Is 40 too old to begin a surveying career?

WIs 40 too old to begin a surveying career?

What state are you in, or would like to work in?

Do you have any experince?

WIs 40 too old to begin a surveying career?

I'm in Minnesota. No experience at this time. I would be starting fresh.

I went to college at 38 and did a 2 year survey tech course. Best thing I ever did.
So no, I don't think so. Go for it.

If you're starting from scratch, you might not get licensed for 10 years or forever, depending on your state's requirements for education and your education. For supporting a family, is it the sole income? If you are doing minimum wage jobs right now, it should be a step up. If you have no experience or education in surveying you might not move up at lightening speed.

Most of us love the work, and we might be jealous of some fields that get higher pay, it is great work in my opinion.

I am 44. Been at it for 32 years so far. Figure I've got another 40 years to go.

Jump in, the water is fine.

Welcome.

I'm pretty sure age isn't a determining factor. Your determination, past experience that can be built on and personal circumstances would likely be higher up on that list. I got a fairly late start, but I had a do or die determination and it worked out just fine for me. Starting out I asked one of the first surveyors I ever worked for what it would take for me to get licensed. His answer? 'Time'. Worked out to be about ten years to be exact.

> I'm new to the forum. Just found it today so I hope I'm not asking something that been asked a million times. I'm looking to change careers at the age of 40. I was just looking for opinions and what people in the field might think. Is it too old? Is it a good career for supporting a family? I figure at 40 I still have over 20 years of working ahead me.

Don't matter that you're new. Welcome to the land of know it all's. That's what us surveyors do, and no doubt you'll have varying thoughts on your matter at hand.

Me, I went to 'da Tech over there across Lake Gitche Gumee from dat der Duluth. But I had it planned at 20 or so. Here I am 60 and figure I've got another 20 yrs left too. My math says 40 yrs or so, and they've been good for the most part. Self guy for over 20 of those. It used to be more fun until they invented GPS, now it's not - it's smarter than me. But since nobody has an on switch in my economy, there in lies the 20 more yrs.

If you like gizmo's and working outside (MN - brrrr, mosquitoes - ewwww), then go for it. Why not? Doubt you'll make much money for a few years but the work is very rewarding if you keep the right attitude about it. Every job is truly different, even as repetitious as it may appear. Don't know what else I'd do...

Best of luck to ya grasshopper, and don't be shy around here. Even if I hate your football team, both the Vikes and now you have my Little Brown Jug.... grrrrr. I'm ok with the Wild and glad you have that back and wish them well for Lord Stanley vs my Wings. And of course Go Spartans!!! 😉

Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but why does it take 10 years to get licensed? And what changes when you actually get a license?

> Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but why does it take 10 years to get licensed? And what changes when you actually get a license?

Your state will require experience and/or education, before you can sit for the test. Most states require you to pass an SIT (Surveyor in Training) test, hold a responsible position for a specified length of time, before you can test for your license.

What changes? You can be sued....o.O

You need to love the outdoors and be willing to work in all conditions; in rough terrain, with thick brush. I've been surveying for 39 years; I'd rather cut line through blackberries in a swamp, in the rain, at 40d; than sit at a desk.....

In a nutshell, there is a lot to learn. Most states licensing requirements now require a degree along with a certain number of years of documented work experience under the supervision of a licensed surveyor, before you can even apply to take the tests. Construction surveying is the exception as typically property boundaries are not involved. Others here can give you the full breakdown if you tell them what state your in.

I'm in the same camp as RADAR. I'm fortunate in that I get to do it all. It's one of those, if you don't love it, you will definitely hate it things.

Not Always 10 Years To Licensing

Depending on the state you could become an LSIT immediately after graduating a 2 year college. Being an LSIT can get you a job anywhere.

Typically after becoming an LSIT 2, 3 or 4 years experience is required to sit for the PLS exam. Consider 5-6 years as minimum to be licensed.

Be choosy about the job you take as many states only consider your boundary line work as useable experience, where many companies may want to keep you pounding hubs for stakeout. Find a company that agrees with your goal and that job may be at lesser pay.

