Pursuing a University Degree to become a Registered Surveyor

thriftysach on 12/07/2019 - 18:17
Last edited 13/07/2019 - 23:15

Hi, I am a student in Year 12 and deciding between University Degrees.

I made a post before highlighting which areas I am interested in and many users pointed me in different directions. I've considered those and have come to the conclusion that I am interested in Civil Engineering.

The university I am interested in applying to it the University of New South Wales as I want to undertake a double degree.

The double degree I want to undertake is a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Bachelor of Surveying and it lasts 5 years.
Due to the clashing subjects being offered by both these fields, I have read that it is a very good program.

Due to my wish to do Surveying, UNSW is the only uni that offers this and is within my reach.

Is their anyone who is working in the Surveying industry as a cadastral surveyor.

Please Google Cadastral Surveyor if you do not know what it is (with all due respect). It is a bit difficult for me to explain the process as I do not completely understand it.

Thanks. Will appreciate any feedback.

-Edit-

The meaning of my post was previously unclear. When I am referring to surveying, I meant becoming a Registered Surveyor after undertaking BOSSI exams.

As highlighted in this link:

http://www.bossi.nsw.gov.au/candidates/candidate_land_survey…

PS-

I apologise if this post is in the wrong section.

Education & Work

Comments

  • NuclearWessels on 12/07/2019 - 18:54
    +2

    I spent 5 years working in surveying, now a civil engineer. What is it that you want to know?

    • thriftysach on 12/07/2019 - 19:01
      +1

      Can I please get an objective view on the profession, including aspects such as work/life balance, types of jobs within surveying, pay, course content in uni.

      Thanks.

      • NuclearWessels on 12/07/2019 - 19:22
        +1

        I'd personally be leaning towards engineering, but it depends on what you want. There is a lot of specialisation in engineering, so for example in civil you can specialse in roads, drainage, flooding, traffic modelling on the design site, or you can go into on-site construction and management. If you study civil you will likely also have the option of going into structural engineering as well (concrete, buildings, etc). There is a lot of freedom of choice.

        From the other side most of the cadastral surveyors I knew in my last job had completely transitioned into project management. The younger, cheaper surveyors were the ones in the field. It might be what you want, but most surveyors I know don't want to be in the field forever. Plus simpler to use technologies like RTK and drone photogrametry cause competition.

        Anyway, I don't think I've helped much. There is probably a reasonable amount of overlap between the two options in your first year at uni. Perhaps pick one, and switch later?

        I'd also strongly suggest getting a student job in one of the two while studying so you know what you're in for.

        • thriftysach on 13/07/2019 - 15:10

          In regards to the student job. Would I be able to undertake something like an apprenticeship in surveying whilst studying? As in, can I fit it around my Uni Degree.

          • NuclearWessels on 14/07/2019 - 12:32
            +1

            @thriftysach: Yes absolutely- you would probably start as a survey assistant or "chainman" (historical name from old days when it was done using an actual chain). Your job would be to assist the surveyor setting up stations, carrying tools, holding target etc- all essential skills for a proper surveyor. If you start in your first year you'll probably be working as a full surveyor (on smaller jobs) prior to graduating.

      • NuclearWessels on 12/07/2019 - 19:31
        +1

        Oh, and as I haven't specifically addressed your questions:

        Work/life balance - very similar in my opinion. Surveyors will have to often drive long distances to get to site though (more so than engineers).

        Types of jobs - As mentioned, engineering has a heap of freedom and you can do a lot with it. Surveying you can work in construction, residential subdivision, commercial buildings, mining, fly-in-fly-out etc. As noted though, many of the cadastrals I know ended up in project management (office) roles.

        Pay - from my experience engineering pays better. There is less education required to work in surveying competently so you face a lot of competition. You can earn a lot working remotely though.

        Course content - I can't comment on this too much. I did engineering and it depends on where you go I guess. If you go to a research dominated university, be prepared for a lot of complicated math. Other universities may focus on core skills such as software, and put less emphasis on theory.

