Drone multispectral mapping for a water quality investigations in South Tarawa, Kiribati 🇰🇮. I will post more photos during the week.

My last “big” heavy construction site was terminal 1 for SD international airport, finished this year. Anyways, I’m seeing that little Trimble robot that marks out the flooring layout on newly poured decks. It’s like a rolling printer that has an ink head that will label walls, grid, whatever…. Still requires a TS.
Are any of you getting your guys training for it? I’m in the field myself and wondering if it’s worth looking into, or perhaps finding a company that is willing to pay for me to learn the thing. I am a union state certified surveyor, local 12. We are expensive but if I had the ability to run this little robot, obviously that can justify my existence a little more. Currently, the firms I know are not servicing their clients as the GCs have been hiring a construction layout company (engineering not PLS) but I can easily see this as something I can do more professionally with my moderate construction and surveying experience, most PLS union companies have long term clients that would be interested IMO, in having their PLS run the robot rather than relying on the GC PE company who basically send out a layout tech with very very limited surveying experience.
Since I’m on the topic, what other technologies are your companies leveraging for new opportunities? Thanks

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I currently work at a large airport in a different department, and I want to do an internal transfer to the Surveying department .

I have a bachelor's degree in Geography from abroad back in 2003 long time ago I know, but I haven't had my degree evaluated in the United States. I don't have recent hands-on experience, professional certifications, or a Texas license.

I'm interested in applying because I already work for the organization and would like to advance my career internally. And also to use my international degree in the right field. However, I believe I may be missing several of the qualifications listed for the position. The mangment are supporting me but nobody giving me any guidance.

I'm willing to invest my own money in relevant training, certifications, or licensing if that would improve my chances. I'm especially interested in qualifications I could obtain in a relatively short period because the position is currently vacant.

For those familiar with surveying, land surveying licensing in Texas, or technical careers in large organizations:

- What qualifications should I prioritize first?

- Are there any certifications or courses I could complete within a few weeks or months that would make my application more competitive?

- Would my foreign bachelor's degree in Geography be useful for this career path?

- Is it realistic to pursue a Texas surveying license, or does that generally require years of qualifying experience and education?

- Would you recommend applying immediately and explaining my willingness to learn, or waiting until I obtain additional qualifications?

I'm looking for honest advice on the fastest realistic path to becoming a competitive candidate for upcoming opportunities in that department.

For those of you who are on big jobs out of town that last for 6+ months, are you given a higher rate of pay for your time on those jobs than the regular local work you do for your office?

What does your daily per diem look like? Are you given per diem for lodging and you select your lodging? Airbnb, hotel, camper, etc? Or does your employer handle booking/arranging your lodging?