Consider colleges that offer work study as that is also a way to gain experience. Also consider that some states only require a Survey Certificate as the first step in licensing. Typically that is a 1 year program.

Answer these questions, and you can more readily receive guidance.

What is your current work experience?

Where are you located?

Where are you willing to go?

Is your spouse on board?

Paul in PA

What changes when you become licensed is now you are one, to use the vernacular. It opens the door to greater learning and opportunities. People see you differently. You will still have a lot to learn, but it is a big step up the ladder.

Not Always 10 Years To Licensing

Currently I'm in my 12th year in the mental health field. Working most of those with kids. Before that I did remodeling and cabinet making.
I'm in MN and would like to stay in MN.
My wife knows I'm ready for a change and is on board with almost anything.
I have an opportunity for another job but it involves a tie, a desk, computer and phone. I'm not too interested in a desk job.

Staying In Minnesota?

St. Cloud University has the only program in MN. Essentially their surveying BS is the last 2 years after you have an associates degree. If you had a BS in engineering you could take their certificate program and qualify to sit.

http://www.stcloudstate.edu/academics/programs/sopa-land-surveying-certificate.aspx

There are 43 States and Puerto Rico which have some type od surveying certificate or degree program. There are bout 70 different institutions offering these programs. Several offer distance learning opportunities.

Research Saint Cloud and the Minnesota surveying statutes then consider other possibilities.

Paul in PA

Do You Have A Degree In Your Field?

Having a degree can help you to jump past the first 2 years of most programs. Given a semester for certain catch up courses, a BS degree may be doable in 5 semesters. I am assuming a mental health degree may have more of the sciences than other BA degrees.

Paul in PA

Not Always 10 Years To Licensing

Just about every surveyor (even engineers) are looking for smart and conscientious people to hire, even part time. The part time gig seems to fit you well. Can to pull that off and keep what you're doing going? That would be ideal, and then you'd have a better idea.

There is not one effective surveyor who has not has significant office time doing "whatever" in their early years. Maybe downloading data collectors, maybe running to the gobm't office for whatever research need to be done, maybe deliver some drawings to a client - just be involved. Somebody needs to do it. Just stay sincerely interested if it seems interesting to you. They've got a business to run too.

PS - mega kudo's for the kid services. Tough job too, sometimes tougher because there are no statute of limitations. It is a one shot deal, and I think you know that.

Good luck to ya

edit: forgot about the Minnysoota thingy. Can't say I blame you there. I often wish I was back in Grand Rapids, even Marquette or Houghton. Different kinds of people there. The do not make many here, we're all transplants. But I still don't like your football team(s)...lol 😉

Not Always 10 Years To Licensing

With your background in the mental health field you should be a natural for the world of surveying. If the boss or your co-workers aren't nuts, the clients will be. Inside joke. Daughter is a counselor for a good-sized mental health facility.

I would recommend searching out a few surveying firms in your immediate area. Learn what you can about them, then approach the top dog at your first choice and explain your goals and current situation. Starting at the bottom is the fastest way to learn what it is all about. If the work suits you and your talents learned elsewhere contribute to making you a valuable employee, you will have opportunities to climb the ladder. Becoming licensed and running your own firm is a million miles into the future at this point. First you need to find out if the work is something you will learn to enjoy. Then, more importantly, which parts of the work is most attractive to you.

If you get an entry level job, you may get good at the tasks but never learn enough of what's going on in the equipment and why you do what they tell you to do. That's what the education is about.

Before committing to a career change, you might want to get a basic surveying textbook and see whether you find it to be the sort of thing you find easy to learn in order to move up.

One of my favorite basic surveying books is Wolf and Ghilani. I also learned a lot about what the electronics does for you, and how it used to be done manually with greater understanding, from a book from the "good ole days", by Davis, Foote, and Kelly.

And following the technical and practical discussions on this forum is an education in itself.

Staying In Minnesota?

Thanks. There's St. Cloud and then there is a program at Dunwoody Community College for a Survey Tech. Does a survey tech do the same types of things someone with a BS in land surveying will do? Or if you become a survey tech do you need more education beyond that at some point?