Becoming a Land Surveyor (long)

[bjurey]

Hi Folks. Your profession intrigues me. I'm 35, have been working in finance for the past 13 years, am completely over it, so have decided it's time for me to begin looking for a new career. My current profession has trained me for nothing besides what it is I do every day. I have a 4 year degree in Economics from a very good public eastern University, but have never taken any coursework or training in Surveying. As I read through archives of this message board and elsewhere, it looks like there is a fair amount of school required to become licensed in California, but I'm not exactly sure how much. 2 years? 4 years? Plus an apprenticeship afterwords? Where are the good programs?

As I don't know any Surveyors first hand, maybe someone could tell me more about the job itself? I really want to be able to work outdoors, and be both physically and mentally challenged. Money is important, but not a top priority, as I'm lucky to have a wife who's already more successful financially than I have been so far. What can an entry level person expect to make in his first 4 years? The next 4 years? What is the work schedule like? These are the sort of things I'd love to know.

I'm in the SF Bay Area, and it seems there is a shortage of qualified Surveyors given the huge boom in remodeling currently happening (at least in Marin County). The architect we've hired for our renovation had to solicit 3 Surveyors before finding one who could survey our property. His regular guy had to turn the job down because he's just been so busy he needs a break.

I know there are a lot of questions here, so any answers to any or all of them are very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Brian

[kenwood]

Brian,

I will attempt to answer your questions on the subject. I own a land surveying company in Kenwood, CA and have five employees at present.

The surveying profession is both physically and mentally challenging and requires a particular type of personality to be successful. Most surveyors I know are intelligent, hard working, independent, hard headed, opinionated, honest to a fault (with a few rare exceptions) and forthright. By and large we didn't get into the profession because of the money. The approximate annual income for a seasoned party chief is $65-70k. The starting wage for entry-level technicians with at least a two year education is around $15.00/hr. In today’s economy in the bay area that’s hardly a living wage. However, if you like being hot in the summer, cold and wet in the winter, enjoy solving riddles, putting puzzles together, and working with high tech computerized equipment you may be a prime candidate.

As far as the education requirements, a good math background, effective communication and computer (CAD) skills are essential. You are in luck in that department living in the north bay area. Santa Rosa Junior College has an excellent 2-year survey program. Contact Jerry Miller, department head, for more details. There are also four-year degree programs through Fresno State and Cal Poly. It usually takes four to six years experience and continuing education seminars and classes, after a two-year degree, to sit for the Calif. State land surveyor's licensing test.

With the advancement in technology in the last twenty years it is now possible to have a one-person survey crew that used too take three or four (CAL-TRANS). Education and computer skills are a requirement to land a position at most surveying companies.

Good luck,
Mike Ford

[bjurey]

I'm going to look into the SRJC program.