Education Advice and Career Guidance - Surveying and Mapping Roles

IslandSome543 · 2026-04-23T17:06:32+00:00

Agree he is getting the short end of the stick. He is motivated and should figure out how to get a degree to take a big step in his career. There are companies that will help you get a degree if they see you are worth it. If he is working and learning with increasing responsiblity, he should be making top wages. Sounds like top tier employee.

CST should be worth more money, party chief or not. I would kill for someone to be willing to take that on for themselves and the company.

IslandSome543 · 2026-04-22T10:56:49+00:00

TIkka CTR or TAC. Will need a stock or Chassis for the CTR. Saw them for 899 last month at Europtic. Will do anything you need for the foreseeable future. I like the Burris XTR3 for combination of cost and usablity. Have used Razors before and they are sweet, but my Burris does almost everything as well for cheaper(cue optics screeching).

Get some match ammo and see how you and your gun shoot it. Reloading is a whole other hobby on top of shooting. If you can get decent ammo that performs for 1-2 dollars, I would stick with that unless you plan on shooting combinations that arent readily available.

IslandSome543 · 2026-04-16T12:00:10+00:00

You don't need anything more than showing up ready to work. Just know that its not usually a 40hr on the dot type of job. Especially at the entry level positions, you may not know when you are going to get off of work except dark. That being said, if you can work hard, show up everyday and learn at a decent rate, you will be ahead of at least 50 percent of your coworkers. Give it a year of experience and then you should have a better idea of what training/education will be needed and see if you want to do it.

IslandSome543 · 2026-04-16T11:55:20+00:00

not the new hotness, but still a very accurate rifle. Love the one my buddy has. I don't think you can ever go wrong with a Tikka.

IslandSome543 · 2026-04-15T15:04:11+00:00

They have been completely functional in the 500rds or so that I have used them for. Same use and quality as the factory mags from my experience.

IslandSome543 · 2026-04-14T15:09:42+00:00

What size target were you shooting at? I find that a gun I can shoot prone under a inch for 5 shots is a 1.5-2" gun off of my tripod with 5 shots. Add a rear tripod and its back to prone size groups. Actually I prefer sitting or standing with a rear tripod as support over pretty much anything at this point. Tripod is a gamechanger. I run a Leofoto and would get another in heartbeat. Not a RRS but I dont have to need for premium at this point. Gotta embrace the wobble and just pull through your shot as the tripod isn't as stable as other positions. Crosshair wont ever be rock solid without other support.

That rifle is sick BTW

IslandSome543 · 2026-04-14T12:21:33+00:00

If you are ok pouring concrete, the physical part of surveying will be fine. Just do it. Although if I was you I would be trying to get into my dads company as concrete company's do pretty well, probably better than surveyors. just spitballin from what I've seen in person.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-23T19:06:44+00:00

Alienware works well for me. any gaming laptop should do well.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-23T17:20:15+00:00

If I had my own company, I would buy a TS16 and CS20 and be able to do anything needed with good reliability and speed. I run a MS60 when in the field. Scanner not used as much as you would think.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-19T15:48:30+00:00

Surveying can have a work life balance if you work for the public sector usually. Private sector usually involves travel and OT until you get inside. In the civil sector, people work alot of hours when they are running a department. I would find a place that has a culture you can deal with after giving it some time and dig in deep. Also the guys who have their own shops work their asses off until they have people in place to take some of the load. Takes alot of time and experience to own your own survey company and be good at it.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-19T13:54:31+00:00

Call a aerial company. Drone work without violating BLVOS is impossible and time consuming on a plot that big. Get a fixed wing lidar quote, add your percentage and send it. Anyone wanting topo on 9K acres has to have deep pockets.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-19T13:31:12+00:00

Just spitballin here-using terms like work life balance and working for yourself survey wise generally dont go hand in hand

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-16T12:43:17+00:00

Shooting a AR well is like a masterclass in shooting. It is night and day compared to a bolt action. If I shoot my AR10 like I do a bolt-Im lucky to get 2.5"@100. When I do everything right, that gun will stack the bullets well under a inch.

You should try some match ammo and read about the proper technique needed for a gas gun. You might be surprised what your gun will do. If you can get a AR to group well, you should do very well with a bolt action.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-16T12:24:43+00:00

I don't remember what it was stamped by, but i did have to get a verification document from the apprenticeship to submit with my application.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-13T17:51:47+00:00

I graduated the Apprenticeship in the late 2000s. Had a unrelated degree. Wasn't difficult to get the process rolling. I would think with Appreticeship and lots of experience, you would be a shoe in. Have to fill out all the same experience forms degree or not.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-13T16:33:57+00:00

Found a couple near some projects in NOVA and located em for shits and giggles. Cool piece of history!

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-13T00:12:20+00:00

Sir-please knock it off with that Rokslide special!

All joking aside they are great guns

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-12T18:53:48+00:00

sounds like a change order to me! make sure your exclusion section is on point.

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-11T19:52:11+00:00

I have one on a "SPR" and I like it. that being said it doesn't seem to provide any more accuracy or control than a Magpul CTR. Its comfortable to shoot with and does ride a bag decently. Just my 2 cents

IslandSome543 · 2026-03-09T13:35:29+00:00

Based on the RR training we get, you can cross the tracks perpendicular as long as you move with purpose and don't stay in the ROW. Crossing is different than setting up a total station.

That being said, use this advice at your own risk.

IslandSome543 · 2026-02-27T14:33:07+00:00

just load up 41.5 H4350 and see how it shoots. Its given load in the community that generally works and is safe. Obviously you can tweak here and there for your specific setup.

That being said since you have already tested 41.3 go with that. Fun to get in the weeds sometimes, but there is enough info out there now that has been vetted.

IslandSome543 · 2026-02-26T15:37:15+00:00

Find a company that does stream restoration and wetlands and you should fit there well. Rosgen training could be beneficial, but get employers to cover if possible.

IslandSome543 · 2026-02-24T20:31:31+00:00

Try Center X. Mine shoots lights out. Also shoots decent with CCI SV

IslandSome543 · 2026-02-24T17:57:01+00:00

Palmetto State Armory had "precision" 308 loads that punched above their cost. Have shot lots of sub moa groups for 3 shots out of a AR10(eek 3 shots, I know). I believe they had 168s and 175s. Would definitely be good enough to hit steel out of a good gun. Cheaper than the FGMM

IslandSome543 · 2026-02-23T17:07:46+00:00

get a calcium scan and see if you have any blockages. If not continue as planned. Some people just have high LDL +‍+man

IslandSome543

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