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I passed!: The Sequel
It was a wilder ride than I ever could have dreamed up. I entered in school and this profession during the recession, which had me and just about every one of my peers second-guessing ourselves as to whether we were waisting our time.
I gained experience where I could during college but it was slim pickin’s. The most desperate was driving 2.5 hours on a regular basis just to get paid low wages, but I needed the experience. Once I graduated and passed the FS, there was nothing local, so I applied all up the Eastern sea board. I was prepared to move 8 hours away, but then a job opened up semi-local. It was the only job listed for surveying in my entire state and by some type of guidance from above it was granted to me instead of the other 80 or so candidates. So I moved 4 hours South and began a career with a great mentor in a challenging, but fun and fair work environment. Couldn’t have asked for anything better.
I got complacent, though. I didn’t keep studying for the PS like I should have. It was just difficult to do from some of the high stress weeks we’d have at the office and my personal life took many hits as well (I proudly made my contribution to the land surveyor divorce rate). All together, I waited a year longer than I should have to take the PS, but there’s no one to blame but myself. I knuckled down and buckled down and did the deed.
After being wore out from some long days, I’d fire up the coffee pot and hit the books till past midnight every night. I still was getting distracted at home so I started just staying at the office or going to a coffee shop. It may sound weird, but I studied better at those places because, hey, if I’m making the effort to go somewhere and study, I better study!
I often thought what would happen if I received news of passing. Would I yell out? Hug the nearest person? Would this grown man cry? …….I ended up getting the email on the john in a Sears department store while Christmas shopping. “YEESSS!!!”(followed by Tiger Woods fist-bump) For the men beside me, I thought of Tom Arnold’s character in the first Austin Powers when he’s really confused as to what’s happening in the stall beside him.
Anyway, I’m thanking people who’ve helped me along the way, and this forum is one of them!
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