I began my career path in 1995 straight out of high school with the aspiration of becoming a Civil Engineer. Working my way through a 2-year Associates degree at a local community college I gained valuable real world drafting skills at a local Engineering Firm. From that experience and seeing what a Civil Engineer did I decided it wasn’t for me. I learned about Land Surveying from one of the owners and it sounded amazing. Working outside, using cool technology, searching for pits, mounts, and stones no one has visited since the early 1900’s, that sounded something for me. I decided to pack up and move across the State where a college offered a 4 year degree in Land Surveying. I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to commit my resources and energy into something still unfamiliar to me though. I found work at a Firm that offered Land Surveying Services and I was excited, and a bit nervous. Not having any experience didn’t seem to be an issue with the owner, having the drive and willingness to work hard was the key. My first day I was asked to stock the truck with hubs and lath and I didn’t know what he was talking about. Vampire stakes and Wooden Swords! After a year of pounding hubs, learning about topographic surveys, and being thoroughly confused about boundary surveys I decided Land Surveying was the path I would choose. My Senior year at college you take a National “Land Surveyor in Training” test, and if you pass you will become a LSIT. Hard work had paid off, I was now a LSIT. I decided to go back to the original Civil Engineering firm and work under the only License Land Surveyor they had. Idaho requires 4 years of an approved College program and 4 years of experience under an PLS supervision before you can take the National Surveyors test and State specific test. Passed both! I was now a licensed Land Surveyor in the State of Idaho. But there was one small problem, 2008 there was no work and it hit the Engineering and Survey community hard. Fortunately, I was able to get a job in the State of Washington, and to this day I still work there, but with Licenses in three States, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
For the past 18 years Land Surveying has been my bread and butter. Allowing me to support my family, pay the bills, and have a little extra for the fun things we like to do. I encourage anyone that is willing to work hard and isn’t afraid of a challenge to inquire about Land Surveying as a career. Reach out to a local Land Survey firm, I would be willing to bet they will be more than willing to point you in the right direction, and who knows maybe even hire you!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveying