Field to office transition
It's good that you're uncomfortable. Seeking comfort is the surest path to dissatisfaction. You have a lot to learn about office dynamics, time management, and how to help your team without micromanaging them. Until you start receiving indicators that you're good in the office, assume you suck and could do a lot better and that your office work is much more valuable than swinging a hammer or a machete. Recall all the things that annoyed you with the office folk while you worked in the field, and try to do something different or better. Ask questions, start assembling templates so you can duplicate reports efficiently. Identify your most productive time, covet it and use it to bust things out.
One other thing, people often become office hobbits by habit. When a crew guy is out sick, do you volunteer. Are your boots and vest there ready to go? Are you looking for opportunities to get into the field?
It’s good that you’re uncomfortable. Seeking comfort is the surest path to dissatisfaction.
Started a new challenge after 20 years in one place, and I had forgotten how wonderful that feeling of a new challenge is. The fear/excitement/curiosity is something we need to experience every so often.
I've had the experience of working for several different firms when I transitioned to the office and the experience to see how others are doing the same things in different ways. That gives you the opportunity to learn what does or does not work, as well as learning different management approaches. I think these are important things as on the management end, I've seen the good, bad and ugly. Experiencing these things are what make you well rounded in the end.
I was ready for a change when I went in to the office. I felt rejuvenated like starting a new career. Learning to run a computer and processing data from the field was very rewarding to me . It could be that there were a number of staff that had made the same transition, that made mine easy and enjoyable.
One thing I can say is that you will probably need to lean on someone to help teach you some of the office tasks like drafting, processing and other things that field personnel might not be accustomed to. The type of people in the office will make a big difference in how you grow. If you have good people that are willing to teach then you will most likely flourish but if you bad people, jealous, insecure or competitive then you have a problem. If you are surrounded with those bad types then get the experience you need and get out of there. No reason to waste your time, life is too short. Good luck!
I spent three days in the field the last two weeks. If I could do it I'd make it ten in two weeks.
The old adage of everyday in the field is better than any day in the office still holds.
Unless you're construction staking. There's always an exception that proves the rule.
I think you will be great in the office. One you have field experience and yes getting over the hurdle of software in an office setting is not fun at times but your ability to understand what you are needing and looking at will give you a better perspective to help those coming in to explain to them the WHY they need to be asking why when collecting data. You will see dots on the screen and have to make assumptions as often the field guys sometimes do the same like the office will fix that. That’s good enough. Why a sketch of manhole dips and a north arrow and or a point number make things easier in office. All those little things that you have been taught you can now teach the others and when the phone rings and a crew is struggling you will know the right questions to ask in order to direct them to the correct approach. I love the outdoors and find nothing more rewarding than surveying outside and solving problems. The problem is age my body. I am good for a hard few days then I can barely move. I can do more if I take my time and go slow but I am not built that way so it is difficult for me not to go all out when I am out in the field. I went this past week for an emergency job. Hiked in 1500 feet through cut over timber and hills to get to a swamp to find some back pins and such. Then back out . I left the office chair at 1130 drove an hour did the work tied it to the fronts and back by 530. The next morning I could barely get my legs and knees moving. No helper just me now pre USMC that would be a cake walk now that hurts lol. But hey I was following old chopped lines on nice hardwoods and softwood along with monuments. Loved that. Get the office side down and it will make you better in the field. You can always go back to the field. The office side will gain you even more perspective. Good luck.
This very question is why I think eventually I will have to start my own company because I don't think anyone is going to pay me a manager's salary for me to dash out into the field and solve problems myself whenever I feel it's warranted.
I go through stints of 3-4 days in the office then a week in the field and so on. I remember working for some companies where very good surveyors hadn't touched an instrument in decades. I honestly think I would miss it. Once you get good at using any kind of tool or instrument, it almost becomes an extension of yourself and when you're forced to give it up, it's like cutting off a limb.
As others have already pointed out, being stuck in a office, away from the fresh air, sun and insect bites, will dampen your mood. Maybe it gets easier as you get older and going up and down steep inclines feels like your soul is being sucked out of you. There are days when I wish I was in the office full time and there are days when the office feels like a box.
