At The Survey School we receive email and phone enquiries from across the globe from those eager to get into surveying. We are always happy to advise on surveying careers. The people who contact us range in age, from school leavers to those who have been working for several decades in a related field and are keen to make a sideways move.
Land surveying is a profession that can be overlooked and often operates “behind the scenes”, yet its impact is felt in every new building, road and public project, and the demand for qualified professionals continues to grow.
Many people start their surveying journey with a passion for the outdoors and a keen interest in maths and geography or technology. Some may have found inspiration from friends or family who already work in the industry – or simply by accident!
Getting into land surveying
We’ve started to ask our course attendees how they discovered their current jobs in and what led them to surveying as a career. Here are just a few of their responses:
“I enjoy the outdoors and wanted a job that was a mixture of site work and office based”
“I got into it by pure chance. I saw an advert in the local newspaper for a Trainee Land Surveyor. The idea of working outdoors was what appealed to me initially.”
“It was a happy accident. My mum spotted a job advert in the local paper for something called an Assistant Land Surveyor.”
“I just spotted something on LinkedIn.”
Memorable moments as a surveyor
Many surveyors can recount memorable moments in the field—the thrill of hiking to a remote location and setting up equipment under a clear blue sky – or in the pouring rain! The variety is the thing that appeals.
“As my tolerance to the wind and rain developed, so did my interest in surveying!”
“It’s fun, it’s complex, it gets my brain going. I enjoy being outside and in new places every day.”
“I needed a challenge as I was working inside a lab prior to this and that was very monotonous.”
While the technical aspects of surveying are significant, so too is the camaraderie developed among professionals. Many surveyors also recount experiences of teamwork, that cement a love for a profession that’s not desk-bound.
For those that stay with it, there’s also the potential for career progression – moving into managerial positions, specialising in niche areas or setting up your own business.
With the support of The Survey School, aspiring surveyors can find a pathway that suits them, whether starting from scratch or advancing their careers. Our short courses are designed to lay a solid foundation for those new to surveying. We recommend starting with five essential courses—Levelling, Total Stations, 5-Day Surveying, 2-Day GNSS, and 2-Day AutoCAD.
For those who have gained several months of experience, there is the more in-depth TSA Surveying Course, which also leads to a ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Surveying. Successful graduates not only receive a diploma, but also become eligible for various professional memberships, enhancing their career prospects significantly.
You might take a look at The Survey Association’s jobs page for any trainee surveying jobs in your area. There are also apprentice opportunities available. Apprenticeships are for people of all ages – not just for school or college leavers. There are opportunities for those looking to change careers or progress, such as this one, https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeship/reference/1000323052
To find out more about our TSA Surveying Course, go to https://www.surveyschool.org.uk/the-course/#book-now