51 years ago today I started my survey career at a company in Wilson NC. Couldn't even spell surveying! Now, 51 years later I can't imagine what else I could have done that would have been as enjoyable and satisfying as this. Still working and love most days.
Congratulations to a fellow geezer. 51 years ago I was about six weeks away from graduating with my engineering degree and navigating the REAL WORLD. When you have spent what seems to be your entire life in school the concept of doing anything else is dramatic. Add in a wife and 13 month-old child to make the future seem extra-daunting. Plus moving several States away from both home and university was scary.
January 1964, on the far end of the Fort Lauderdale airport, Don Fell said to me, "You could probably pass the land surveyor exam." And I had no idea what that was. Never heard of land surveyor. Three years later I was one. Thank you Don for planting the idea in my head. What a life changer that simple comment was.
50 years ago I was a high school sophomore approaching summer break. My survey mentor, HJ "Jack" Kraettli, hired me as a rodman on a 3 man crew. My first instruction from my party chief, Tom Mosher, was take this (level) rod and give me a shot on that fire hydrant top nut.
I had absolutely no idea what he meant.
8 years later I got my Colorado PLS and spent 20 years in the profession and also acquired my Washington state PLS in that time.
Thank you and rest-in-peace Jack and Tommy.
@notsomuch LOL
I crawled in the back of a van as a rodman on a 3 man boundary crew in March of 1986. The Party Chief handed me a plumbob and sheath. "Here's your plumbob, dont lose it ! " I still have it !
Coming up on 40 years next summer. I was a budding young glaciologist on a research expedition when the head of the program looked at me and determined that I was big enough to carry my kit along with a T-2. Next thing you know, I was on the ice learning to survey. I enjoyed it so much when I got back to school, I started taking all of the survey classes I could.
P.s. I still have my first plumb bob.
@gary_g Same here. My plumb bob lives on the top shelf of my tool chest. I even use it occassionally.