Career change to Surveyor from I.T.

> Do surveyors ever have to give presentations or frequently be on call?
Yes on presentations, to planning boards, zoning boards, clients, etc., as for being on call, depends on the kind of work and/or your position in the company

> Would you consider a career as a surveyor as relatively low stress?

No

> What are the education requirements?

Depends very much on the state you live in

> Where can I go to get a degree or the proper schooling to start a surveying career?

Check this out

> Is it possible to make 45k+ as an entry level surveyor?

Yes, at the right company

Working outdoors may mean working in all temperatures and conditions...rain snow -10degrees 98 degrees, it's not as glamorous as it sounds.

it's even more glamorous than it seems! LOL

Before you can become a surveyor, you need to become an SIT. To get that, you have to have a degree in surveying: Associates with 6 years experience or bachelors with 4 years experience or something like that. This gets you to the national exam for surveyors-in-training.

There's no need to get too far ahead of the process and start thinking about $45K a year as an entry level surveyor.

Good luck on your career change.

> Hi Guys,
>
> I've been working in IT for about 8 years now, and have been researching a career change. Surveying as a second career has peaked my interest. According to what I've been reading it has decent pay, and job prospects are ok as well. I'm from NJ. I'm trying to find a good career where I won't have to do presentations anymore, or be on call, and get to work outdoors.
>
> Do surveyors ever have to give presentations or frequently be on call?

Depending on what type of surveying you do, yes to both. As presentations were previously discussed, if you are to do a lot of construction surveying you can be on call quite frequently. Usually this would be during the day and most contracts stipulate at least 24 hours notice, but I have had to do construction lay out at 11:30 pm on a Saturday night before.

> Would you consider a career as a surveyor as relatively low stress?

If you are a licensed surveyor in responible charge then there can be a high degree of stress. If you are a chainman or party chief, there will be some stress but usually not as much.

> What are the education requirements?

as said before, it varies on which state you plan to work, but an increasing amount of states are requiring a bachelor's degree to become licensed.

> Where can I go to get a degree or the proper schooling to start a surveying career?

See previous post.

> Is it possible to make 45k+ as an entry level surveyor?

You can, especially in a unionized area, but say $45k in the San Francisco Bay area will barely cover rent.

>
> Thanks guys I greatly appreciate your input, and time.
>
> Mike

Do surveyors ever have to give presentations or frequently be on call?

Only if you consider being unemployed to be on call.

The cyclical nature of the industry is the number one reason I do not encourage people to get into it.

Wanna trade?? I could use some nice cold AC ! good luck!

New Jersey requires a 4 year degree (BS) in Land Surveying to sit for the LSIT test, then 3 years or more of responsible experience to sit for the PLS.

NJSA 45:8-35(2)a.(ii) Effective January 1, 1991, graduation from a board approved curriculum in surveying of four years or more; an additional three years or more of experience in land surveying work of a character satisfactory to the board and indicating that the applicant is competent to be placed in responsible charge of that work; and successfully passing all parts of the written examination;

Additional information can be downloaded at the Boards web site:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/pels/index.htm