This edition of The 21st Century Engineer newsletter spotlights Alex Steelman, PE a 2025 NSPE Emerging Leader who shares her journey from aerospace aspirations to building communities through civil infrastructure. Guided by strong mentors and driven by a love for problem-solving, Alex reflects on early-career challenges, lifelong learning, and the importance of professional societies in shaping ethical, servant leaders.
Her story is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and commitment to the profession’s highest ideals: protecting the public, advancing knowledge, and mentoring the next generation.
#CivilEngineering #Mentorship #EngineeringLeadership #WomenInSTEM #NSPE #ServantLeadership
In this episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, Dr. Dennis D. Truax sits down with Isaac Oakeson, founder of @CivilEngAcademy , to discuss the future of engineering licensure and why earning your PE still defines professional competency in civil engineering.Isaac shares how his own struggles with the PE exam inspired him to create one of the leading prep platforms for engineers, how computer-based testing (CBT) has changed the game, and why the three-legged stool of education, experience, and examination still matters.They dive into:🔹 How Civil Engineering Academy helps FE and PE candidates succeed🔹 The pros and cons of removing the breadth section from the PE🔹 What the FE and PE really test — and how to prepare effectively🔹 Why professional licensure remains essential for protecting public safety🔹 The biggest exam changes from NCEES and what’s next for the PEWhether you’re studying for your FE, preparing to sit for your PE, or mentoring the next generation of engineers this conversation will sharpen your perspective on what it truly means to be a licensed professional engineer.
Civil engineering isn’t a luxury it’s a lifeline. Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with Joe Dibbs (Applied Research Associates) to explore how growing up in Lebanon shaped Joe’s view of infrastructure as necessity, his unlikely start as a pastry chef’s aide, and his shift into pavement engineering and asset management. They discuss the leap from academia to consulting, why trust precedes innovation, capturing veteran expertise with AI, and how ASCE/APWA communities create belonging, leadership opportunities, and career durability.
You’ll hear about:
Pavement fundamentals: surveys, design, budgeting at the network level
Communities that accelerate careers (ASCE, APWA)
Navigating early-career expectations and earning influence
Knowledge capture to preserve “dinosaur” wisdom
Making civil engineering attractive to the next generation
Guest: Joe Dibbs, Senior Civil Engineer, ARA
Host: Dr. Dennis Truax
Podcast: 21st Century Engineer Podcast
Welcome to the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, where we spotlight professionals shaping the future of civil infrastructure. In this episode, Dr. Dennis Truax interviews Clint Smith, a civil engineer and project manager at Half Associates, and one of ASCE's 2025 New Faces of Civil Engineering.Clint shares his journey from academia to consulting, offering insights into the shock of transitioning from theory to real-world water and wastewater design. They dive into the complexity of hydraulic modeling, floodplain analysis, the ethical role of engineers in community planning, and the challenges of infrastructure funding and environmental justice.Topics covered include:Designing water and wastewater systemsFloodplain modeling and disaster mitigationASCE involvement, Mosaic & Younger Member ForumVolunteer engineering work in Kenya & UgandaEquity, inclusion, and the future of ethical civil engineeringWhether you're a student, young professional, or seasoned engineer, this episode offers practical advice, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes insight into the life of a modern civil engineer making real impact.Learn more about ASCE’s work: https://www.asce.orgConnect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennistruax/Connect with Clint: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintsmithce/Want to be on the podcast? Reach out at: 21stcenturyengineer.com Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Who This Podcast Is For01:02 – Meet Clint Smith: From Alabama to Austin03:18 – The Shock of Leaving Academia for Consulting06:45 – What Engineering School Didn’t Teach (But Should)10:12 – Fluid Mechanics: The Class That Changed Everything13:26 – Discovering Purpose in Clean Water Access16:02 – Volunteer Work in Kenya & Uganda: The Reality of Water Inequality19:20 – “I Designed That Water Line”: The First Real-World Moment21:37 – Flood Modeling in Texas: Predicting the July 4th Storms25:41 – When Models Match Reality: Life-Saving Engineering28:30 – Why Communities Still Flood (Even When We Know Better)31:04 – The Real Obstacle: Funding, Education & Political Will34:29 – Engineering for Equity: The Human Side of Infrastructure37:48 – ASCE Mosaic, Code of Conduct & Being “Civil” Engineers41:20 – Younger Member Forum: How Engineers Can Lead Early44:15 – Advice to Students & Young Professionals46:50 – Final Reflections with Dr. Truax49:00 – Outro: Why Civil Engineers Must Speak Up
In this compelling episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, Dr. Dennis Truax (former ASCE President) is joined by civil engineer and infrastructure advocate Ana Tijerina Esquino to break down the 2025 ASCE Infrastructure Report Card. From pothole-ridden roads to outdated water systems, they highlight the hidden costs American families face due to failing infrastructure and the opportunities we have to fix it.Together, they explore how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has begun to shift the national conversation, why transit still lags behind ports in funding, and how better long-term funding strategies (not just flashy new tech) could change the future of American infrastructure. Ana shares insight into the grading process, economic impact studies like “Failure to Act” and “Bridging the Gap,” and why a national C grade while still far from perfect — is the highest the U.S. has ever received.