        • thriftysach on 13/07/2019 - 15:09

          Thanks. This makes me think that although the Surveying field seems kinda alluring now, I'll be better off doing something like Civil Engineering ONLY as that would lead to a career with developments, rather than me getting bored of something like Surveying in ~10 Years.

      • SeaSalty on 13/07/2019 - 08:19
        +2

        If it helps, this is my experience.

        Studied BE (surveying). 1st year subject was pretty general across all engineering. subjects include physics, maths. You'll touch a bit of surveying with a 1st year subject called GMAT1110. As you go into 2nd year, subjects include some civil e.g water and transport and some surveying subjects. Third and fourth year gets you more into surveying and you learn about photogrammetry, GIS, geodesy, GPS, LIDAR, detail survey, strata, cadastral, mining, etc.

        Work/life balance: Work in cadastral, work hours: 8-4pm

        Graduate pay: looking around 55-65k

        Types of jobs you get in cadastral surveying: details, easement plans, subdivision, elevations, set outs, marking boundaries, redefinition, identification surveys, delimitation plans, strata

        Other types of surveying jobs out there: engineering, mining, photogrammetry

        • thriftysach on 13/07/2019 - 15:08

          Thanks!!

          Would you be able to comment on Surveying prospects in Sydney?

          • SeaSalty on 13/07/2019 - 20:04
            +1

            @thriftysach: I think it is pretty good. There is still a shortage of surveyors. BOSSI wants more surveyors to become registered to replace those that are retiring in the next 10 years. Plenty of opportunities out there in surveying.

  • chomp on 13/07/2019 - 11:36
    +1

    Graduate Pay: Nothing below 80k, personally offered between 90k-140k. Full time non grad entry can be a fair bit lower but a car/phone/laptop/overtime is usually part of the package.

    Work is as easy or as complicated as your skill level, that is why most surveyors advance out of basic roles into management inside 10 years. But advancement is optional, plenty choose to remain in the field roles.

    It depends a lot on your personal attitude, I like being hands on and being at the coal face so to speak. So for me being a surveyor gets me there, where as I have known engineers with 3+ years experience who have never set foot outside an office.

    Engineers are a dime a dozen with grad roles having 200+ applicants by comparison I had an interview where there was 2 applicants with surveying qualifications applying for a role.

    • thriftysach on 13/07/2019 - 13:34

      Can you tell me about the stages required to become a cadastral surveyor?
      http://www.bossi.nsw.gov.au/candidates/candidate_land_survey…

      • SeaSalty on 13/07/2019 - 20:02
        +1

        The link you posted details how to become a registered surveyor. You can become a cadastral surveyor straight out of university. If you want to be registered, then you need to pass 5 exams held by BOSSI in NSW. You need a degree to become a registered surveyor. If you studied in TAFE, you become a survey technician.

        • thriftysach on 13/07/2019 - 23:08

          I think I might have asked the wrong thing.

          My whole post was referring to Registered Surveyors.

        • thriftysach on 14/07/2019 - 20:40

          In the case of becoming a registered surveyor. I will need to complete my degree and work for 104 Weeks as a Cadastral Surveyor (to log the experience) and then from here I'll be eligible to sit the exams and become a Registered Surveyor?

          Thanks!

    • Icecold5000 on 13/07/2019 - 15:31
      +1

      Someone on whirlpool was claiming it was one of the most secure jobs around. Do you have any insight about this claim? I thought it would wax and wane like any other industry.

    • NimNim on 13/07/2019 - 17:33

      How's the future surveying in terms of grad positions & job security? How far can we go from TAFE qualification?

      • chomp on 13/07/2019 - 19:55
        +1

        Graduate positions are increasing, primarily due to there being a shortfall in experienced surveyors.

        Certificate = Assistant
        Diploma/Advanced Diploma = Party Leader

        Job security is good with there being a projected shortfall of surveyors which is projected to get worse as more surveyors retire. I have never heard of a surveyor saying they cannot find work due to an industry downturn.

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