As we continue to celebrate National Surveyors Week and recognize the dedicated professionals who make important contributions to our projects and communities, we wanted to dig a little deeper into the profession and learn more about it.
We spoke with Jim Sullivan, PSM, to understand some history about the surveying profession, learn how surveyors contribute to the development of our communities, and understand why kids should consider a career in surveying! Check out the video below:
The surveying profession has been around a long time – in fact, it is one of the oldest professions in the country. These dedicated professionals aided early expansion, when the promise of land ownership encouraged pioneers to settle and stake their claims. Many of our country’s early leaders were also surveyors – including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson.
Surveyors are often the first ones to arrive on a project site – before the land is even cleared – and provide services throughout the duration of a project. Jim says, “We set the boundary, perform the design survey, we’re out there for the construction layout, and then the as-builts. So we’re really on site from start to finish.”
The tools that surveyors use are changing rapidly, and WGI’s survey crews have the latest technology available. In addition to the traditional tripod with total stations or theodolites, our crews are regularly deploying drones and mobile lidar to collect geospatial data for our clients.
All these new tools can provide better data for our clients across many different applications. Jim explains: “We can collect with mobile lidar for roadway projects, we can scan buildings indoors for architecture, we can do inspections with aerial drones for utilities or roof inspections.” There are so many applications for what WGI can do with the tools that we have available.
“Young people should really get into surveying because of the high demand,” explains Jim. “Right now, only about 6% of surveyors are under 40, so there is really a big demand for young people to get into the profession.” There are many 2- and 4-year degree programs that are available to anyone interested in pursuing a career in the profession.
WGI would like to recognize all of our surveying team members for the contributions that they make every day. Thank you!
WGI is a national design and professional services firm leading in technology-based solutions for the construction of public infrastructure and real estate development. At WGI, we’re providing Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Solutions Today.
Nick will support WGI in the development and implementation of technology-enabled strategies for innovation, sustainability, growth, and leverage opportunities for digital transformation.
In this episode of WGI Unleashed, we get to know Jeremiah Slaymaker, the Regional Survey Manager for our Geospatial Divison in the Tallahassee, Florida office.
Autonomous vehicles are headed to downtown Jacksonville as part of Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Bay Street Innovation Corridor (BSIC) project. WGI and Balfour Beatty were chosen to lead design efforts for this phase.
WGI is pleased to welcome five new hires in our San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Jacksonville offices.
In this installment of our “A Day in the Life” video series, we go for a ride with Christian Stewart, a Senior Mobile Lidar Specialist based in West Palm Beach.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, two Florida-based developers plan to build a mid-rise hotel in East Austin, among the neighborhood’s largest.
You’ve been searching for a place like WGI. We look forward to meeting you soon.
Sign up to receive emails to hear our latest news and achievements in our monthly newsletter.
Enter your zip code, and we’ll personalize your experience with local projects, office locations, team members, and more.
WGI supports its associates with meaningful opportunities for growth, strong benefits and perks, while we work collaboratively with clients and co-consultants to shape and improve communities.
WGI is a dynamic organization with opportunities nationwide for engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, environmental scientists, and architects.
