Isaac Oakeson: What is up everybody? Isaac here with Civil Engineering Academy. I'm excited to be with you on yet another sweet podcast episode. Today I bring an awesome guest, Tharanga Dissanayaka. He is actually a previous course student of the Ultimate Civil PE Review course. And his journey to get the PE done and over with is fascinating.

Isaac Oakeson: He started his life and his education in Sri Lanka, was able to get a bachelor's degree eventually. You know, did work in the United Arab Emirates, eventually was married, and moved to the United States, got other degrees here. Eventually got a PhD and he had more of a science background, but he was able to pass the PE exam in civil engineering. He specifically took the geotech depth exam.

Isaac Oakeson: And so, he wanted to talk about his whole journey to get here, how he got his education, how he got the PE exam done and over with, especially as a repeat taker. We know that it's a challenge when you're repeating the exam and how he tackled that. And plus, his own own family life and how he was able to squeeze in study time during his own busy schedule. So, he's currently working for a company called ECS that has a lot of offices around the United States and open to hire there too.

Isaac Oakeson: So, anyway, fascinating discussion that we have about the PE exam. I think you're really gonna enjoy this if you're preparing for your PE exam. It'll definitely give you some motivation to do it. Definitely motivated me. So hopefully it motivates you as well. Anyway, with that, it's gonna be a great time. And the interview's gonna be coming up right after this. Thanks!

Isaac Oakeson: Alright, Tharanga.We are live and running. Thanks for joining me on our podcast, the Civil Engineering Academy podcast. Thanks for being here.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Thank you for inviting me. I'm honored to be here.

Isaac Oakeson: Yeah, this is gonna be great. So, you were a student of our course, the Ultimate Civil PE Review Course. We kind of connected over that, and you had success in acing that exam. But I wanted to, you know, get more of your story and your background and wanted to interview you. So I thought this would be a good chance to do that.

Isaac Oakeson: So, I guess my first question for you is, what led you to this industry as civil engineering? And specifically, you've dived into geotech. So how did you end up here?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Actually, I have a unique story. Let me start from the beginning. So, I'm originally from Sri Lanka. So Sri Lanka is like a small island. It lies in the Indian Ocean. It's the southwest of the [inaudible]. So, in Sri Lanka, the education system is a little bit different than here. So, When I was going to school, so we had only the government universities. We didn't have any private universities. So I grew up in the village. So my parents, they were doing farming.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: At the beginning, I was not a good student. So I mean, I was lazy to go to school. Even I had the hard time in my family. But still, I was not a good student. So I was just trying to get away going to school. But I met one of my school teachers, the music teacher. So it was a music teacher. I was a little bit good at singing. And she identified then, and then once she talked to me and then she explained how important the education is. Then I started more focused on studies. And then I started to go to school every day.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So then, on the way, I met another school mathematics teacher. His name is [inaudible]. And then, once I get more close to my school teacher, so then I wanted to do better in the school. So at the grade 10 or 11, I determined I wanted to do better and then I wanted to pass my exams.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So in Sri Lanka, so we have one exam at the grade level, it's called "ordinary level." So after you pass that exam, then you can decide which way you want to go. You want to study science, or you wanna do, like, bioscience or mathematics, or you go to others, like arts. So, I didn't get the highest of course course, but I got the grade that is enough to do the mathematics at advanced level.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So then we have another exam at grade 13. After grade 12 and 13. Then we have the exam at the end of the 13th grade level. Then, that's when you decide how either you select the university. You can be an engineer or a doctor, and then how to go [inaudible]. So I did the math, but I didn't have enough grades to go to engineering college. And then, by that time, I had a little bit of hard time because I lost my dad. And then that was so sad. But the teacher I was talking about, the mathematics teacher. So he's the one who helped me to get through that.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: And then I decided to go to the study science. But I still had my mind I wanted to be an engineer one day. And then, I graduated with the science, general science, degree back in 2005. Then I started to apply for jobs. So, in Sri Lanka, if you don't do engineering, so you're [inaudible] to engineering job. But I met another firm, I got to the job [inaudible]. It's called Country Survey Training. Training Country Survey.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So I applied for that, and there was a very good gentleman who I respect. So he decided to open opportunities for the science graduates to get into engineering. So then, I got that job as a training country server. And then I worked with the team about two years, and then I got another job in Sri Lanka as a country server.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Then, after that, I went to Dubai. So I worked there for two years. I enjoyed my job and I got to know the civil engineering world, the construction. So I thought like, "I want to do high studies and then get back." I mean, back to my dream. But on the way, I met my wife. I mean, now my wife. She was my girlfriend back then. And then we got married. So, by the time when we met, she was here in the United States. And then I came as her dependent; that's my visa status.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So then came here, and then we applied for the universities. I'm at her university. Then I got opportunity to start my masters in physics. So I got my master's in physics at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla Missouri. Then, after that, we transferred to Texas Tech University. So from there, I had my dream. So I wanted to enter the civil engineering world.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So now I have my master's in physics. And then, nowadays it's easy for me to get to school to do the engineering. That's one of the things I like in the US here. So once you enter to the -- Like, say once you finish the masters or something, and then if you want to do something and then there are more opportunities. And then you can do that.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Then I talked to my purpose is in the Texas University in the civil engineer department. And then, who was supposed to be my advisor is, let me [inaudible]. Then he helped me and then he gave, "Okay, since you don't have an engineering background, we can give you the opportunity by taking the leveling courses." Like, undergrad courses, college courses, and then after that, you can go from there. So I took leveling courses.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: And then after I took two courses, [inaudible] introduction to Geotechnical Engineering and Structural Analysis. So they said, "okay, you are good to go." So that's how I end up studying civil engineering. So then I graduated with the PhD. And then, in 2019 got my first job. So that's a long story, but long story short, that's where --