Tony Golopany escaped the Kosovo War as a child and went on to design and rate over 100 bridges across the U.S. — all before turning 30. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Dennis Truax explores Tony’s path from refugee to one of ASCE’s 2025 New Faces of Civil Engineering. Discover what it really takes to build the infrastructure that holds society together.
Civil engineers are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued — but Erin Robinson is proving it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Named one of ASCE’s 2025 New Faces of Civil Engineering, Erin joins Dr. Dennis Truax to unpack the real issues no one wants to talk about:
➡️ Pay gaps and broken loyalty in engineering firms
➡️ Why mentorship is failing young professionals
➡️ How community-first design changes everything
➡️ The massive skills gap between school and practice
➡️ Why soft skills aren't soft — they’re survival tools
She’s a stormwater engineer with real talk and a bigger mission: to make civil infrastructure more human — and to call out the systems that aren’t working.
Whether you're early in your career or already managing teams, this episode pulls no punches.
🎧 Watch or listen — then send it to someone who’s ready to lead.
What does it take to thrive as a minority woman in engineering and construction? And how do you navigate toxic workplaces without losing your purpose — or your power?
In this compelling episode of 21st Century Engineered, Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with Sairan Aqrawi, professional engineer, transit authority leader, certified coach, and unstoppable mentor, for a raw and deeply personal conversation on identity, leadership, and real-world advocacy in the male-dominated world of AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction).
🔥 Topics Covered:
How Sairan balances engineering leadership with business strategy and mentorship
Identifying toxic workplaces — and when it’s time to walk away
What real allyship looks like in engineering and tech
The difference between mentorship and sponsorship — and why you need both
Inner work, executive presence, and building confidence from competence
Whether you’re a young professional finding your way or a seasoned engineer rethinking your impact, this episode delivers fresh insights with heart, humor, and hard-won wisdom.
🎁 BONUS: Learn how to claim a free 15-minute consultation with Sairan to level up your LinkedIn or side business goals. Mention 21st Century Engineer to access this exclusive listener offer.
👇 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like this episode
🗨️ Comment your biggest takeaway
🔔 Subscribe for more real talk from the minds shaping tomorrow’s infrastructure
What happens when billion-dollar environmental engineering relies on broken models? Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with veteran civil engineer Dennis Lambert to unpack the collapse of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project once positioned as a flagship solution to Louisiana’s land loss crisis.
This episode explores how major discrepancies in sediment modeling, bypassed permitting requirements, and a failure to ground truth assumptions led to the project’s downfall. Lambert shares firsthand insights from decades in water resources, along with the professional and ethical questions engineers must confront when science is sidelined for speed.
📌 Topics include:
DELFT3D vs ADH modeling results (20,000 acres vs 7,000)
The role of NEPA, floodplain permits, and bypassed checks
Sediment transport theory vs reality on the Mississippi River
The balance between environmental ambition and engineering accuracy
Civil engineering isn’t just about concrete and calculations—it’s about people, purpose, and the long game.
In this episode of 21st Century Engineer, Dr. Dennis Truax welcomes Josh Burnett, founder of Redesign Studio LLC, to talk through the real-world challenges and mindset shifts required in civil infrastructure today. From struggling to find a job after college to cutting millions in development costs through smarter planning, Josh shares hard-earned lessons on purpose, ethics, communication, and leadership.
If you're an engineer asking bigger questions about your work, your impact, and your “why”—this episode’s for you.
00:00 – Welcome to the 21st Century Engineer Podcast
01:23 – Josh’s path after college & recession-era job hunt
04:41 – What land development taught Josh about humility
07:52 – “What does that number even mean?” – The question that changed everything
10:18 – Why Josh’s first “why” was selfish—and what replaced it
13:25 – Lowering home costs through smarter land planning
15:32 – Ego, ethics, and knowing when to walk away
18:48 – Civil engineers vs regulators: Who’s responsible?
