Land/geomatics surveyor : Career development

Geomatics professionals can move into a range of areas, including:

• construction;
• property;
• offshore engineering and exploration;
• railways;
• cartography.

Whichever sector you move into, you will need to continue to study for professional qualifications. Gaining chartered status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)  or the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)  is not a prerequisite for gaining work, but it can benefit career progression. Chartership usually requires an accredited degree and takes time, dedication and a high level of self-motivation.

Career development depends on the industry you move into. In the more 'common' employing sectors, such as construction, engineering and surveying, graduates generally start as junior surveyors. In some companies, this role may be undertaken with an additional role, such as a CAD (computer-aided design) technician. With experience and training, you can progress into a role as a surveyor and then you may go on to manage a team within your organisation.

Ease of progress will depend on professional qualifications and the size of your employing organisation. Geographic mobility can also be helpful to career development.

It is possible for land/geomatics surveyors to move between the public and private sectors.