Whether you are a high school student trying to decide on a future career or an experienced professional looking for a change of pace, you may want to consider becoming a land surveyor. It is a rewarding career path for those who enjoy work that’s constantly changing and highly engaging.
Reasons to Become a Land Surveyor
Whether you know all about the intricacies of what land surveyors do or you are completely new to the occupation, it helps to look at the benefits of a particular job before pursuing it. Here are some of the top reasons people become land surveyors:
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Best of both worlds. You often hear people say things like, “Oh, I could never work in an office all day,” or “Being outdoors all the time would make me tired.” While these statements are true for certain people, most admit that a happy medium would be nice. As a land surveyor, you can spend time in your office and outside. Now that’s the best of both worlds!
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Hands-on. Another benefit of being a land surveyor is that the job is extremely hands on. You aren’t restricted to typing away on a computer all day, but get to use your hands and take action on the job out in the field.
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Constant demand. Looking for a field that always has demand for work? The need for surveyors will always be around despite technological advancements in the field. You can rest easy that work will always be available, though certain geographical regions have more demand than others.
How to Become a Land Surveyor
Now that you understand why becoming a land surveyor is so attractive to so many people, let’s take a look at how to get into the industry:
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Educational qualifications. As is the case with most jobs, you will need to meet certain educational requirements before starting. Each state varies, but most require a four-year college degree in surveying or some related subject (such as spatial science or geomatics).
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Work experience. After getting your degree (or even while pursuing it), you will need to get some real life work experience. Most states require three to five years of work experience prior to taking official examinations.
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Surveyor examinations. Finally, you will be asked to take several exams before you can become a licensed surveyor. You need to pass both state and national examinations. The national tests are known as the Fundamentals of Survey exam and the Principles and Practice of Surveying. After passing these, you can take your state licensing exam. Once passed, you become a licensed surveyor and can work independently.
Taking the Next Step
Becoming a land surveyor takes time and effort. And while it can be tedious at times, the decision to pursue such a respectable career path will pay off in the future. Take the time to discover whether land surveying is something you are interested in, and then take the important steps to accomplishing your goals.
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