logo
episode-header-image
Oct 1
27m 54s

Passing the PE at 58 Years Old on the Fi...

ISAAC OAKESON
About this episode

If you’re in your 30s or more and think it’s “too late” to become PE, I’d like you to meet Jimmy Draughty. He passed the most brutal PE exam on the first try…and he did it at 58 years old! 😮

Since graduating, Jimmy’s worked on massive projects around the world, collected as many licenses as you can think of, and even worked for himself for about 10 years. At 58, that’d be enough, right?

Wrong!

Even with all this experience that blows all the newly licensed PEs (combined!) out of the water, he noticed the PE license still mattered big time for his career.

In this episode, he dives into his journey passing the Construction PE Exam at this later stage in life. Why the PE still matters even if you’re way past your 20s, how he (re)learned topics he hadn’t used in years…all the way to the tools and resources he used to pull this off.

If you’ve ever told yourself “it’s too late for me,” Jimmy’s story proves it’s a lie. Your age or how long you’ve been out of school doesn’t matter. What matters is the weight of having the PE license in the civil engineering world…at any stage of life.


🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:

  • Why He Wanted the PE License Even at 58 Years Old!

  • The 2 Biggest Challenges He Faced Prepping for the PE Later in Life

  • How Organized (and Tracked) His Exam Prep Like a Real Project Manager

  • What Helped Him Get a Handle of the Topics He Hasn't Used in Decades

  • Should You Prioritize Experience or Pass Rates When Choosing a PE Exam?

  • What Caught Him Off Guard on the Construction PE That Almost Led to a Fail

  • How to Handle All the Codes & Standards Required for the Construction PE Exam

  • His Approach to Taking Practice Exams (And Doing It is a Must!)

  • The Reason He Wouldn't Have Passed Without a Course (And It Applies to You, Too)

  • His Advice at 58 Years Old to Those Who Think It's Too Late to Become a PE

  • How He Found Civil Engineering Academy (And Why He Chose It)


🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Certified Cost Professional (CCP)

Project Management Professional (PMP)


💬 CONNECT WITH JIMMY:

LinkedIn


🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:

The Civil FE Startup Guide

The Civil PE Startup Guide

FREE CFM® Course Module


🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:

Civil FE Review Course

Civil PE Review Course

CFM® Review Course


📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:

FE Practice Exams

FE CBT Exam Simulator

PE Bonus Theory Questions

PE Practice Exams

PE CBT Exam Simulator

CFM® Practice Exam

FE Environmental Practice Exam

PE Environmental Practice Exam


📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!

Website

Newsletter

Free CEA Community

LinkedIn

YouTube Channel

support@civilengineeringacademy.com

Up next
Sep 24
Licensed in 42 States: Travis Keener’s Path from Engineer to Spill Plan Man
We’ve interviewed engineers in many different fields that don’t even come to mind for those in civil engineering, and here’s a brand-new one you’ve never heard of — spill prevention plan!Our guest today is Travis Keener, aka the Spill Plan Man. He’s a licensed PE in 42 states who ... Show More
33m 35s
Sep 17
Floodplain Management Leadership in Action: Scott Pelath’s CFM Exam Journey & Insights
If you’re in the floodplain management arena and want to build a successful career in it, then this episode with Scott Pelath, CFM, is a must-listen! Here’s why. 👇Scott started his career dealing with public affairs related to Water Resources. Then, he transitioned into one of t ... Show More
25m 28s
Sep 3
Mudasir Gulzar’s Journey to Pass the Geotech PE Exam with CEA
Most people kick the PE exam down the road when life gets busy, but Mudasir Gulzar?! He did the opposite! He pulled his exam date forward, leaving him with only one month left to study with…wait for it…a baby on the way! 😮Crazy? Maybe. But it worked! In this episode, he dives in ... Show More
28m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
My 10 2024 Lessons & How to Review Your Year
Do you ever feel like your years blur together without real progress or clarity on what you’ve learned? In this reflective and inspiring episode, Brendon Burchard shares his top 10 lessons from 2024 and walks you through a proven process to review your own year with purpose and i ... Show More
32m 1s
Jan 2024
051: 15-minute annual review with Sarah Doody
Get ready to take control of your career with a 15-minute annual review! This episode is designed to help you reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead. The questions shared in the episode will guide you through a simple yet impactful review of your accomplis ... Show More
13m 50s
Jul 2024
EP 165: 2024 CMA Exam Updates: What You Need to Know
In this episode, we're diving into the 2024 updates to the CMA exam syllabus for both parts. Get ready to discover the critical changes to Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics, as well as Strategic Financial Management. Make sure your study materials are up to date, and ... Show More
12m 17s
Aug 27
Beyond a Perfect Score
“Prepping for the GMAT was one of the biggest, most self-motivated projects of my adult life. It gave me concrete feedback I hadn’t experienced in years. Improvement wasn’t visible every day, but I could see how my effort turned into results.” In this episode of Inside the GMAT, ... Show More
30m 14s
Jan 2025
How to Make This Year Your Best Year Yet
What’s the most important change you need to make to reach your goals?   Many of us, myself included, often believe that external factors—such as money, career, government, or relationships—must shift for us to reach our full potential.   But the truth is, more often than not, we ... Show More
14m 46s
Jul 14
S19E5: 2025 McKinsey Digital Assessment Guide (McKinsey Solve Game)
Send us a textIn this episode, we break down exactly what to expect from the 2025 McKinsey Digital Assessment - also known as the McKinsey Solve Game or McKinsey Problem Solving Game. Whether you're facing two or three game scenarios, we'll walk you through the most common format ... Show More
4m 26s
Jun 2025
241. Effective Study Strategies for the NPTE
Do you want to have the most effective strategies for the NPTE? Find it all out in the podcast! Be prepared for the NPTE so that you can pass with flying colors! Check out www.ptfinalexam.com/podcast for more information and to stay up-to-date with our latest courses and projects ... Show More
22 m
Feb 2025
EP 172: How to Study for the CMA Exam - Hourly Breakdown
Are you considering the CMA certification but concerned about the time commitment? In today’s episode, I’ll break down the average study hours required for each part of the CMA exam and how you can effectively manage your schedule. I’ll also share an exclusive strategy from our C ... Show More
5m 19s
Sep 20
PMP Exam Rapid PMPIQ Test
Are you preparing for the PMP exam and feeling overwhelmed by the vast content? This video is your ultimate companion to mastering the *Top PMP Questions Every Project Manager Should Master*. Gain clarity and confidence as we walk through real-world scenarios, practical advice, a ... Show More
29m 44s
Sep 3
My Autumn AI Predictions
Back to school season means back to AI predictions! After a summer of skepticism around the MIT study claiming 95% of AI pilots fail, NLW dives nto what's really coming this fall and beyond. From simmering skepticism to multimodal model progress to the potential for AI M&A, NLW b ... Show More
29m 53s