21:09 – The rare value of a mentor who won’t crush you
24:05 – On introversion, communication, and relationship-building
27:10 – Josh’s growth as a communicator & learning rhetoric
30:35 – Why engineers struggle to say “I don’t know”
32:18 – Engineering mistakes, humility, and owning what’s next
34:59 – Civil engineers control construction costs more than anyone
37:47 – Planning smarter: How Josh saved $1.3 million
40:30 – How civil engineers undervalue themselves—and how to change that
43:05 – Why this next decade could be huge for civil engineers
46:20 – Final thoughts: Be ready, be excellent, and mentor someone
📍 Guest: Josh Burnett, Founder – Redesign Studio LLC
🎙️ Host: Dr. Dennis Truax, Former ASCE President & Engineering Educator
💬 Drop a comment: What’s your “why” as an engineer?
🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations from the frontlines of engineering.
🕒 Timestamps (Chapters)
What inspires someone to become a civil engineer? In Autumn Buesking’s case: a childhood bridge, a statewide flood, and a spaghetti-and-glue design contest.
In this episode of 21st Century Water, host Dr. Dennis Truax welcomes Autumn — named one of ASCE’s 2025 New Faces of Civil Engineering — to share her journey from small-town Missouri to designing real infrastructure with national impact.
They dive into:
Building storm shelters, aquatic centers & school expansions
The power of internships and hands-on learning
Her explosive (literally) minor in demolition
The future of engineering: AI, sustainability, and systems thinking
The transition from college to career (including imposter syndrome)
Real advice for students and young professionals
This is a fun, practical, and inspiring conversation for anyone working in — or entering — the world of civil engineering.
🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Dennis Truax, former ASCE president and Professor Emeritus at Mississippi State University.
🔗 Resources
Learn more about ASCE: https://www.asce.org
Subscribe to 21st Century Water wherever you get your podcasts
Connect with us: www.21stcenturyengineer.com
What does it take to build a meaningful engineering career in the 21st century?In this episode of The 21st Century Engineer, Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with Intisar Farhan Ahmed, geotechnical engineer and 2025 ASCE New Face of Civil Engineering, to explore how culture, mentorship, and proactive choices shape the future of infrastructure.🎯 Perfect for young engineers, civil engineering students, immigrants in STEM, and mid-career professionals navigating purpose and growth.👇 Timestamps & Topics(Click to jump to a specific segment — timecodes are searchable)00:00 – Intro: Welcome to The 21st Century Engineer02:10 – Who is Intisar Farhan Ahmed? Career path & credentials05:05 – Growing up in Bangladesh: cultural expectations and career pressure07:52 – Why Intisar chose engineering (vs. accounting)09:35 – Canadian vs. U.S. engineering licensure: pros, cons, and process14:30 – From Vancouver to Seattle: what it’s like to practice in both systems18:10 – How immigration shaped work ethic and mindset22:15 – Joining ASCE: building social capital through professional societies27:20 – How to strategically pick professional organizations (GBA, USSD, etc.)32:45 – What makes geotechnical engineering impactful35:05 – Working on landslides, dams, and data centers38:15 – Mentorship: formal, informal, and peer-to-peer41:20 – Don’t let your career happen to you: planning with intention42:57 – Final thoughts from Intisar & DennisIf you're a young engineer, a mid-career professional, or someone who wants to reconnect with why this work matters — this conversation delivers.📍 Don’t forget to subscribe and share.
In this episode of The 21st Century Engineer, host Dr. Dennis Truax welcomes Monica Gilmore, Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors. Together, they unpack why professional licensure (PE) still matters in today’s evolving engineering landscape — and what’s at stake when fewer engineers pursue it.
Monica shares:
Her 20+ year journey from civil engineer to executive director
What most students don’t know about the PE path
The “three E’s” of licensure: education, exams, and experience
How visibility and storytelling are shifting the profession
Her passion for outreach, mentorship, and public safety
Whether you’re an engineering student, EIT, or licensed PE — this episode will challenge you to think deeper about responsibility, legacy, and what it really means to be a professional engineer in the 21st century.
🔗 Subscribe, follow, and share if you believe in the power of engineering to shape the world.
What happens when large language models (LLMs) become part of the engineering team? In this episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, we sit down with William (Bill) Katzenmeyer, P.E., C.F.M. civil engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of CLB Engineering to explore how LLMs like GPT-4 are redefining workflows in the AEC space.
From improving documentation and reducing design errors to creating more adaptive, future-ready infrastructure, LLMs are offering new ways for engineers to think, build, and problem-solve. This episode dives deep into the ethics, risks, opportunities, and emerging industry standards around AI-driven civil engineering.
