California Surveyors Forums

You are entering a new age Luis. Solo surveying is possible, required in places.

Thru the years (now year 40) I have sought out situations that suit my current goals, the world of surveying is huge... get out there and have a look!

Luis keep in mind that your not just limited to the private sector, as the government sector (local, state and federal) have and need surveyors. We work in different capacities, from roads and highways to water resources to public lands and more. There are numerous options. Good Luck.

Join us at the Sacramento Chapter meeting next Thursday at Logan's Roadhouse in Natomas.

The details are on the chapter webdite. Rob M will chime in with the web address and other details.

Hmmm... No RonM...

The sacramento Chapter website is at: http://www.sac-surveyors.org/

April Meeting Info:

Start: 04/01/2010 - 17:30
End: 04/01/2010 - 20:00

location:
Logan's Roadhouse
3698 North Freeway Boulevard
Sacramento, CA, 95834
United States

Speaker is Tom Taylor

Regular Dinner $25

Discounted Student Dinner $20

I plan to be there. Hunt for me, Luis. I'd like to meet you.

Luis - If you show up on Friday, you'll be a day late. The meeting is on Thursday. The Chapter's meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month.

BTW - I have no formal education in land surveying. I really don;t believe it has hindered me at all.

"For the fellows who decided not to pursue a formal degree in surveying, have you ever felt limited in what you could do surveying wise?"

One LS who is going for his 2nd license in a neighboring state speaks somewhat to that in another thread in this forum: 4 yr degree requirement for Nevada reciprocity.

The answer to your question will, at least in part depend upon whether CA ever goes to a degree requirement, or if you ever move to a state that has such a requirement.

If you look to public sector employment, bear in mind that most public agencies are moving toward a degree as a requirement to be considered for a professional track position. Your options will be greatly reduced in the public sector and somewhat reduced in private sector without a degree (very few companies in CA require a degree for their PLS positions, many will look favorably on it, many don't care one way or the other, and very few will assume that you are a know-nothing who thinks they know it all and therefore not consider you for hire).

Overall, having a survey degree is a positive if you stay in this line of work.

I found that I liked surveying for the same reasons that you state when I was in my senior year of HS. At that time, I lived in a state with a degree requirement, never questioned it, and went to college for surveying starting the next fall. Through various circumstances (most self created), I did not finish my degree as planned, but continued working in surveying for several years.

After several years hiatus, but always working in surveying, I returned for my degree. I felt that it was the best way for me to become a well rounded survey professional. Many others have shown that it is quite possible to become a well rounded professional surveyor with a different degree, a 2 yr survey degree, or in some cases, no degree at all.

What seems to make the difference through, is that with or without a degree, the well rounded professional never ceases to learn and never loses the desire to continue learning.

So my short answer is: The degree helps, but is not absolutely necessary to succeed as a surveyor.

I plan to be at Thursday's Chapter meeting as well, so perhaps we will have an opportunity to speak.

Take the classes. They will help you understand what you're doing in the field.