When will I be useful to a potential employer?

Every (non-solo) field crew has a rodman. That's still the entry point to the profession for most, even the college educated. Many start in such positions with no specialized education at all.

So you are ready now.

I don't know about Australia, but most firms here will hire Geomatics students if for no other reason than because we want you after you graduate. That's not the only reason, of course.

Like Norman said. You can be useful right away, especially with a desire to learn. I could have you making money for me within minutes of hitting the job site. Try for internships right away!

Have fun

Dtp

Because of your clear understanding of your limitations AND because of your clearly expressed desire to learn, you are ready now.

Go get 'em tiger.

As mentioned, there are entry level positions available to you. As far as a checklist, as someone who just ran through a bunch of potential help recently. I want someone who is reliable, trustworthy and honest, anything else, we can train.

My first survey employer wanted me specifically because I had zero experience. He said he didn't want someone where he would have to break some previously learned bad habits. I was immediately qualified and offered the job on the spot.

I'd say you are good to go right now.
E.

Except you will be surveying at some odd angle to us. Australia is around on the other side of the world to us!

Keep your chin up.

N

>. He said he didn't want someone where he would have to break some previously learned bad habits.

[sarcasm]No better time than the present to start learning new bad habits[/sarcasm]

I say that in jest, because really you hear that everywhere you go after you gain some experience. Everyone has "their way" and as you learn from different folks you will put together a little from each and come up with "your way" then you can start breaking newbies of "their" bad habits:-S

As a former employer of such people the first and most important thing I looked for was their genuine interest in what we do. Nobody wants anybody who considers what we do as "a job". We do get paid pretty well, but we all have the passion for what we do.

No passion, no job.

Best of luck to you grasshopper, seems like you've got the knack and are not afraid to ask valid questions. Contact RADU, he's a pretty good authority here who is from that land down under.

> So I wanted to ask, at what point would I be deemed useful?

I have seen a lot of new guys come and go. One of my greatest accomplishments is seeing those I have trained and mentored succeeding.

You are useful when:

1. When you are humble enough to willingly do the dirty work, to listen to instruction, and to do what you are told even when you don't fully understand (congruent with safety). Sometimes doing comes before understanding.
2. When are motivated to work hard, fast, and long. If you see sweating and breathing hard as a benefit, I will find a way to teach you.
3. When you decide to never ever ever complain, and always have a good attitude on display.
4. When you are the the first one out of the truck, or at work at your desk...have a goal to outwork every single person around you.
5. When you decide that it is your commitment to always tell the truth, and that you will never lie.

The technical stuff you learn lessens how much I need to teach you, but the above is what makes you useful.

David Myhill
Senior Party Chief
PLS

I've never met anyone that showed up on their first day on the job that was ready for what lay in store for them at their job, not even the new owner of the company.

Start as soon as you can find a position.

😉

Well stated David. My first newbie was a kid that was ready to graduate from HS. He was already accepted at Ferris State (that's in MI), but enrolled in a local community college to advance towards his BS in Surveying. We worked together for about 8 yrs or so. He wanted to learn and learn and was pretty geeked about it. Very cool IMHO.

When I pulled the trigger to go solo and buy gizmo do it yourself equipment, I called around and got him a very good job as a party chief with a bigger firm. I know he has since obtained his PLS and is happier than a pig in poop. Not sure if he's hung his own shingle or not, but he likely will at some point.

I won't talk about the few guys I fired. That's a tough one, even for a cynical jerk like me. But Paul Scutter is a success story in my life, and I like to think he looks at me as one of his mentors.

Warm & fuzzies OFF. Go Colts. Go Packers. Go Red Wings.

You are ready when you show up with and maintain, a positive attitude, a can-do work ethic
and are not afraid to ask questions when you don't know something or need further direction.

IMHO you'd benefit tremendously later in your education by getting some hands on entry level experience which as others have stated mostly requires a positive attitude and healthy energetic disposition. You'll later be in a better position to relate your academic activities to real world experience. My first surveying jobs involved grunt work, but it put me in a good position to be an observer. Many a surveyor got their start that way and will appreciate your fresh enthusiasm.

The only requirement I have for a new hire is the willingness and the ability to learn
As long as you are wanting to learn how to become a land surveyor I would hire you
Right away. I want people that are on time and that don't lay out of work.
If you start your career now it will help you with your studies later on.
Any land surveying firm would be glad to hire you because they already know
That your willing to learn and that your not going to treat it just like another job.
Good luck, I hope you find work soon and good luck with your studies.
P.S. Pay very close attention in class. The test to get your license is no joke but it's easy
As long as you learn the material while your in school.

Go Hawks!

> Warm & fuzzies OFF. Go Colts. Go Packers. Go Red Wings.

All good there, except the Packers thing...they are DOOMED. But, at least they are used to losing in Seattle. The mental pain will be something they are used to.

Go Hawks!

Ok, I think I'll nod my acceptance to your Hawks. Pretty impressive bunch there, always liked the way Russell Wilson takes care of business, and that D speaks for itself. I have zero regard for the coach though, but am aware of his success and have to nod that too. But I almost hope they repeat just to shut up the media, if for no other reason. Lynch and Lacy will be the factors though, not the QB's.

I just like Green Bay because they are the left coast of my favorite lake. The barn burner will be in Beantown, and I would not be putting any moola on either team if I were so inclined as to bet. Luck is luck and the Brady Bunch are more than formidable, but I do tend to lean towards the beaners.

Can't wait till Sun. Gonna be a good one.

Thanks muchly guys.

I really appreciate your words of advice. Although, I feel that should come clean and let you all know that I am not as young as some of you guys might think... Haha.

Just to give you a few lines of background about me for context, I was a qualified accountant in a past life, and have figured out at the age of 28 that actually, I don't want to do accounting. After doing much research on possible career changes, I've decided on surveying, and am now doing a Bachelors of Applied Science (Surveying) with RMIT University in Melbourne Australia. I've been really enjoying it, and have maintained some fairly decent grades in my subjects so far.

I've had a quick look into types of surveying, and to be honest, land surveying/cadastral doesn't seem to interest me all that much. I think I would be more interested in engineering or mining, or even hydrographic. Basically, I want to be involved with large projects, or something that would take me to some weird and wonderful locations.
But if I gain employment in one specialisation, would it be easy to switch to another some time down the track?

Thanks again for your advice. I will definitely be looking for some time to update my résumé this weekend.

The fact that you're even thinking this way (asking the questions) in my mind makes the answer "Oh Hell yes"

I studied Surveying at QUT and started as a channie, no experience besides helping my dad level a few pads, 1st year. I knew nothing but I was willing to learn. My employer was great, and I still talk to him. I learnt a lot more on the job that really helped with my study.

I stayed there for a bit after graduating but the market wasn't there for me unfortunately and I had to move on.

The sooner you start working, the better off you'll be.