Isaac Oakeson: That is a huge journey to get to this point, man. I mean, congratulations. I would venture to say that most people don't, don't even get their PhD. So you have probably gone above and beyond anyone's expectations. So that's so cool.

Isaac Oakeson: I do have a couple questions, though, that kind of popped in my head. I visited India one time, and I know how competitive, you know, school is. You know, poster boards in the United States are filled with advertisements, and that's the same in India. But you also have these big poster boards that show students and how well they, scored on the exams or whatnot. Like, it's blasted everywhere. Is that the same in Sri Lanka? Is it pretty competitive in terms of school and trying to get into an engineering school?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. So just to give you an idea, back then, now maybe the stats have changed, but back then, whoever entered on the, like, grade one school. And then when you get to, like, a grade 13, the university entrance exam, only 2% get into the universities. So that's very, very competitive. But now I think the situation changed. So we have like few private universities, and then some of the students try to go study abroad.

Isaac Oakeson: Yeah. I feel like here in the United States, there are still, you know, very prestigious schools, but it feels like, you know, you could probably choose which school you want to get into and get a solid degree that's gonna help you just as much as anywhere else. So, it's a fascinating journey you've had getting over here, and then getting your PhD to go along with that.

Isaac Oakeson: Was it a challenge for you to get the PhD? Or did that come easier as you dove into school and you had great mentors, it sounds like, which is a huge push for anyone to stay in school and do well in it? But, do you feel like there was some hurdles to get that?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. So, when I was in the school -- So I like math. So always, honestly, I mean, when I was preparing for my grade 11 exam, I focused more on math. And then the other things just came up. And then, I didn't have to put more time there. So I think that help when you doing the the higher education. Then I did my masters in physics, so that helped like a mechanics and the other stuff. It helps understand the concept when I started tudying civil engineering.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So my advisor, [inaudible], and there was another professor, his name is [inaudible], they helped me a lot on the way. So my advisor, he guided me through, like, what to do and then how do we study, what book to use, and then -- I mean, again, it's invaluable.

Isaac Oakeson: That's fascinating. Yeah. Well, you know, get a good mentor. That sounds like it'll help you on your journey.

Isaac Oakeson: So let's dive into the PE. So, at which point in your career or in your education were you like, "I need to become a Professional Engineer, I need to get those initials after my name?"

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. So, after I graduated, I got my first job here on[inaudible]. I work for engineering consulting services called ECS. And then that was my first job. So, I started as a lab manager for the soils, concrete and the asphalt. That was my first job. So, and then I got to work the hands-on experience, testing soils, asphalt, concrete, and then sometimes I'm going to the field.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So, after one year or so, I thought like, "I don't want to be in the same position here." I had other PEs around me. And then, since I was working in the lab, I didn't get opportunity to get contact and work with the engineers. So then, I thought this, "I need to get the PE." Other things I wanted to do is having the PE. So I met another kind of mentor. His name is [inaudible], he's a Professor Engineer, and he's from Sri Lanka too. He's in Houston right now.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: But after I got the job, he was telling me, "You want to go and start preparing for PE and then pass the PE, and then you will know what I'm trying to say. You'll see the big difference." So he started to tell me that since 2019. And then I was pushing this with the other job and then family. But then, 2020-21, I registered [inaudible] sometimes in January for the exam. And I took once on October, 2021.