Whether you're in design, construction, or policy, this conversation offers a practical look at how to lead in a world where LLMs aren't just tools—they're collaborators.
www.21stcenturyengineer.com
Welcome back to another episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, where we explore innovation, infrastructure, and the minds reshaping our world. In this powerful episode, host Dennis sits down with Emma Quail, a seasoned expert in non-revenue water, leak detection, and water infrastructure innovation.
Emma, now leading Technology Solutions at Ferguson — the nation's largest plumbing and waterworks distributor — dives into why up to 40% of treated water in the U.S. is lost before it reaches a customer, how outdated systems and old thinking keep the industry stuck, and why young professionals and proactive technology are our best hope for sustainable change.
From practical leak detection approaches to the power of human intervention, Emma shares actionable insights on how municipalities, engineers, and water leaders can reclaim lost water, build trust, and lead the shift toward smart, data-driven infrastructure.
This conversation is essential for utility leaders, city planners, engineers, environmental advocates, and anyone passionate about fixing broken systems before it’s too late.
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes tackling engineering, infrastructure, and leadership.
📩 Contact Emma Quail Emma Quail | LinkedIn#LeakDetection #WaterInfrastructure #EngineeringPodcast #NonRevenueWater #EmmaQuail #21stCenturyEngineer #SmartUtilities #WaterLoss #FergusonWaterworks #CivilEngineering #DigitalTwins #WaterCrisis
On this episode of the 21st Century Engineer, we welcome trailblazer Eileen Vélez Vega, PE, MSCE, a civil engineer and aviation specialist who made history as Puerto Rico’s first female Secretary of Transportation and Public Works.In conversation with Dr. Dennis Truxillo, Eileen shares the realities of leading public infrastructure projects in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic restructuring — and what engineers and consultants need to understand about value-based pricing, government partnerships, and designing for long-term sustainability.They also dive into:What it really takes to stay in the AEC industry as a Latina engineer and working momWhy engineering firms must rethink support systems for womenHow to advocate for maintenance budgets in political environmentsWhy good consulting isn’t cheap — and shouldn’t beHow Kimley-Horn’s “Lift” program supports women in engineering careersPlease subscribe and help spread the word.
In this episode, Dr. Dennis Turek sits down with Tirza Austin, community manager at ASCE, to talk about mentorship in engineering, how structured programs support career growth, and why mid-level professionals are the mentors most in demand.
Tirza shares insights into how ASCE is redesigning mentorship as a strategic initiative—especially for early-career civil engineers navigating career decisions, licensure, and life in the AEC industry.
🔍 Topics Covered:
Why formal mentoring programs work better
Challenges young civil engineers face
How to find the right mentor at the right time
Mentorship success stories from ASCE
Building trust and structure in mentoring relationships
🎧 Want more episodes? Subscribe for deep dives on engineering leadership, professional development, and behind-the-scenes conversations with AEC pros.
🌐 Learn more about ASCE's mentoring program
https://www.asce.org/
📌 Timestamps
0:00 Welcome + Why We Talk Mentorship
1:18 Tirza’s Journey with ASCE
3:13 Mentorship as a Strategic Priority
5:06 Finding Your Niche as a Young Engineer
6:32 Passion vs. Aptitude in Engineering
7:29 Why Mentorship Must Be Structured
10:13 What Mentees Must Know
14:19 What Makes a Great Mentor?
17:27 Mid-Level Mentors & Real Relatability
22:15 How Many Mentees Is Too Many?
25:11 Time Commitment for Mentoring
27:19 Workplace Bias and Navigating Real Challenges
#CivilEngineering #ASCE #Mentorship #EngineeringPodcast #AECIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment
Dr. William Hayden Jr. joins us to explain why 60% of engineering projects don’t meet goals—and why it has nothing to do with technical ability. Drawing on global consulting work and a sharp eye for systems thinking, he shares stories from inside the AEC industry, his personal encounters with Dr. Deming, and why young professionals often walk out the door without saying a word.
This episode dives deep into the cultural, educational, and structural cracks in the profession—and offers a path forward rooted in leadership, psychological safety, and truth-telling.
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Follow the show for conversations that challenge the status quo in engineering and civil infrastructure.
#Leadership #Engineering #AEC #Deming #CivilEngineering #21stCenturyEngineer
Dennis D. sits down with Tiffani Neilson (CMO, IoT Marketing) to explore how the engineering and infrastructure industries are adapting to digital transformation. From broadband access to AI-driven content and the future of trade shows, this episode breaks down the opportunities and challenges facing civil engineers, procurement leaders, and infrastructure professionals.
Why are so many civil engineers leaving the industry? In this episode, Scott, Dennis, and Miles dissect the toxic cultures, lack of purpose, and outdated systems driving talent out of one of America’s most essential professions. If you care about infrastructure, this one’s a must-listen.