Surveyor

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
• Analyze physical, survey, or geographic data.
• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
• Gather physical survey data.
• Verify mathematical calculations.
• Maintain operational records or records systems.
• Prepare operational reports.
• Gather physical survey data.
• Document technical design details.
• Verify mathematical calculations.

Typical Working Conditions

• Having telephone conversations.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Working outdoors exposed to weather.
• Working with a group or team.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
• Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Responsibility for outcomes and results.
• Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.

Tools & Technology used by Surveyors

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Surveyors

• Mathematics—Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Managing People—Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Teaching—Teaching others how to do something.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Managing Time—Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Surveyors

• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Geography—Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Law and Government—Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing high growth compared to other careers. There will be a 6.7% growth for Surveyors to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career requires at least a Bachelor’s degree, and many professionals also have a Masters degree. This career does require a license.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Accounting
• Algebra I and II
• Blueprint Reading
• Business Computer Applications
• CAD Design
• Drafting
• Electronics
• Geometry
• Physics
• Technical Writing
• Trigonometry
• Woodworking

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise