Decide today that it was time. I started surveying in February,1990. A long stinking time ago. I got my license the hard way, teaching myself everything needed to pass the tests. A lot of good surveyors that I knew in the same situation never passed. And I have been proud that I passed. But. I was always ashamed that I never got a degree. And I saw a lot of doors closed to me because of that lack of a degree.
I signed up for Great Basin College's online BAS program. Well, technically the AS program as you have to get that before you can enter the BAS program. It is all online. It will be hard. But it will so be worth it knowing that I will one day be able to say "I have a degree in surveying."
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Good Luck. I just finished GBC BAS program. I needed the degree so I can get licenses in other states, even though I am licensed in two already. Very proud to say i have a degree in surveying. I really enjoyed the program and I think you will find add to your knowledge.
Awesome. I went to college at 34 and graduated at 38 with a BS in Surveying. One of the best decisions I ever made. Stick with it!
Edward Reading, post: 435641, member: 132 wrote: Awesome. I went to college at 34 and graduated at 38 with a BS in Surveying. One of the best decisions I ever made. Stick with it!
I remember when I was 38. Vaguely. It was a long time ago.
This degree is for me. Just so that I know that I can do it. That I was as smart as my family always tells me.
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That's odd. My high school government teacher told me he must be educating the wrong end of my anatomy because I sure am a smart a$$.
Congratulations! I am currently enrolled in the program, and have about 16 or so classes left to finish. I started last semester on my journey. I expect about 3-4 years. I took 2 classes in the spring, and did good. This summer is kicking my backside. I'll have to reconsider taking the summer classes again. They are accelerated. I will say that Byron Calkins is great. My statistics professor, Dr. John Newman, is pretty awesome as well. He is retired, but still does a few classes. I really like the text and his approach, but it is a tough class for me personally.
I am in the same boat as you, I don't need the degree, I just want it for me.
One thing to talk to Byron about is the proper year to "declare" your catalog year. I officially started under the 2016 catalog I believe. I was advised I can request a change to the 2017 catalog, and I can "subsititute" a CAD class for the class MGT441. The MGT441 is geared more towards Industrial engineering majors. It has nothing to do with surveying. Might be something to think about.
I have a BS in Forestry and fortunately any state in which I've worked recognizes that as a complimentary degree, which allowed me to write the exams. However, I graduated back in '02.
This spring, I started my mGIS degree at Penn State. Going to college (even online) in your 30s is no joke! Having responsibilities such as a family, supervisory position, etc. make it a delicate balancing act. So, kudos to you folks for starting!
Jawja, post: 435647, member: 12766 wrote: I remember when I was 38. Vaguely. It was a long time ago.
Ha! Me too. It is something that you will have for ever. Keep focused on the goal.
Congratulations!! Enjoy the experience.
Edward Reading, post: 435641, member: 132 wrote: Awesome. I went to college at 34 and graduated at 38 with a BS in Surveying. One of the best decisions I ever made. Stick with it!
Yep. I did not go back and get my BS degree until I was 30. Finished at 34. In fact was going to finish a Electronics Engineering degree. Saw these guys with cool looking kit out on the back 40 of campus and switched degrees. It's been all down hill since then....just kidding! I am 53 now and have enjoyed the profession/career more or less.
I remember Mr. Reading being there at the same time along with some other "older" folks.
Raybies, post: 435670, member: 9029 wrote: I have a BS in Forestry and fortunately any state in which I've worked recognizes that as a complimentary degree, which allowed me to write the exams. However, I graduated back in '02.
This spring, I started my mGIS degree at Penn State. Going to college (even online) in your 30s is no joke! Having responsibilities such as a family, supervisory position, etc. make it a delicate balancing act. So, kudos to you folks for starting!
Are you going for the GIS certificate or all the way to the Masters degree in one fell swoop?
What is your opinion of the program so far?
Paul
dig, post: 436298, member: 2485 wrote: Yep. I did not go back and get my BS degree until I was 30. Finished at 34. In fact was going to finish a Electronics Engineering degree. Saw these guys with cool looking kit out on the back 40 of campus and switched degrees. It's been all down hill since then....just kidding! I am 53 now and have enjoyed the profession/career more or less.
I remember Mr. Reading being there at the same time along with some other "older" folks.
I laughed the first time that they called me a "non-traditional student". 🙂 Very sobering to realize that you you are old enough to be the father of a lot of your classmates.
I'm starting with the certificate, but plan to go through and obtain the mGIS. It is good. Most of the professors are from the industry and have taught in the program for a number of years. One of my former Supervisors is a prof, and was the one that pushed me to do it.
Paul in PA, post: 436335, member: 236 wrote: Are you going for the GIS certificate or all the way to the Masters degree in one fell swoop?
What is your opinion of the program so far?
Paul
Edward Reading, post: 436338, member: 132 wrote: I laughed the first time that they called me a "non-traditional student". 🙂 Very sobering to realize that you you are old enough to be the father of a lot of your classmates.
NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT?
I was in NJIT's survey program at 55 a few years ago, the oldest in the room.
A breakdown of the class would be 1/3 traditional students, young and first degree, 1/3 long time field crew members and 1/3 degreed engineers, most PEs, going for a second degree. NJIT's program included some NJ PLSs going for the surveying degree.
I would surmise that it is not easy to say who is the traditional student when it comes to surveying programs.
In thinking about it, there are two other careers that see more than a small number of non-traditional students, nursing and divinity.
Paul in PA, PE, PLS
CONGRATULATIONS on your decision. Our society rewards formal education, but it is the personal challenge that will be the most fulfilling.
I started my formal education 5 years after my license. I longed to know the fundamentals and basics, not the button pushing. At this time I had a few years in college as a music major and a lot of general studies, but no degree.
I took most of my classes by driving 1.5 hours over Berthoud pass and back twice a week. My particular survey degree major also required a math minor. I relished the math classes and the fundamental survey/survey law classes (but admit I hated the math-required computer programing course). I also sat for 10 years on the PLSC education advisory committee. While this went on, two generations of electronic computer and GPS came and went obsolete. But, a debate took hold in committee about how our program and teacher was not modern enough. I found myself on the losing side of this argument - because I wanted our program to teach fundamentals, not buttons. The provost of the school heard that our teacher used old instruments, one thing led to another, and the school dropped the four year degree program.
I am one elective short of a math minor, and a few senior classes short of a full degree. But I am glad to this day that i chose to get the formal education that I did - license in hand.
Holy Cow, post: 435656, member: 50 wrote: That's odd. My high school government teacher told me
That's odd my High School Guidance Counselor told me to forget a career because I would be incarcerated my full adult life. 😉