Pre-Requisites to Becoming a Good Land Surveyor
Career issues are very subjective and no single self-help piece of literature can claim to provide a one-size-fits-all type of solution. However, every vocation demands a particular set of attributes that can easily be discerned by a keen eye. A career in land surveying is no exception. To this end, any person who intends to dabble in this field should cultivate the following competencies in order to achieve satisfactory levels of success:
- Good communication skills -- land surveying is done for people and by people. For example, a surveyor must engage clients; conduct the exercise in a team setting; and report findings to an audience. These tasks require active listening, comprehension, and people management skills. As such, anyone who is serious about long-term success in this field must develop good interpersonal skills.
- Excellent analytical skills -- land surveying involves a lot of mathematics and intricate procedures. Therefore, a career in this field requires an analytical mind and attention to details. This trait is particularly critical because slight margins of error have the potential to create large-scale repercussions. For example, missing a single foot in calculations can jeopardize an entire housing development project.
- Computer Literacy -- this aspect is not only applicable in land surveying, but in most areas of specialization. Technology has become pervasive in all spheres of life and surveying is no different. Numerous software have been developed that automate different facets of land surveying. To use such tools effectively, one requires a level of competence with computers. With more automation taking place every other day, the value of this skill cannot be overstated.
- Good record keeping -- land surveying relies on consistency of records because end users of documents are many and disparate (home owners, real estate developers, lawyers etc.). As mentioned earlier, the margins for error are very tight in this profession. Good surveyors must be good record keepers. Technology offers excellent tools to help with management of surveying documents, but accuracy and consistency depend on the individual.
- Statutes awareness -- land surveying is closely linked to property laws and regulations. To become an authority in the field, an individual requires a fundamental awareness of statutes. It is important to note that laws are specific to countries or level of administration. For example, land ownership laws in Australia will be different compared to those in the United States. A global understanding of law is even better because it allows one to practice across national borders.