susceptible to hurricanes, professional civil engineers must design infrastructure so that the structures can sustain extreme winds, storm surges, flooding, windborne debris, and rain-induced landslides. Buildings that are in hurricane zones must be constructed differently than buildings that are located farther inland. When heavy wind pushes against the roof of a building, negative pressures against it can cause the roof to become detached. Once a roof is detached from the building, the whole structure becomes weak and has the potential to collapse. To avoid building failure, anchoring the roof to the foundation of the building is key to defending the building against destructive, high winds. 

After a hurricane strikes, engineers have a large role in the recovery and cleanup. One example of this is the use of drones in rescue missions. After Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 hurricane that inflicted $125 billion in damages, engineering drones were used to locate stranded individuals. Drones were used to capture images and the location of people who needed rescued, which is much easier and more efficient than having a rescue team physically search for stranded people via boat. Engineers also work to rebuild fallen and damaged infrastructure during the recovery period. 

Engineers play a large role in hurricane recovery. Without engineers helping after a hurricane, recovery would be much slower and not as effective. Since hurricanes are difficult to predict, it is up to professional engineers to be prepared when a disaster strikes.

Engineering and Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous cars (or cars with self-driving capabilities), are being talked about more and more within the automotive industry. When "autonomy" is mentioned within this article and the below infographic, we are referring to a car that is able to calculate maneuverability decisions without human assistance or intervention. 

It is expected for autonomous vehicles to outnumber human-driven vehicles by 2030. With a big push for autonomous vehicles, professional engineers are constantly evaluating practicality and safety for self-driving cars. For those who are in favor of autonomous vehicles, they look forward to the convenience. However, some members of the general public speculate the overall safety when it comes to self-driving cars. 

Check out the infographic below that outlines autonomous vehicle operations and overall opinions about the matter: 

References 

Self Driving Cars 2017. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mushroomnetworks.com/ infographics/self-driving vehicles-2017/

Howard, D. Public Perceptions of Self-driving Cars: The Case of Berkeley, California. Retrieved from https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/ ~djhoward/reports/ Report - Public Perceptions of Self Driving Cars.pdf. 

U. Ozguner, C. Stiller and K. Redmill. Systems for Safety and Autonomous Behavior in Cars: The DARPA Grand Challenge Experience.

School of PE Provides a One-Stop-Shop for Professional Engineering Education

Since 2004, School of PE has made its goal to provide valuable educational experiences to help engineers obtain professional licenses. From the FE exam and beyond, School of PE prides itself in helping engineers through every step in obtaining and maintaining their licenses. Wondering how? Read more below:

Table of Contents

1. FE Exam

2. PE Exam

3. Continuing Education

1. FE Exam
The first step in becoming a professional engineer is to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE or EIT) exam. This exam is typically taken by undergraduate seniors or recent college graduates. To be eligible to take this exam, applicants must be enrolled in or have graduated an accredited university.
How School of PE Prepares Exam Applicants for the FE Exam
School of PE offers exam review courses for all of the FE exams NCEES offers. Each FE exam review course that School of PE offers is 80 hours long and is taught by engineers. School of PE's FE pass rate is much higher than the national average, with the average pass rate of all FE courses combined being at 91%. The national pass rate for all combined FE exams is 74%. *
Below is the list of FE courses School of PE provides:

• FE Chemical
• FE Civil
• FE Electrical
• FE Environmental
• FE Industrial
• FE Mechanical
• FE Other (General)

2. PE Exam

Generally, an engineer is required to obtain four years of engineering experience after passing the FE exam to proceed to the next step in licensure: taking and passing the Principles and Practice (PE) exam. According to NCEES, "The PE exam tests for a minimum level of competency in a particular engineering discipline." After passing the PE exam, the exam applicant will become licensed and can be referred to as a "professional engineer."

How School of PE Prepares Exam Applicants for the PE Exam

School of PE offers exam review courses for the majority of NCEES PE exams. Although varying in hours, all PE review courses provide over 60 hours of interactive refresher and workshop sessions. School of PE's PE pass rates are much higher than the national average, with the average pass rate of PE courses combined being at 89%. The national pass rate for the equivalent PE courses is 70%. *

Below is the list of PE courses School of PE provides:

• PE Architectural
• PE Chemical
• PE Civil
• PE Control Systems
• PE Electrical
• PE Environmental
• PE Fire Protection
• PE Industrial
• PE Mechanical
• PE Petroleum
• CA Seismic
• CA Surveying

3. Continuing Education

After passing the PE exam, it is required by most states for an engineer to periodically continue their education. State regulations for continuing education vary. For example, Texas has an annual renewal period while Kansas has a biennial renewal period. Currently, 42 out of the 50 state boards require some sort of continuing education. The continuing education requirements can include activities such as attending engineering PDH webinars, taking an online PDH course, or attending an engineering conference.

How School of PE Helps Professional Engineers Renew Their Licenses

School of PE is a division of EduMind. EduMind, an International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) accredited company, provides a wide variety of continuing education courses for engineers who need to obtain PDH credits for license renewal. EduMind has a course library that contains more than 600 continuing education courses, including online classes and webinars.

*Per Pass Rates Recorded Between July-December 2017

**Per October 2017 Pass Rates