Isaac Oakeson: Awesome.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. So that's how I took my first, uh, first exam.

Isaac Oakeson: Okay. That was the first one.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah.

Isaac Oakeson: So tell me, what was the process? How did you discover Civil Engineering Academy and the course that we have, and how did that help you?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. So the thing is, when I was taking my exam first time, actually, I worked but I didn't put my full effort and full time. I mean, the good time. And then also by when I was, my first preparations, I didn't know what to study and what to focus. I was spending time, but I was not focused. Like, I was not doing like, "Okay, I need to focus on this subject and then spend more time on this area." I didn't have that.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So I started to do research. Like, who is out there doing this PE preparations? And then I found you, and especially, I found your YouTube problem-solving. So, that's a great help. And then, before I signed up your class, I watched those videos. Then, when I was taking my second-time exam, I started preparations about five months ago. So then, by that time, I started to use your videos.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Then I thought, like, "I need to take another class. I don't think I can do it by myself." So by watching your videos and then looking at your website, and then also I listen to your podcast too. So then I thought, "This will be a good class in the preparation support that I need to take. So, that's awesome."

Isaac Oakeson: Well, we love that you took the course and that you found success on round two, it sounds like. So, that's super exciting. And now that you have it done, you don't have to take it again. So, congratulations.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Thank you. I mean, especially thank you for the group. So, the Facebook group also, it helped a lot.

Isaac Oakeson: Yeah, we really like the support we provide. We try to get to your questions as quickly as possible. So, I'm glad you enjoyed that.

Isaac Oakeson: How did you balance studying for this and your, like, family responsibilities and work responsibilities? How did you manage all of that?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. So, I mean, I'm married. And then, I have two kids. My son, he's 10 years old, and then my daughter, she's gonna be six by this March. So, my wife, she works too. And then, she was a student actually. And then she's going start a job pretty soon. And then.

Isaac Oakeson: It's busy.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: It's busy. It was difficult. I mean, I want to help family and my wife and house stuff and everything. And then I like cooking. So I like to cook for the family. So whenever I can. But, after, like maybe when I have the exam with three months, when I have three months for the exam, so I put everything aside, including the family.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: At the daytime I did my job. I tried to go to office a little bit early. And then, I tried to get away from work after 5:30 or six o'clock. And then after that I come home. So help with the family [inaudible] and then, after my kids go to bed, I work -- I mean, by the time I start to prepare for the exam, I mean, the stud, it'd be like 10 o'clock or 11 o'clock at night.

Isaac Oakeson: So how many hours is that in a day, typically, you were putting in? Three to four?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: At the beginning, like, maybe two hours per day every day. But when I have, like, two months for the exam, maybe three, four hours, because I only got to sleep maybe two, three hours at night.

Isaac Oakeson: Oh my Gosh.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. And also, what I was doing, because I listened to your tips, so how to prepare for the exam. So, at the same empty table that I'm sitting right now, I had all the books and then whatever I needed for this table and I had my computer set up. And then I was not looking for the time to study sometimes because I had fixed time to study.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: But for the other time, for example, when I'm helping my [inaudible] house stuff, my family with the kids when I get, like, five minutes, so I sit and then do a problem. And then also during the lunchtime, so I take quick lunch and then do a couple of problems. And then also, what I did when I was driving, I know it's not safe, but I put my phone aside but listened to your problem-solving on YouTube.

Isaac Oakeson: Perfect.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So I did all of the problems, most of them. I can say like all of the videos in your [inaudible] structures, and then geotech, water resources and construction, transportation. I went through all of that.

Isaac Oakeson: Awesome.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So, yeah. That's what I did to prepare. After I passed the exam a lot of people just reach out to me and then ask, "how to do the preparations as a family man?" I told them, "You have to put your time and put the effort and then you can get through it. Otherwise it's not possible."

Isaac Oakeson: Yeah. I love it. That's great tips. I just wanna highlight a few things that you said. You know, you have a PhD. So, some people think that these exams come very easy to them, you know, with a ton of education. But you've put in still a lot of work to pass this exam.

