Hmmm... I see some new members, but this tribe is very very quiet.

I'll go first. Most surveyors say they "fell into it" and it's my truth too. I took a day job out of high school working for a guy in my hometown- taking care of office stuff and worked the rod in the field. It seemed like a good way to make money so I went w/it and managed to earn a two yr.degree in Civil Engineering Technology. Whereupon I headed North! to Alaska to try to get rich.

The money's pretty good depending on location and project, for now Im in Northern Minnesota - NOT for money :) Because there is none! Yay! But it's good to be home in the Midwest. (Words I never thunk Id utter). And a good time to re-evaluate my goals. Getting licensed is the only smart thing to do, and now most states require (or will soon require) a 4yr.degree and 6yrs. work experience, including 36mo. of responsible charge. So far I have all the work experience I need, including about 8mo. of responsible charge, and a two yr.degree.

There are four schools (to my knowledge) in the states that offer a 4yr. in Geomatics (the math of mapping/survey) and they are: Purdue, Indiana.. St.Cloud State, Minnesota.. Denver, Co.. and UofAK, Anchorage. Im in a good situation to study right where I am, so am looking to get credits on-line. It seems like most universities offer on-line programs these days.

Has anybody taken online classes, or know of someone who has? How does it rate?

Hey, Sarah!

Other than doing odd jobs with my odd dad, a six month gig doing home remodel framing and finish work is the extent of my experience with construction. I loved it! I was really strong and it was a great opportunity to do physical work. My current day job is as Legal Assistant. It's good stable work, but I prefer physical activity. On the same note, construction (depending on what you're doing exactly) can really wear on your joints and back.

Contrary to the stereotype, I worked with two really respectful, brilliant men. Matter of fact, my boss (John Favolise) had another contractor fired from a job that we were on for making an inappropriate comment to him about me (know that I was not present when the jerk made the comment). That just shows what a great guy John is. Thanks John!

hi all

im an archaeologist, who works on sites where there is development happening. i monitor the activities, and look out for the bones, cool artifacts, or burial pits....i watch excavators, follow bulldozers, graders, etc etc.

lots of hot construction men! and any chic i see on the site is always unusually cool. ;)

i have been doin it for about a year and a half. the jobs range from a residence where someone is digging holes to put in coconut trees, to a community center where they are running electrical lines, to a mass excavation of a sand dune complex, to put in a huge subdivision.

if you wanna know more, ill tell ya, but for now let me just say that where there is sand on maui, there are ancient burials. and development is happening so fast, we are watching for the burials as the development is happening. much different than going out on some expedition to uncover a lost village or some ancient runes or graves. this is modern archaeology. its a sad truth. its a race to keep up, and there are lots of interests involved, most influential, the ones with the dough.

more later....

jennjenn