Changing career at 28 to Surveying?

[Rob13]

Would like to ask the advice of the host of surveyors on PH. What are the options to those looking to change career in their late twenties?
I've long thought about this, and first considered it 2 years where I spoke to a few companies regarding sponsorship (none were doing it at the time) and at that time I was a recent graduate (2004). Ive stalled on it through a number of reasons (financial and personal reasons) but it still remains with me.

A bit of background from me: Graduate 2004 with a 2:1 in Geology/Physical Geog and then after a sales role, I joined the Police. The job offers me a decent wage, job security and generally looks after me however I have had doubts about whether I would want to stay in the job for the long term. It certainly isnt what I joined up for, and although I should count myself lucky in these unstable times, I keep having these thoughts every 6-8 months or so which isn't necessarily boding well for the future.

I understand that going for a surveying career means I would need to be RICS accredited and thus I would need a conversion course to get into it. This is going to mean a personal financial commitment to it however I need to stay in employment whilst I study. Being a student and not in gainful employment isnt an option (mortgage/bills etc) but I understand I need to have some kind of portfolio to gain RICS status.

I would appreciate the feedback from anyone who has changed at a later point in their career, or someone who has recently gone through it or even someone who knows a company who is looking to recruit and will provide employment while working for it. I know that I'm now at a disadvantage in not being available for graduate positions but I'd like to think I can bring a work ethic and certain attributes which I have gained over the last 5 years.

[Alfachick]

What kind of surveying do you want to go into?

Land survey, Offshore survey, Quantity surveying, etc etc etc. There are LOTS of different types of surveyor, each has a different skill set. I wouldnt have much of a clue about the latest theodolites etc but a land surveyor wouldnt have a clue about the equipment that I use. And quantity survyors are a whole different breed apart again.

You do not nesecarily have to be RICS accredited. It depends what type of survey you want to go into. Many employers will sponser you through your RICS of ICES qualifications.

There are always companies looking for offshore / hydrographic surveyors, the problem at the moment is getting one of these companies to take you on with no experience, as they will have the cost of training you up.

Were there any 'survey' modules in your degree? For example covering geodetics, datums, coordinate systems. Any land survey techniques (this is what they normaly teach), GPS theory /usage?

Have a think about it some more and see what you feel like doing. Also remember that no harm will come out of you putting your CV out there to test the water as such, you can always turn down a job!

[Maxf]

You don't need a portfolio to get chartered. What you need is an RICS accredited degree (or MA conversion course), then 2 years of work experience before you can site a panel interview to get your letters. In short, it's a slog and takes an age before you start earning decent money.

We hire plenty of grads who have simply done a conversion course, rather than a full estate/land management degree - in fact I think it is probably preferred, as is 'life experience'. We also do an internship programme, but I think there would be little chance of being paid to work without any experience or qualifications as a surveyor, or trainee surveyor.

There are other various jobs, such as report production, which are often done by people while they are doing a distance learning MA conversion course.

There are bugger all jobs at the moment for good graduates and many are facing being made redundant in a few months time when they have finished their rotation and sat their RICS interview, as the departments simply dont have space for new people. It's a terrible time to be trying to get work surveying - in a large practice anyway.

ETA: I was a late started into surveying, but during a very different market, and I was very fortunate with my University sponsorship.

Edited by Maxf on Sunday 16th August 11:13

[JQ]

I thinks it's a good idea in theory and I have several friends who have done the same, one a former plumber, one a former electrician and another a former CAD Technician - all are now in very senior positions. However, your timing could not be worse. At the moment in the General Practice area of Surveying, so I'm talking Jones Lang Lasalle, DTZ, Grimley, King Sturge, etc, there are an enormous number of redundancies. There are also an enormous number of graduates who will not find employment after uni, as firms are not taking on new staff. We get letters weekly from graduates offering to work for free, to gain some experience. I do not think this is likely to improve over the next 3-5 years as firms are looking to keep costs to a minimum and we're not anticipating large rises in turnover as the market bounces along the bottom for the next few years.

I would seriously consider if you are likely to get a job if you do a conversion course. If you really want to do it, then go for it, Surveying is a great career, but be prepared to struggle to find a job at the end of it. Of the people we've let go, one now does IT sales, another does machinery hire and another works for his father. Sorry to be so pessimistic, but you need to make a decision with your eyes wide open.

Good luck with it all.

[Rob13]

I did some work with Land Surveying techniques during my course, however I tend to be swaying towards property surveying with valuations and acquisitions. I do know of a few who went into the profession following graduation and now find themselves on extended leave. I appreciate this is a very tough time to be switching, and i'm fortunate to be in a well paid position at the moment while others are out of work. I did speak to a company a couple of years back who are based in the North who basically outlined that I would need a conversion course and I could take it part time while I remained in my present role. From there I would then have to seek work.
I've looked into distance learning MSc from a uni like Northumbria, and it looks to be around £5000 for the 2 year course. Obviously there's a big investment there but with no guarantees to a role in the field so it's a big gamble. I would have to take a loan to fund it.

[Rob13]

JQ, thanks for that its certainly not a decision I can take likely, and i'm going to canvass the opinion of a friend of mine who is in the industry. He still has contacts back up here so I'm sure he can give me another idea of how bad it is. While I'm glad I never went for it 2 years ago to now find myself qualified with a debt and no option of a job, I was hoping that if I went for it now, in 2 years we would be in a recovering market.

The problem I have with my job currently is that I'm constantly telling people how to live their lives and we're more often than not speaking to people who just dont listen. If surveying is a closed door for the long term, then maybe I have to reconsider my options.