Background check

BA Mathematics (the theory kind, not the number kind)

AS in forestry. I didn’t really like forestry classes but I’m tenacious and stuck with the program. We had a smattering of survey classes which I really liked a lot and ended up going into surveying as a career rather than forestry. I know a lot of surveyors who started out as foresters.

"I worked with a surveyor who started off in English "

I got 20% for English and less for French.
Failed all my other non science subjects so gave them all away and just did science stuff.
Trouble was didn't qualify me for surveying so my prospective employer was kind enough to take me on providing I got another science subject under my belt, which I did - Geology
Teachers probably saw me destined to pack apples or something!

B. A. Applied Mathematics

Started off double majoring in Math & Physics.

Finished with degrees in Economics & Business Administration.

PS - The degree in Econ was because I thought Econ was FUN! No one has ever accused me of having all my screws quite tight!

BA Mathematics w/minor in Economics.

I replied to a classified ad: "excellent math skills required" was all that was listed with an address.

Got my resume together (that day) went to the office address. Dennis Drumm, PLS interviewed me, hired me, then explained what surveying was.....never heard of it before, haven't left surveying since. That was in 1986. Licensed in 1995.

Started in Architecture, ended up as a double major in English and Political Science. Worked as a technical writer for a defense contractor and a media/campaign analyst for a political action committee before I stumbled upon surveying.

Started collage in '81 (computer science) dropped out '83. Was working at a machine shop while in school and knew that was not me either. My girl friend's dad who was a PS needed some summer help and I have been surveying ever since. Went back to collage on and off over the years and then full time in 2008 when work slowed down. Graduated from Ferris State University in 2010 with BS in Surveying Engineering and got my licence by the end of the year.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Never stop chasing your dreams and goals. There where many times I wanted to quit, but am so glad now that I keep pushing through and achieved my goal at the age of 47. I say this not to brag, but to inspire others. I made it while supporting 9 kids and the most wonderful wife. You can do it too.

same here

8+ years in USA Army with on-the-job training as an artillery surveyor after being trained in two other artillery areas (artillery rocket crewman and artillery cannon crewman.) Retired due to injury in Vietnam. Worked full time in surveying and attended U of Minnesota evenings, earning a BS in surveying & computer science from the Inter-college program.

Started out interested in Civil Engineering, took a course program called "Structural Engineering" in HS. Part of that was a two semester surveying course. Learned some theory, went out and topo'ed the park accross the street from the school, then went back inside and mapped it.

Hit calculus in first year of college, decided engineering was not for me, and switched to political science.

However, needed to make a living, so since [sarcasm]I knew all there was to know about surveying from my two semester course[/sarcasm], I applied for a job.....and that was that.

Started with an Associate degree in History in 1972. I didn't want to teach so then what. I had a cousin who was an LS and thought that sounded like fun. Went to school another year (BAD student) and then dropped out (actually flunked out) for 5 years as I worked on field crews. I hurt my back working as a crew chief on a construction layout crew and couldn't work. Went back to school and was on the Dean's List and Academic Probation at the same time+o(. Went on to an Associate in Civil Technology (1980) and then a Bachelor in Civil Technology (1981). Licensed as an LS in 1985 and a PE in 1992.

Andy

Started at OSU as a mechanical engineering student but saw the light and changed over to geographical science after deciding that I did not want to work for my families business or Freight Liner. On a glaciology expedition they made me a surveyor because I was big enough to carry my gear and a T-2 on my back for three months. I liked it and began taking surveying in the CE department when I got back to school. That was almost three decades ago and I still love it.

I started out as a rodman in the field when the only degree that counted was a CE degree. Otherwise, you had to do 8 years of experience and pass the 16 hour exam, often at one two day sitting.

I worked my way up in the field and went to school at night. I got a AA in Liberal Arts taking only the minimal math. I did like science though, and did a year of chemistry, a year of biology, a year of economics, and a year of history as well as the mandatory social sciences and humanities. Got out with the AA and decided I didn't want to do anything else. Went back and did trigonometry, 3 semesters of calculus, and physics. By that time I was already an SIT and close to being registered. Finished up my time, and took and passed the LS on the first go. I think I took a soils and materials course in there somewhere too. At that time there was still no degree required for the LS in Illinois, and Illinois never went to an Associates level requirement, but straight to the bachelors requirement in the late 80's. By that time I was ten years licensed.

Training for me has been as valuable as education and has allowed be to broaden my career skills. I did a three day H&H course through the National Highway Institute that was the launchpad for my storm water interests. Further classes at UW Madison on H&H and IDOT plus a lot of OJT on that subject.

Thirty years as an LS and 4 as a CFM.

Shortly after birth I indicated to the attending nurse to record by length in feet and tenths of feet, not inches, and I have been surveying ever since.

The nurse I had slapped me to get me crying and take air into my lungs and then slapped me for crying!

I grew up in a small coal mining town in southern West Virginia, where the men worked in the mines or went to college to become a doctor or lawyer and women became teachers, nurses or homemakers. I was a very bright student so everyone told me I was going to go to school to be a doctor (their dream, not mine).

My parents divorced when I was a junior in high school and I assumed they couldn't afford to send me to college. I didn't know about grants and the "guidance counselor" at the high school never "guided" me, so I moved to Atlanta with my mother when she re-married, the summer after I graduated, a guy she went to high school with who was a surveyor. A surveyor? What the hell is that?

He paid for me to start taking some classes that fall at the local university and I began working for him that October. I fell in love with surveying and continued to take classes on and off (still do, 15 years later) while working. I worked my way into a crew chief position pretty quickly and took the classes I needed to qualify to sit for the FS exam. Passed it, gained additional experience then became licensed a few years later. I am now licensed in 5 states.

I earned a AS (General Science) and I am working towards a BS now, slowly but surely.

Started out working weekends while in High School for a Surveyor who was friends with a neighbor of ours, he taught me how to run the transit and level. Off to College for Forestry and at the admissions interview the counselor was very impressed that I had worked as an instrument man, didn't seem that special to me at the time. Graduated with a B.S. in Forestry. I enjoyed the surveying classes so much that I filled up my electives with every surveying and surveying related class they offered. Worked a summer for the Forest Service in Chiloquin OR, really enjoyed it, then a few 180 day appointments for the Department of Defense at West Point NY, yes they have Foresters on staff, great job but unfortunately the government had a hiring freeze at that time. After finishing active duty training time with the Naval Reserve I took a job in surveying getting licensed in two States. So here I am almost 30 years later, 21 years with my own firm, still enjoying Surveying.