Hi Guys!
((I can generally use that safely in the middle of a bunch of surveyors because only about 1% of us in the States are female.))
I have been surveying for over a decade. I was licensed last year in Missouri, where I live. I was licensed this year in Texas, where I am from and where I hope to return next year. I am currently trying to get Illinois to let me take their exam.
My degree is in forestry and I became a certified arborist to meet more municipal requirements to have arborists sign tree surveys.
i love following surveyors on Instagram. Its a hoot! We take a lot of photos.
I love almost everything about surveying, except the bad days. You know those days? And mud. I really can't stand mud.
Apparently, I have been a member for almost 2 years but I don't really remember joining. Probably a late night thing... Anyways, i am looking forward to visiting a bit more.
--- Heather
Well, welcome (again) to the forum.
I can see why surveying is mostly male.
There tends to be aspects of this that are not real well suited for many ladies.
For one, all the bugs, mosquitos, and harsh environment.
My daughters like mud.. But only with a good bath nearby!
Surveying can be downright harsh.
Even the language on the crews....
My dad used to work with Mr.Wilson, "Robilard and Wilson".
Mr Wilson once told him: "Freddy, you'd better like surveying better'n sex, or you'll never make it as a surveyor".
Surveying can be brutal, and harsh.
Just yesterday, I was in the field, and a tornado went over us. I was determined to get done. When the big raindrops started pelting us, I knew it was over... The Javad LS has a touch screen, and it responds to those raindrops, like input presses on the touch screen. I forgot my clear shower cap... Sun was shining when I put the base out.
Well, we made it home. Power has been out since 4pm Thu. Wife picked some 100 ticks off me. No shower. Sun came back out, after I got home.
Today, I want to river, and got a good bath.
And, I got a small generator going, to keep the freezer frozen, and refrigerator good. It can even run the well, but not at the same time.
Well, a few minutes ago, my wife dug 2 thorns out of me.
And, we still have to go back to finish that survey. And, several surveyors ahead of me all missed an important corner...
Surveying is not for everyone.
But, I like it. You have to like it, to stick to it.
Welcome to land surveying.
Btw, I love tree work. I have done it free hand, not much gear.
As I age, I think I want a double wide oversized recliner, for the missus and me. And maybe some grandkids.
N
Welcome Heather.
Howdy Heather, welcome to the site.
Ain't it is great to be from Texas :clink:
Welcome Heather. My VP is also a female RPLS. She is undoubtedly the best employee in the whole place. 🙂
Through the years there have been quite a number of female participants on this board and its predecessors. I, for one, appreciate learning of the various perspectives of the same profession. Thanks for jumping in. Now, start posting a minimum of 12 times per day.
"I really can't stand mud."...HERESY BY A SURVEYOR?! it's the best profession to play in the mud and get paid for it.
welcome anyway ;^)
Holy Cow, post: 381311, member: 50 wrote: Through the years there have been quite a number of female participants on this board and its predecessors.
Really? define "quite a number "
I can only think of less than a handful of licensed women who have participated here through the many,many years. To name the few ....Theresa (CO/Iraq),Liz (Fl), ahh its getting difficult to remember ...Chrissie (MI) from many years ago...who was kind of run off by bigoted comments from some posters.
Other than that maybe a few Field and/or CADD. I can remember one , Julie (MD) but there may have been others. There have been a few wife's of surveyors....one was also a realtor in Fl.
Maybe there were others but memory failure here.
Even Angel doesn't post much here since she became involved with other important interest and work.
I would to think that there is a substantial number of lurkers as the profession grows by education.
Surveying hasn't been very welcoming to minorities. I have only known a couple of licensed women and worked with only field crew member.
I am sure that there are women working everywhere but they are not posting here.
Welcome Heather. Congrats on your MO and TX licenses. That may be a first here that I know.
Both state's requirements are very rigorous for testing the knowledge of the surveyor.
I would think Illinois would be less so.
headywest, post: 381279, member: 9223 wrote:
I love almost everything about surveying, except the bad days. You know those days? And mud. I really can't stand mud.
Welcome, Heather. You will probably get used to mud in time. You certainly will if you spend much time on rough-graded construction sites. Good rubber boots help a lot. Focusing on the job helps even more.
In Minnesota there are 10 or 15 female RPLS's out of about 550 total registrants. The ones I know all do top-notch work. The state societies in Minnesota and Wisconsin have each had two female presidents.
I think it was C&G surveying software that was "The Muddy Boots GUYS". I'm not sure what that says about us surveyors.
The profession does need help. More diversity will help.
Welcome Heather.
Nate The Surveyor, post: 381286, member: 291 wrote: Well, welcome (again) to the forum.
I can see why surveying is mostly male.
There tends to be aspects of this that are not real well suited for many ladies.
For one, all the bugs, mosquitos, and harsh environment.
My daughters like mud.. But only with a good bath nearby!
Surveying can be downright harsh.
Even the language on the crews....
My dad used to work with Mr.Wilson, "Robilard and Wilson".
Mr Wilson once told him: "Freddy, you'd better like surveying better'n sex, or you'll never make it as a surveyor".
Surveying can be brutal, and harsh.
Just yesterday, I was in the field, and a tornado went over us. I was determined to get done. When the big raindrops started pelting us, I knew it was over... The Javad LS has a touch screen, and it responds to those raindrops, like input presses on the touch screen. I forgot my clear shower cap... Sun was shining when I put the base out.
Well, we made it home. Power has been out since 4pm Thu. Wife picked some 100 ticks off me. No shower. Sun came back out, after I got home.
Today, I want to river, and got a good bath.
And, I got a small generator going, to keep the freezer frozen, and refrigerator good. It can even run the well, but not at the same time.
