In the science and engineering industry, seeing a “PE”, “LG”, “PMP”, or other initials behind someone’s name shows that person went through years of work experience that culminated in a substantial test to confirm the right to practice their area of technical expertise. A professional license is a proof statement that communicates that the people charged with designing roads and buildings; solving water supply challenges; cleaning up contaminated soil and water; and successfully managing project quality are qualified and ethically accountable professionals. Many go through this licensing journey but few outside that group know what the process is really like.
We’re telling those stories here. Aspect’s professionals are writing a series of articles that capture the trials and successes of studying for and receiving these career-defining milestones.
Delia Massey, Professional Engineering License
April, 2019 – Tested; April, 2019 – Awarded
Mountain Biking Happiness!
Photo Credit: Riley Seebeck (Flowphoto Co.) https://flowphotoco.smugmug.com/
Where did you start with your test prep?
I started by going through a review book and focusing on sections that had the highest percentage of questions on the test and that I needed the most help with. There weren’t a lot of options for study materials because I was taking the new computer-based test, but I went with the highly rated “PE Environmental Review” by Michael R. Lindeburg, PE from PPI. Once I was done reviewing, I began taking practice tests and would go back to review specific sections as needed.
Knowing the test material is just one part of the experience. What should a person gearing up to do this know about the mental, physical, and social aspects of test prep?
Preparing for your PE exam means making big sacrifices in your life outside of work. It takes a toll on your mental and physical state and your close relationships. I knew it would be hard, but the stress, anxiety, and burden of needing to succeed were worse than I imagined. I also put unnecessary amount of pressure on myself to pass the first time (only about 64 percent of people pass on their first try) because if I passed, I would be the first woman to receive a PE while working at Aspect.
I think part of what made preparing for the PE so hard for me was that I have a very active life outside of my engineering job. I am a semi-professional mountain biker, and I spend my free time riding bikes, working on bikes, planning for rides and races, and talking about bikes. I normally say yes to every adventure, and thrive off of a packed weekend and post-work schedule of outdoor activities. Getting outside to exercise solo or with friends helps calm my mind and gets me through hours of sitting at a computer for my day job.
Preparing for the test meant I had to say no to everything I loved so I could focus on my career, and I lost my physical, emotional, and social outlet. It meant spending my weekends indoors studying in addition to a full workload.
My anxiety about the exam grew to be almost unmanageable and I began to have panic attacks, which were terrifying and made it hard to focus on studying. I would allow myself to go on one bike ride per week, but I felt guilty for taking time off from studying. Usually, riding my bike is one of my biggest comforts when I’m feeling down, but during my final month of preparation, I was studying two days per weekend to prepare for the impending test. I tried to stay off social media because it made me sad and angry that everyone else was seemingly out having fun all the time, and I had nothing happy or positive to post about.
Bike-to-Work-Month Selfie!
What was the best piece of advice you received as you started your PE journey?
Figure out what works for you, not what works for someone else. I quickly realized that trying to study after a full day of work wasn’t effective for me, and moved my study days to the weekend. I also realized that starting 8 months before the exam and studying for 500 hours was not realistic for maintaining my sanity, so I set a goal of studying over 4 months, which equaled about 100 hours.
Walk us through the Big Test Day…
Exam day came, and I was tired and extremely nervous. I was one of the first people to take the computer-based test [1] , and I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.
It was stressful to have to decide when to take my lunch break while not knowing what the second half of the exam would look like, and I ended up guessing on a few questions to save half the allotted time for the second 40 questions.
I felt like I bombed the first half, and sat in my car at lunch, sobbing hysterically and debating whether I should just give up and drive away. I took a deep breath, reminded myself of how much preparation I had done, and tried to focus on positive self-talk, and went back in feeling much better about the second half, but was still afraid that wouldn’t be enough to pass.
I went home and spent the weekend in a dark mood, thinking I had failed and would have to re-take the exam, which would mean more weekends of studying, and admitting to everyone at my company that I was a failure.
How did you feel when you finally got the results?
Six days later I got my exam result (one benefit to taking the computer-based exam!). I HAD PASSED. I was so relieved I was shaking, crying, and laughing all at the same time—my hard work had paid off, I was a licensed professional engineer and I would never have to take that test again. My months of stress and anxiety and feeling isolated were over.
Getting my license nearly killed my soul, but it’s the biggest and most important milestone in my career, and necessary for me to advance in the environmental consulting field.
I am already seeing the benefits of having a license as I get to take on more responsibility at Aspect. It’s important to remember that while I had to give up my life for about four months, the benefits of getting my PE will last forever. The suffering and sacrifice are temporary.
Any parting advice?
Although the PE is really important for your career, remember that it is just one exam, and that passing or failing does not define the rest of your life. You may be surprised to find out which of your coworkers failed their first attempt at a professional licensing exam, yet are now licensed and highly successful!
Delia Massey, PE is a Project Engineer in Aspect’s Seattle office. She was the first woman to become a professional engineer while working at Aspect.
[1] Historically, the PE exam has been a written test where you have four hours to complete the first 40 questions, a set lunch break, and then four hours to complete the second 40 questions. Test takers were also able to bring in any reference materials to use during the exam. I was one of the first groups to take the computer-based test, which is formatted slightly differently. Examinees are allotted eight hours to take the whole exam, but you can only see the first 40 questions before your lunch break.
You choose when to take your lunch break, so you could spend 5 hours on the first half of the test, but then you would only have 3 hours for the second half, and you don’t know what the second 40 questions are until you return from lunch. And, test takers only have access to the supplied reference material (which you can use while you study), and you can’t bring in any outside reference materials.