Isaac Oakeson: So, you know, my advice would be not to take these exams lightly. I was the same way, as a repeat taker. And, you know, you gotta try to put your best foot forward and put in the time and take it serious. So, a lot of preparation time. I always tell people you have to treat it like a part-time job outside of your own job just to study. And eventually as you get going, you'll start enjoying studying again or working problems as you get used to them.

Isaac Oakeson: I had one other question. You know, you repeated the exam, would you have any tips or advice for someone that is repeating the exam? Maybe they're down on themselves or maybe they feel like they can't get over this hump. Because some people have taken this multiple times, not just once or twice. But any tips for repeat takers?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah, sure. The first tip is, like, you don't have to worry about how many times you are taking the exam. And then once you get through this, nobody's going to come and say, "Okay, look. You took this exam seven, eight times." Nobody's going to say that. So then, don't think about that.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: And then also just try not to do the same purpose and strategies that you used in the past. So try to find a new way. I mean, if someone wants some help and the tips for their studies, then they can only reach out to me and then I can share my experience.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So, I highly recommend your PE preparation class. I mean, the people who is there and cannot decide like which class to take, I highly recommend you. I took only the breadth preparation class, Breadth section. But I'm sure you're doing a good job at the depth sections too. But again, I highly recommend your class to whoever out there to take that class.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: And also, you employer. I mean, they help you. My employer helped me to get the class. And then, you can reimburse your class base. Because that helps them, too.

Isaac Oakeson: Yeah, for sure. You know, the value of them as a company is their employees earning that license. As you become more billable and you know, more desirable. So, it's a win-win to have you earn it and they reimburse you for it.

Isaac Oakeson: So, yeah. Go check us out. If you want to go straight to the course, you can go to civilpereview course.com. We do have a breadth course there and a depth course if you would like it. A lot of people can pass with just our breath course alone because we kind of tailor some of the homework and stuff to help you get a lot of depth stuff in. Plus, it comes with depth exams too to help you.

Isaac Oakeson: And we do pride ourselves on the support that you get. And, you know, we don't care where you're at in your journey, whether it's your first time or your eighth time taking the exam. You know, there's no, like, pride there, you know? People can come in and ask anything they want or commiserate or celebrate a win or whatever's going on.

Isaac Oakeson: So, you know, we're there in the trenches with you and trying to help you on this journey. And I totally agree with you. If you are repeat taker, you know, keep your head up, keep going, try something different, get more problems under your belt, but definitely keep going and go register again.

Isaac Oakeson: Well this has been really fun. Is there any other tips you would share about preparing for the PE exam?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah, so I have a couple of things. So, when you are preparing for the exam, let's say you are doing a problem right now, and then -- Let's say you are doing the same problem, let's say bearing capacity problem. And then after week or two weeks, you are doing another set of problems and then you see that problem there because we have like a pool of problems, right? So when your start with the practice exams, you'll see the same kind of problem. So my advice is, don't escape that problem; do it again. It doesn't matter how many times you do it again. I mean, it helps a lot.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: The other thing that helped me to pass my PE, I took your simulator exam, like the CBT exam.

Isaac Oakeson: The simulator? Yes.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So, I took it about a month before the exam. And I remember I made 82% for that exam. So the best thing I like in that exam is the it's similar to your actual exam that you'll see when you're taking the CBT exam. And then also the question I saw there, because I did hundreds of problems with your practice exams and other assignments, but all the problems, as far as remember, that I saw your simulator exam, it was different.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So it was not the problem I did the other time that I really like. And then, when I was taking that exam, so what I did is, I set the time, let's say eight to five o'clock on the Sunday. And then my family, I mean I would remind like my family helped me a lot, which I can't forget. My wife and the kids. So they understood how important this is. And then they tried to help me however the way they can. And then on that day also, so they went out, my wife. She took kids out and then they didn't come home until I finished my exam.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So then, once I took that exam, I made 82% or so. So I thought like, "Okay. I think if I can make this 82% at the new problem, so then I'm sure I can pass it." But it gave me more hopes, but I didn't stop studying there. So I kept going. And then, after I took that exam, I use your manual and all the designs and the codes. So even like if I open my exam right now, I think still I have access, and then I use the manual and then also the codes when I was doing my other problems after that.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So whenever I take the exam or the problem, I didn't go back to my PDF. PDF Manual or the design standard. So I only used your own design scores and then also the manual, which I got access to through the simulator exam.

Isaac Oakeson: The handbook, right?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. Handbook. And then also the designer codes. So, that helped me a lot. Because when you go to your exam, it was not new because you've seen that in the past because we are using that manual every day.