Well, a few minutes ago, my wife dug 2 thorns out of me.
And, we still have to go back to finish that survey. And, several surveyors ahead of me all missed an important corner...
Surveying is not for everyone.
But, I like it. You have to like it, to stick to it.
Welcome to land surveying.
Btw, I love tree work. I have done it free hand, not much gear.
As I age, I think I want a double wide oversized recliner, for the missus and me. And maybe some grandkids.
N
Only in the US, Nate. On Instagram there is a huge number of women in surveying. Women in college programs. Women in the field. It's quite eye opening. I know my physical limitations in the field. I'm short. I'm not as strong. After 11 years, I still can't open a manhole alone. But otherwise I've never been in a situation where I couldn't work under the conditions right along side my male coworkers. If it is hot or cold or miserable --- that's just surveying. I love the history. I love the variety. I don't love construction staking but who does?
I've been tick covered, soaked, mud up to my hips. I've also seen great views and got to know amazing people I never would have met outside of surveying. I have said if I have to work, surveying isn't a bad job to have.
PS --- hope the power is back on!
A Harris, post: 381291, member: 81 wrote: Howdy Heather, welcome to the site.
Ain't it is great to be from Texas :clink:
In fairness, I wasn't born there. Took me until I was in 4th grade to get there. And I've lived in Missouri longer for a single stretch than I lived anywhere else. But Texas is home
Holy Cow, post: 381311, member: 50 wrote: Through the years there have been quite a number of female participants on this board and its predecessors. I, for one, appreciate learning of the various perspectives of the same profession. Thanks for jumping in. Now, start posting a minimum of 12 times per day.
Well I am on Facecation so I'm finding myself with free time!
Robert Hill, post: 381322, member: 378 wrote: Really? define "quite a number "
I can only think of less than a handful of licensed women who have participated here through the many,many years. To name the few ....Theresa (CO/Iraq),Liz (Fl), ahh its getting difficult to remember ...Chrissie (MI) from many years ago...who was kind of run off by bigoted comments from some posters.
Other than that maybe a few Field and/or CADD. I can remember one , Julie (MD) but there may have been others. There have been a few wife's of surveyors....one was also a realtor in Fl.
Maybe there were others but memory failure here.Even Angel doesn't post much here since she became involved with other important interest and work.
I would to think that there is a substantial number of lurkers as the profession grows by education.
Surveying hasn't been very welcoming to minorities. I have only known a couple of licensed women and worked with only field crew member.
I am sure that there are women working everywhere but they are not posting here.Welcome Heather. Congrats on your MO and TX licenses. That may be a first here that I know.
Both state's requirements are very rigorous for testing the knowledge of the surveyor.
I would think Illinois would be less so.
Can't say how the test is in IL --- haven't gotten that far!
How do you feel about tree ID by Surveyors?
I have seen some shops that shy away from making ID beyond Coniferous, Deciduous, Cedar and others where the expectation was that field crew ID every single tree, a task which I have found a little daunting and dubious with no training.
I feel that the best fit is somewhere in the middle, where the Surveyor in charge knows when to hire out the ID.
party chef, post: 381357, member: 98 wrote: How do you feel about tree ID by Surveyors?
I have seen some shops that shy away from making ID beyond Coniferous, Deciduous, Cedar and others where the expectation was that field crew ID every single tree, a task which I have found a little daunting and dubious with no training.
I feel that the best fit is somewhere in the middle, where the Surveyor in charge knows when to hire out the ID.
Surveyors including party chiefs must have tree ID skills and knowledge in their trick bag of surveying. Besides general knowledge for topo or site plans, one must be able to locate BTs when doing corner investigations. Sometimes you need to analyze stump holes as part of the science.
There are many field guides that can be kept in truck. The best guide here is free and distributed by cooperative extension. There are also phone apps like Leaf Snap. Unless the tree is some non-native exotic ornamental, there is no excuse not to properly ID the tree.
Dendrology is definitely part of land surveying.
headywest, post: 381279, member: 9223 wrote: Hi Guys!
I really can't stand mud.
--- Heather
Welcome.
Try out some Ice-nine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice-nine
Loyal
Loyal, post: 381362, member: 228 wrote: ..Try out some Ice-nine...
Bokonon would approve.
Wow! There are more of us! I have a BS in Forestry, started surveying as a rodman during the summers between classes, 5 years post-college I became licensed in Cali, three years after that, licensed in Michigan, and I'm currently looking into Indiana.
I mostly lurk unless it is Trimble, geodesy, or GIS related and grabs my interest.
Welcome back.
party chef, post: 381357, member: 98 wrote: How do you feel about tree ID by Surveyors?
I have seen some shops that shy away from making ID beyond Coniferous, Deciduous, Cedar and others where the expectation was that field crew ID every single tree, a task which I have found a little daunting and dubious with no training.
I feel that the best fit is somewhere in the middle, where the Surveyor in charge knows when to hire out the ID.
The problem I always see and hear about when talking to surveyors about tree id is that they were never taught how to properly use a tree id key. They honestly don't know where to start. They use the wrong guide for their area. They don't understand the fundamentals (opposite, alternate, simple, compound). If you start with a good foundation it is relatively easy to make a good id to the genus level.
Do I think that a surveyor or his field crew can make an accurate id? Given the proper training and tools, yes. But just because someone grows up somewhere, outside, and says they 'know' their trees doesn't mean they know their trees. Common names vary across the US and the same species may have several.
I see crews going out without field guides and without d-tapes and I wonder why a surveyor would sign his name on that? We are so careful to certify only to what we know and yet does that surveyor really feel like he knows the accuracy of a tree id?