What a post to find. I am in the midst of some serious soul searching on this very subject.
I have been working as a surveyor since 1979. Starting in the Field Artillery and for almost 20 years now, in my own business. This is the first month that I haven’t had a single job order.
I had a very comfortable niche in the residential side of things.
But now that the title insurance companies around here are quite happy to write a survey exception in the policy in order to step away from that liability, and the brokers don’t want anything between them and the closing table, there are just scraps to fight over. The result is that the market has moved away from our services. We have become just another a pain-in-ass inspection.
I have marketed myself silly to no avail. EVERY broker I’ve spoken with says that they would NEVER have a client or customer buys without a new survey. They look you right in the eye when they say it. The surveys that do get ordered seem to go to the $200 guy with a museum-piece transit and a rag tape, who (by coincidence, I’m sure) has every survey agree to the record, right down to the arc-second and hundredth of a foot. One of my last steady clients said that my work is some of the best he’s ever seen and he cringes when he comes across these other guys’ work. Doesn’t change a thing.
Last night it seemed to have come to me as a finality, it’s time to move on. I just turned 50 and I know what that means in our economy. It’s frightening. I almost wish it was the result of some monumental f-up that cost me my license. I could wrap that up and put it away as a mistake and move on. To simply wither is a jagged pill.
I feel sick. I am a surveyor at heart. It’s the only job I’ve ever had as an adult but it is eating me alive. I can’t take the stress of wondering what forces will line up to further remove the impediment surveying seems to be to the real estate industry. Hell, our local MLS is scanning surveys to include with the listings, a clear and blatant copy write violation, which our society could not give less of a crap about.
I am usually a pretty optimistic fellow, but I really feel defeated this time. I am trying to look into some other avenues, like photo modeling, but it’s tough to get started when the thoughts of the wreckage of my surveying career are on a non-stop loop echoing through my head. I know it will get better. It really sucks right now.
Anyone need a ready-to-work, fully equipped one man field crew?
>
> Anyone need a ready-to-work, fully equipped one man field crew?
No. (and that's the problem)
> I almost wish it was the result of some monumental f-up that cost me my license. I could wrap that up and put it away as a mistake and move on.
>
I know what you're trying to express, but we both know that's not true.
> What a post to find. I am in the midst of some serious soul searching on this very subject.
>
> I had a very comfortable niche in the residential side of things.
>
> I have marketed myself silly to no avail.
> Last night it seemed to have come to me as a finality, it’s time to move on.
Yes, JB, you're in a bad spot, but you're realizing the truth. What you specialize in is no longer needed. I know from experience that it's a painful reality. But, reality it is.
I'm sure that you are in one of the stages of mourning and so it's natural to be very down. But in this case you get a chance to start anew. Not an enviable challenge at your age, but there it is.
You're not alone.
Stephen
Stephen: good, concise, and to the point response. As you said there are a lot of people on this board in the same predicament.
I agree.
You are only 50. You are in your prime.
Branch out and do some other things too... put a few of those eggs in another basket.
I see many folks in this community here following several ventures/trades/crafts/careers/hobbies thru their lives, it does work out somehow. Follow the money, but don't get too distant from where your heart is.
JB, you are among brothers & friends here.
This is a great place to commiserate.
We feel your pain. It has been the ~ s l o w e s t ~ two months for me now that I can remember in the past 13 years on my own. I am a young pup though at nearly 42 years young. I learned here that I am still quite young, and you are too my friend.
Things are going to get better soon, I can feel it. (by the way, this link is intended to speak to you in a POSITIVE albeit sorta dark way. If it does not then please disregard, I took a risk).
Brad
I retired two years ago but the City rehired me at past 55 years of age with no qualms. Good health, a wealth of experience and knowledge. Just finished up my third week back and loving being back at MY city.
I was picked over much younger men/women and some had better cad skills than me but you cannot put a price on actual field survey experience.
So do not worry so much about your age and you have the experience. You just have a withered and blown away job market in that niche.
Best of luck my friend in what ever you decide to do. Drawing unemployment and going back to school to learn some other skills might be a good thing to do for a while if you are pretty stable, finances wise.
Many pooh-pooh the public sector and GIS. But those of us in the public sector in our occupation work just as hard as those in the private sector. And having a Surveyor working also with the GIS just results in much better mapping and analysis for anyone using the data. It may be just my town but all the other departments give us a ton of respect and give us the highest regards.
Of course you need the money to take care of family and bills but for me the aspect of being involved on a project from start to finish is very rewarding personally.
Deral
JB, look around. The skills you have obtained are valuable and useful in many other types of jobs.
It's the weekend, go do something fun that you enjoy!
Joe
I think we all feel your pain, and many of us are in the same boat. I think the other commenters have given some good advice to everyone.
I would find some additional income to get by until things pick up. My survey-related income has dropped to 10% of what is was a few years ago.
> I would find some additional income to get by until things pick up. My survey-related income has dropped to 10% of what is was a few years ago.
Problem is that in most places you can't even get a part-time job now a days-especially at 50 years of age.
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