Every year during National Surveyors Week, we highlight our team with the goal of educating the public about surveyors’ work and the important role they play in our society.
Surveyors are never shy about sharing their enjoyment with their work. It’s not hard to see where that pride comes from. There are so many positive aspects of the job. They often spend significant amounts of time outside and away from a desk and sometimes get to travel to beautiful locations. It’s also truly one of those jobs where every day is different.
All of these job aspects would seemingly appeal specifically to younger people, but that isn’t reflected in the current state of the industry. The truth is that our industry – like many others – is dealing with a skilled worker shortage, particularly of the younger generation. Research shows that the average age of a land surveyor in the Pacific Northwest is 50-55. That means the average worker is rapidly approaching retirement age.
Westlake’s origins are in land surveying, and we do all we can to promote the profession. In 2024, we took part in multiple industry conferences, education forums, and college and high school industry advisory committees and our staff are active participants in PLSO programs throughout Oregon that support Survey industry advancements.
This year’s Survey Week theme is “Elevating the Landscape with Precision: Surveying in the Digital Age” so we reached out to our team to tell us a bit about why they chose this career. Sam Hargrave, PLS, had some great insights to share.
“My passion for surveying stems from my love for the outdoors, exploring new places, and searching for monuments. This interest was further fueled by my introduction to AutoCAD, Trimble Business Center, and boundary resolution, making it enjoyable to continuously learn and solve problems. However, the industry faces significant challenges in the 21st century, including unregulated technological advances, uneducated use of these technologies, and plug-and-play surveying. To thrive in the future, surveyors will need to be flexible, obtain certifications, and be adaptable to new technologies. The most rewarding aspect of my career has been the constant opportunity to learn new things. For young surveyors starting their careers, I advise getting your certifications, as they help understand how government and rule creators interpret our work, especially field notes and evidence. These certifications also enhance our company resume for specific types of work.”