John Blesh

Yes. There is very little risk of getting bored as the type of work varies greatly from job to job. Each survey presents its own challenges. Obstacles can be anything from field logistics (including weather, accessibility, or challenging locations), to design specs, to challenging boundary resolutions where historical data is lacking. In a typical week I could go from a remote mountain location, to a construction site, to searching old maps in a county basement.

The office work involves the preparation of design data or processing of site data. I spend a large amount of time performing site design for the landfill which includes 3D modeling for use in GPS guided heavy equipment operation. The landfill uses the most modern machine control systems for site grading and construction. I will take the engineering design file and convert it to a workable file that can be loaded into the GPS guided machines, which includes two Caterpillar compactors, dozers, and excavators.

Anyone entering the surveying profession would have to have a willingness to learn new technologies. The equipment and software are always changing and it is important to stay up to date with the most modern technologies.

There are many resources to stay up to date including online learning and professional organizations. Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors offers resources to surveyors including online classes, a three-day annual seminar, and other educational opportunities throughout the year. 

The most rewarding parts of my job are the relationships I have made. I have made many close connections over the years. I will meet with other surveyors to discuss old projects, meet and review projects with clients who will often have interesting insight, and collaborate with engineers and contractors.

I have been employed over the years by people who have become great mentors and lifelong friends. One person in particular is Wayne E. Engle, PLS, who is always more than generous and willing to share his wealth of knowledge. I try to follow his example and share what I have learned with younger surveyors. It is also very rewarding to take my kids and nephew out on jobs with me and get them exposed to the profession.

The most challenging survey I have worked on was a 6,500 boundary survey in the remote mountains of northern Pennsylvania. This project took most of the winter. Every day we would chain up all four tires on the truck just to access the site. We used snow shoes to prevent from post holing into the snow. At one time we thought we were going to miss our deadline as the spring rains had washed out the only road to access part of the property. It made it inaccessible even by foot. Fortunately, we were able to procure some heavy equipment to rebuild the culvert and re-establish the crossing.