Isaac Oakeson: Perfect.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. It helped me a lot. It saved a lot of time.

Isaac Oakeson: For those that may be considering the geotech depth exam, how would you rank that for difficulty and any tips around someone preparing for that specific depth exam?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So the advice for any depth exam, I guess, you have to focus. Maybe at the beginning, you can focus more on the breath section, but when you have like a month or the two, put a little bit more time for the depth section. So, do the practice problems.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: I mean, for myself, I did actual practice exams. I did more than 4 or 5. Like, I set the time and then I do all the problems. I pretend like I'm taking actual exam. So that's how -- I mean, for the first time, I wrote down the time. So I did the the NCEES practice exam. So I started at 2:45 AM and then I did 40 problems. I think more than 40 problems. And then I finished, out of 60 problems I got 60. By the time I finished, it was like 4:00, 4:30 in the morning. So, that's what I mean. No excuse.

Isaac Oakeson: He definitely sacrificed to get it done.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah, I did.

Isaac Oakeson: That's awesome.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: After I took the exam and came out, I thought, like, I knew that I put my time and then I studied hard. And then also, I knew that I did a good job in the exam. And then I thought like, "If I'm going to fail this time, I don't know how to pass it." So, I mean, how can I prepare again?

Isaac Oakeson: But you did it.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah, I did.

Isaac Oakeson: You did it.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: And also, just before the exam day -- This time it was, I mean, I had a good time because my family, my wife, and the kids, they went out again to a friend's house and then the household was for myself. But I didn't spend a lot of time on studying. So what I did, I just watched a movie just before the exam.

Isaac Oakeson: Before the exam, like a few days or like a week?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: My exam was just tomorrow. And then, "I feel like I'm ready and then I just won't relax," and then I watch a movie.

Isaac Oakeson: Yeah. By that time there is no amount of preparation that's gonna move the needle for you. So, you know, take that day off or two to relax before the big day. So I totally agree with you.

Isaac Oakeson: Was there a textbook or anything that helped you with the geotech depth exam that helped maybe with more difficult questions? Was there any other resource there?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So actually, I used the Six-Minutes book.

Isaac Oakeson: Yeah. Six-minute Solutions and problems.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah. And then also, I don't remember the names. But by the same author who is doing the -- I don't remember that book's name. But --

Isaac Oakeson: Okay. But you just got some geotech specific kind of books that helped you?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah.

Isaac Oakeson: Okay, good. Awesome.

Isaac Oakeson: Well, this has been very insightful. Your tips are gonna help a lot of people to help them on their journey to pass the PE exam. I'm so glad that you found Civil Engineering Academy and that we could help you on that journey as well. Is there anything else you'd like to say about the exam or the course that helped you? Is there anything else you'd like to -- Or just, um, a way to contact you that our audience could contact you as well?

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Yeah, of course. So I just want to thank the Civil Engineering Academy and Cody and then Francisca, and Mark. So, everybody. I mean, there are some other people which I don't remember the names. And then also I had some, -- Now they're friends, actually. So, when I post a problem on the Facebook group and then there are some people, they reach out to me and then they helped me a lot. And now we are kind of now friends.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: So, I would like to thank everybody. And then also whoever is preparing for the exam. Don't give up. I mean, just the person like me, I mean, I came with the science background, not the engineering background. And then I finished my PhD, but I didn't have the background for the engineering background, but still, I made it. I mean, the only thing is, you can do anything. I mean, we are humans and then we can do anything as long as you put your time and then determination and then time and effort, so you can do anything.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: And, yeah. If you need any help on the preparations and then you can reach out to me. I think, Isaac, you can put my contact information.

Isaac Oakeson: Yeah. We'll link it all in our show notes. We can put maybe a LinkedIn profile. Maybe people find you through that, and reach out to you.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: And then also, if you need to change you career, we have openings in the ECS here. And then also we have more offices, like more than 70 offices. If someone needs to reach out to me for the opportunities, just let me know.

Isaac Oakeson: Awesome, we'll put that on there too, or we'll get your contact on there. If you need a job, reach out to Tharanga as well. So he's full of tips and advice and good career stuff.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: That's right.

Isaac Oakeson: Okay. Well thanks for joining me today. I appreciate it. And you have a great week.

Tharanga Dissanayaka: Thank you for the opportunity. And then you have a great week too. Thank you.

Isaac Oakeson: See you.