When I started with Howell almost two decades ago, the world of surveying was very different from what it is today, or at least through my eyes. Throughout the last couple of decades, I've watched things like GPS manifest from having the ability to just bring in a site elevation to controlling everything onsite from machine control to aerial lidar drones for topography. I always saw Howell keeping up with the latest tech to keep us relevant. This has promoted this company well above all else in this industry. To make it not just here but in this industry at all, we must be willing to take on new challenges daily and utilize the new and existing equipment to develop better, more efficient survey methods.
To become a surveyor, one must be able to foresee the task in front of you and know the end goal for the client… not just stake the line on the paper. Not every task is always that straightforward. But in the same thought, we cannot overthink every project. This is where it takes someone with critical thinking to do very well at this job. If seeking employment in this field, you must first ask yourself, are you willing to go the extra mile and put in the time and effort to learn this profession? Not everything in life will be taught to you, and one must have the drive to learn something in your own time. Too often, I heard the saying, "I would have done it, but nobody has ever taught me how to do that…". If you find yourself ever saying this, take a long look in the mirror and think about how to teach yourself how to do that task. Otherwise, you will most likely be looking for a new job in the near future.
The survey industry will be forever changing, and you must always be willing to do what is necessary to keep up or risk becoming obsolete. You must always be open-minded and learning even once you obtain your professional survey license. We here at Howell have always been expanding our capabilities to meet and exceed our client's expectations and expand our service area. No job is too big or too far away for us. Recently, we have moved into Maryland as well as north and west Pennsylvania. With ten field crews constantly running around, we can facilitate and meet all our client's needs without hesitation. Our flexibility allows us to move on projects much faster than most firms in our area. Look to next week's newsletter to see what Howell has planned for expansion and services available in North and West Pennsylvania. We are excited about this new venture and growth for us!
