P.G. Exam

Now that I have completed my P.E. Exam, I will be moving on to the Professional Geologist examination. I will have three months to prepare for that exam which will be held on March 2, 2007. I really hope that I pass my P.E. Exam so that I do not have to concern myself with taking the P.G. and retaking the P.E. at the same time in the spring...with a new baby.

The P.G. Exam will likely be more difficult than the P.E. Exam because Illinois proctors the Fundmentals of Geology at the same time as the Principals of Geology. For Engineering, one takes the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (8hr Exam) in college and then the P.E. (another 8hr exam) after completing the work experience requirements.

Since I will be taking the F.G. component approximately 5 years outside of my academic Geology education, I have a lot of material to refresh on (Petrology, Minerology, Paleontology, Geomorphology, and other stuff that is rarely used in environmental geology). In most states, testing for the P.G. is a new requirement and the majority of P.G.s are licensed in Illinois by "grandfathering". The problem with this scenario is that it will take a generation of P.G.s licensed by examination for the credential to have merit. Even P.G.s consider the licensure weak because of new standards for examination. P.G.s also do not have a strong governmental lobby like Engineers. This has allowed most of the signatory requirements for documents to fall under the purview of P.E.s, while it is often as or more appropriate for a P.G. to sign a document.

PE Exam

I have been preparing for and will sit for my Professional Engineering examination tomorrow. Passing this test (fingers crossed) will be a significant milestone for me in my career. It can lead to a significant bump in salary...if all works out well. And, it will allow me to sign-off on engineering drawings/opinions/workplans and other stuff. It becomes valuable for any employer because I take personal liability in stamping documents. I have hear others say that as soon as you stamp your first document, you will be in a courtroom in the next two-years. Let's hope that when my time comes for the courtroom, it will be to poke holes in others work and not the reverse.

Wish me luck!

UPDATE:
The exam consisted of two, four hour sections that are open book. The first section was more computational and a "hide and seek" type of exam; that is, I would read the problem and search through reference books to find an answer. I went to the exam with a minimalist approach, only bringing about 6 references. Some people were bringing in multiple milk-crates full of books. (...In my opinion, a reference is only good if you are somewhat familiar with that reference. How could anyone be familiar with 20 difference texts?...) The second section was more along the lines of work realted problems and was the type of information that you could not look up in books and you had to answer based on practical work experience. I walked away from the exam feeling confident, and that may be a problem. I say that because when I was in college and left an exam with confidence, I would get dope-slapped with a "C" or something much worse than I thought I would get. I will find out in January if my confidence is appropriate or an indication that I need to take the exam again.

Latest Ultrasound (ITS A BOY)

My wife and I just got back from out visit at the doctor's office. The first view of the baby revealed the obvious...It's A Boy!

See...just look at where the arrow is pointing.

Top Picture: Feet
Top Center: Face and Elbows
Bottom Center: Face/Abdomen (Profile)
Bottom: ITS A BOY!

A recent trip down the Chicago River when my niece came to visit