Is anyone here a surveyor?

[syko]

Not sure if right place to post..

I am at a loss what to do next, I need a job that I can grow in, make plenty of money.
I don't mind working outside, but admit I don't want to be busting sidewalks with a sledgehammer.
I made the mistake of not going to college when I was younger and have free time.
Now I try to make sure that my son knows how important college is (even though some college grads are
not doing that great either.)
I'm 36, in a job that doesn't pay enough and I don't want to spend the next ten years slowly
making a couple of bucks more. Already been there coming up on two years.


I always see these guys that are surveying the land or other guys running around with a metal detector
wand and orange mark paint.
Are these two jobs related, I know the surveyors have their equipment and send some guy out with the target
thing (whatever it's called), out of those two, the guy not holding the stick is obviously making more money. :P

Then there are guys that I think are from the same company that are locating underground pipes, or wires.
What is the name of this occupation?

I have also been contemplating trying to work at the post office. I worked for a major delivery company for about 8 years
and did make pretty good money,but that ended. I'm used to driving and know a lot of areas around town.

So,
Anyone here work as a Mail person,surveyor, or metal detector in hand kinda job?

Looking for input, I live in Houston, If that matters.
Thanks for looking.

 

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[Tnmountains]

The guys marking with the spray paint are marking water and gas lines and stuff like that. They come out before I start construction or have heavy equiptment work done. The surveyors do ok if you are working. Overall construction has slowed down with most of the work being in renovations and not as much new. Technology is still a growing field. If I was in Houston I would consider the oil industry around there and Texas city. Try to get in a specialised niche. I did const out in Texas during the 80's during the boom days.
Now days the gov is your best protection, They will guarantee by taxes we keep paying their salarys. So if you can find a job with them you may be set for life.
Hope this helps and good luck. Oh yeah running fiber optic lines seems to be a hot field also.
Later
TnMountains

 

[vayank54]

The guys who mark utilities don't really make much. Like TN Mountains said surveyors do ok if they are working. But like he said too that has slowed down. I know in Va the companies that do fiber optics are working almost 24/7. Good luck I hope you can find something soon.

 

[stefen]

In answer to your question, a surveyor crew can be 2 or 3 men, one of which is the Party Cheif, a rodman and a chainman...each is paid according to his ability.

Obviously holding a rod or the dumb-end of a measuring tape isn't highly labor intensive nor does it take any great ability. The Party Chief, on the otherhand, is adept to using Algebra, geometry and trig to layout or to solve field problems.

The person that is higher up the food chain economically is the Civil Engineer or Registered Land Surveyor...both of which require a BA or BS degree and State licensure.

If you have the desire, take an introductory CADD course at a local trade school or Extension Program to become a Computer Aided Draftsman (CAD) and work in mechanical, electrical, engineering or architecture fields. If you find that this is for you, then take other advanced classes...graduates are usually highly sought after.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Re: Rodman makes more money......

He has to know what to locate and what is not relevant. You can make or break a budget with too many shots, or missing important data. Get it right the first time, second time out (unless it is boundary) is busting your budget. Boundaries are great, finding something someone set years, decades, even centuries ago. I once set my instrument up on a Mason Dixon monument to do boundary work. You are not going to make lots of money. Many states require a 4 year degree, however, these graduates often only want to do light work, or office work. Getting an engineering degree and license is way way easier. Make more money to boot. You have to be crazy, or so damn in love with surveying to do it. Mud, lots of blood from the multiflora rose, (may the person who imported that plant be in hell cutting line through it) Some days are the worst, third week of January, yes you will be out in it. Lately, I razz the office pukes because they can't enjoy God's great earth with the leaves turning. Get good, personable mentors. Surveyors are surveyors because they are not salesman. Many surveyors lack some personal attributes that are needed for social interaction. Yes I have the disease, rather be outside on my own than amongst strangers.

Chuck
I-man for now, former Party Chief before recession. Probably never work inside again.

 

[syko]

Cool, thanks guys, I wasn't sure how surveyors worked,but it seems like you're saying
they are on call? I need a steady 40hour week, can't afford to be waiting by the phone
for a job to come in.
The other thing about the CAD, I have no formal training in that, but I spend so much
time on the computer and have used 3D programs and learned a bit on my own.

There are people that design plants (refineries,not the green stuff) , and looks like something
I would like to do.Would be nice to work inside and get paid well.

I just have a hard time figuring out how to work now and get college training in that and financial aid?

Well, at least the surveying job seems to have gone down on the list of avenues..need steady work.
Maybe the post office would be the best option for now, while I try to figure out if I will make an effort
to learn something new.

I just hate that I waited so long to get a degree in something, been working since about 18 and it was full time,
so I never fit it in, just kept working,then family, time goes on and now I'm at a deadend.

I'm glad I found this forum because it's fun to see everyones finds. Gets my mind off some things for a while

/end story.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Not sure if right place to post..

I am at a loss what to do next, I need a job that I can grow in, make plenty of money.
I don't mind working outside, but admit I don't want to be busting sidewalks with a sledgehammer.
I made the mistake of not going to college when I was younger and have free time.
Now I try to make sure that my son knows how important college is (even though some college grads are
not doing that great either.)
I'm 36, in a job that doesn't pay enough and I don't want to spend the next ten years slowly
making a couple of bucks more. Already been there coming up on two years.


I always see these guys that are surveying the land or other guys running around with a metal detector
wand and orange mark paint.
Are these two jobs related, I know the surveyors have their equipment and send some guy out with the target
thing (whatever it's called), out of those two, the guy not holding the stick is obviously making more money. :P

Then there are guys that I think are from the same company that are locating underground pipes, or wires.
What is the name of this occupation?

I have also been contemplating trying to work at the post office. I worked for a major delivery company for about 8 years
and did make pretty good money,but that ended. I'm used to driving and know a lot of areas around town.

So,
Anyone here work as a Mail person,surveyor, or metal detector in hand kinda job?

Looking for input, I live in Houston, If that matters.
Thanks for looking.

SYKO,

Consider looking into Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). Course is approx 14-18 months, there are more and more required each year due to the baby boomers and the pay is very good. If I had it to do all over again I would go that route myself. Oh, and once your out of school, there is NO stress...........................

 

[Tnmountains]

You sir will do fine. Try the fiber optics as well.