Carlos Licon, Jr. joined Parametrix in April 2022 as a Transportation Engineer based in Albuquerque, NM. He graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso in 2019, completing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a focus on Transportation Engineering and Pavement Design. In January 2023, he earned his professional engineer (PE) license.
He discusses his careers goals, experience earning a PE license, and advice for future PE’s!
What do you hope to achieve as a Professional Engineer?
I hope to continue expanding my knowledge and expertise on roadway design and traffic modeling. As a Professional Engineer, I look forward to working on infrastructure projects that both benefit the public and improve safety.
What was most difficult about earning your PE license?
I took the PE exam immediately after graduating college. As a result, I lacked industry-specific knowledge. Consequently, I struggled to identify proper reference manuals and where to search for certain information. My lack of professional and real-world experience made it challenging to compress three to four years of experience during my exam preparation.
What advice do you have for others pursuing their PE license?
The PE is a difficult exam. My advice is to find the right balance after graduating school and starting your career to ensure that you are competent both professionally and academically. It is also important to not get discouraged if you do not pass the first or even second time. There are still valuable lessons to gain from the testing experience including reassessment of study preparation and feeling more confident knowing what to expect from the actual exam.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy exploring the outdoors, I love to hike, fish, and visit new national parks. I also enjoy going to the gym and working on home renovation projects.
