Hello all, I wanted to get some advice from those in the surveying field.
I have been working as a LiDAR analyst for the past 4 and half years--processing LiDAR, feature extraction, classification, generating DEMs, etc. I have an undergrad degree in urban planning and a GIS certificate but recently completed a certificate in geomatics and am continuing with a masters in geomatics. My geomatics certificate would let me sit for the PSM exam here in Florida but I need the surveying experience.
Recently, there has been an opening for a survey technician in my same company but at another office. I'm tempted to apply as I really would like the survey experience and to eventually become a PSM and broaden my geospatial experience.
I have a lot of general geospatial experience working as a LiDAR analyst and have classroom with my certificate in geomatics/surveying, but I know surveying is a different animal. Do you think this would be a good career move and would my LiDAR experience would be a plus?
LidarGuy, post: 368280, member: 11602 wrote: Hello all, I wanted to get some advice from those in the surveying field.
I have been working as a LiDAR analyst for the past 4 and half years--processing LiDAR, feature extraction, classification, generating DEMs, etc. I have an undergrad degree in urban planning and a GIS certificate but recently completed a certificate in geomatics and am continuing with a masters in geomatics. My geomatics certificate would let me sit for the PSM exam here in Florida but I need the surveying experience.
Recently, there has been an opening for a survey technician in my same company but at another office. I'm tempted to apply as I really would like the survey experience and to eventually become a PSM and broaden my geospatial experience.
I have a lot of general geospatial experience working as a LiDAR analyst and have classroom with my certificate in geomatics/surveying, but I know surveying is a different animal. Do you think this would be a good career move and would my LiDAR experience would be a plus?
Sounds like you a building a great resume. Any geospacial experience as you described would be a great asset to a larger firm that deals with projects beyond the mom and pop boundary work. (You'll need that experience as well to go full circle but it sounds like you have time for that down the road as you continue to build your resume of work). Many of our survey techs and project surveyors have to deal with incorporating geospacial data such as GIS layers or lidar data created by others. In some cases we are also required to provide GIS deliverable's along with the professional service products such as topo's and boundary maps.
If its another position in your firm, I would say start talking about it. Does your manager know your goals for adding diversity? Can they layout a 5 year plan that allows you to work in both areas / departments of the firm? Just applying cold turkey sounds a bit odd unless your firm is so large that it is set up that way. Start talking and get proactive in your career path! Good luck.
