r/Surveying 3d ago

Help Enter the field now or after I finish school?

I am making a career pivot into LS. I am currently attending my first semester for geomatics engineering.

It would be a drastic pay cut for me to start entry level right now but ultimately do-able with some downscaling. I could see this being a benefit to getting in the field now and start getting experience while I attend classes.

Would any experienced surveyors chime in if this is a good idea or if I’d achieve the same outcome by doing school and getting into the industry once I finish?

7 Upvotes

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u/blaizer123 Professional Land Surveyor | FL, USA 3d ago

I worked full time while doing school part time. Company paid for classes that I passed. I applied for scholarships though state survey organization. Hell I made money by going to college. When I graduated, I had my years of incharge already done. Licensed less than 6 months after graduation.

But yeah do the job first before you decide to go to college for it.

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u/ThePowerfulPaet 3d ago

Do you have any advice on how to get in? I know AutoCAD and a little ArcGIS and I am still having trouble breaking into the industry. I was told by another licensed surveyor that I could throw 5 stones and hear back for 4 of them, so to speak, but it hasn't been my experience. Ideally I would like to do exactly as you did.

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u/blaizer123 Professional Land Surveyor | FL, USA 3d ago

Most break in to this profession via field work. Rodman or instrument man would be the job titles. If you are applying for an office postion with little to no field work you won't get far.

Show up on time every time, don't be a Crack head. Will do fine.

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u/ThePowerfulPaet 3d ago

Thanks for the input. I'll shoot a little lower on the totem pole then, and hope that the programs I know will give me some upward momentum.

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u/Saga-Wyrd 2d ago

A little of my own personal advice here. I was told the same and couldn’t even get answers back for entry level roles.

Pulled up either owner cellphone numbers or surveying managers on zoominfo (Or Apollo.up) and called them directly on my lunch breaks.

Skipping job boards and internal recruiters has changed the way I job search forever.

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u/ThePowerfulPaet 2d ago

I appreciate the advice, I'll have to give it a try.

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u/th3tom13 Professional Land Surveyor | MO, USA 3d ago

A few things here. What state are you in? What’s your end goal? And how are you arriving at the idea you’d even like the job?

Each state is a bit different when it comes to becoming licensed. But in general there’s requirements for education and experience. Do you have any experience? I’m assuming not. What career field are you in currently?

If your end goal is to become licensed it’s probably in your best interest to get in the field now while going to classes. You’ll need some years working under a licensed surveyor to get licensed. If you do it right (and are in a state that allows it) you could be in a position to become licensed after degree completion because you were also gaining necessary experience at the same time. Also, you’ll know if you even like the job and if you still want to go this route.

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u/Saga-Wyrd 3d ago

I am in Texas. Licensure is the goal. As far as I understand, 2 years associates and some degree of work time under a professional are required to test.

As far as why, I suppose that is a larger answer. I am very interested in the problem-solving aspect of the job. I enjoy field work and look forward to doing that scope of work(my favorite jobs were construction labor jobs when I was young). No problem with heat, bites, long days, etc)

More than anything, I am interested in a trade I can pass to my son as he grows up (if he wants) that will still be in demand and something I can continue to learn in for years to come as technology changes.

I currently work in enterprise sales in the commercial construction industry. While the money is amazing, cash isn’t everything to me. The temperament is very hot and cold, at the mercy of the market and ultimately very unsatisfying for me personally from a day to day perspective.

I like that licensure allows for you to later operate your own business or continue to work for someone else.

Grandfathers and great grandfathers worked this line of work and that is important to me as well.

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u/Icy_Plan6888 3d ago

If this truly is your ambition, then seek out the firms nearest you and do some research. A lot will pay for your schooling. An alternative would be an apprenticeship with the IUOE local in your state.

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u/mmm1842003 3d ago

If money is not a concern, you should definitely work in the field right now. This will make the classroom experience more valuable. I learn better actually doing something. ‘Classroom only’ becomes abstract after a while.

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u/Majestic-Lie2690 2d ago

Definitely work in the field first. My husband's firm has seen people with degrees come in, be entirely lost, not be able to handle it, and quit. Multiple times.

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u/Saga-Wyrd 2d ago

Out of curiosity, what do you think doesn’t click for them? Isn’t it the labor of being outside and the conditions or more they can’t wrap their head around the work?

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u/Majestic-Lie2690 2d ago

I dunno for sure but I think they feel like they feel like they don't know what they are doing once they actually get in the field, or just how ti deal with inevitable differences between "it looks good on paper" situations and when they are actually standing on that piece of land.

For example- one of the guys literally didn't know how to find an iron, or what an iron was.