44 years ago today

[Peter Ehlert]

44 years ago today I sat for my California Land Surveyor's exam.
Halloween day, 1981.
It was an all day long written exam, in Redding, Ca. I chose that site because when I applied I was in the process of moving from Wren, Oregon back to my home town of Sonoma County, California and the time schedule was uncertain.
I had reviewed all of the past exams and was ready. This year was different. It was all essay, no multiple choice, and all true boundary survey: no lengthy vertical curve or state plain calculations. Probably about 10 or 15 total questions, 8 hour time limit.
I was in heaven! It was the stuff I had been doing at work for the preceding 11 years with great mentors. However it was like the toughest day at work I had ever had... not able to ask questions or sleep on it, but it was open book.
A few guys (I remember zero women) came in with bookshelves on hand trucks. Really! I saw one guy at a table near me frantically searching the whole time. I am sure he failed, there simply was not enough time for that, you had to actually know the material.
At the end of the day I had a 6 hour drive home, I was doubtful of course, but I Did Know that I Knew the correct answers, and was pretty darn sure I had properly explained it in my mini essays.
In April of 1982 I got my results. Pass! #5116!
actually I got a "unofficial" phone call a week or so before from one of the exam review committee members saying that I had passed, but I still had some doubt.
I am very fortunate to have spent my working carer with passion, and making a decent wage too.
PS: Thanks again to my cousin Dick Coughlan (RIP) for your jump-start. Without you I may have been an engineer in a cubicle going postal.

[hellsangle]

That's a good feeling, huh, Peter . . . (passing, of course)

Thanks for sharing. You were mentored by one of the best. I had several boundary classes from Couglan at SRJC. He made you think. And not to forget: surveying is more art than science.

Have a good weekend.

Phil - Sonoma