In this article (and video above), I talk with April Woods, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Vice President at WSP USA, about the crucial role that a Professional Engineering (PE) license plays in an engineering career.
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask April:
- Could you describe your work experience in mechanical engineering and how it relates to your degree in architectural engineering?
- Working on Florida’s first all-electric hospital sounds exciting; what makes this project unique?
- Would you discuss the challenges you faced in getting your PE license and how you overcame them?
- Can you give real examples of how your PE license has helped you in your projects or daily work?
- Can you share a specific project where having your PE license made a significant impact?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode:
- April, with an architectural engineering degree from Kansas State University in the early 2000s, opted for mechanical engineering due to shifting licensure trends. Her career has since centered on mechanical systems, leveraging her diverse expertise in acoustical engineering, energy modeling, and other building disciplines.
- Working on Florida’s first all-electric hospital is exciting because it pioneers the use of electric technologies in healthcare, focusing on sustainability and efficiency with advanced heat recovery and electric boilers.
- April managed work, personal life, and studying to earn her PE license, supported by WSP with study materials, flexible schedules, and exam costs. Her success shows how crucial employer support and personal dedication are in achieving engineering licensure.
- A PE license enhances authority by allowing professionals to sign crucial engineering documents, boosting client trust and project accountability. It also paves the way for leadership roles, where managing diverse teams ensures successful project outcomes.
- April’s PE license had a significant impact on a project by allowing her to sign important engineering documents, boosting client confidence and elevating her role as a project leader. Her licensure validated her expertise, ensuring smoother project execution and greater overall success.
About: April Woods, PE, LEED AP BD+C
Woods has played a key role in engineering mechanical solutions for major health care projects over the past decade. Her passion since the beginning of her career at WSP USA has been on sustainable design, and she is particularly proud of her involvement early in her engineering career in the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas project, which was the first health care facility in the world to be awarded U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum. She was a 2012 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40 award winner.
Sources:
WSP USA
Kansas State University
HHS Pledge
Decarbonization
Connect with April Woods, PE, LEED AP BD+C, on LinkedIn
This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI
PPI
has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI’s wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, and digital study tools to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam here.
I hope you found this article helpful. In upcoming articles, I will solve some more PE exam practice problems and answer other questions from our subscribers. Pass the PE Exam videos will publish weekly, so be sure to click the subscribe button so you don’t miss something that could make a substantial difference in your exam result.
Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of this video, or on this page, and I’ll read and respond to them in future videos. So, if there’s a specific topic you want me to cover or answer, we have you covered.
I’ll see you next week… on Pass the PE Exam
Anthony Fasano, PE, AEC PM, F. ASCE
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
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