In this episode, Dr. Dennis Truax speaks with BJ Elkins, P.E., a water and wastewater engineer recognized by NSPE as an Emerging Leader. BJ shares how a simple message — “you can use math to help people” — sparked a career focused on service.

From working in rural Uganda to solving small-town Colorado water crises, BJ opens up about purpose, ethics, continuing education, and what it really means to protect the public through engineering.

A powerful conversation for civil engineers, students, and anyone who believes infrastructure is about people, not pipes.

In this episode, Dr. Dennis Truax talks with Sangeeta Bhattacharjee, P.E., PMP, the first woman geotechnical engineer in her Terracon office, about resilience, servant leadership, and breaking gender barriers in engineering.
From growing up in Bangladesh to becoming a recognized emerging leader in Kansas, Sangeeta shares how faith, persistence, and mentorship helped her define success on her own terms.

A must-listen for young engineers, women in STEM, and anyone redefining what leadership looks like in the 21st century.

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.

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