Surveying: Pathway to the Outdoors
Katharine Eneguess, President of White Mountains Community CollegeWe had something this year that we haven't had in a long time: a good, old fashioned winter. The weather was cold enough, and the snow deep enough, for all sorts of outdoor activities, from ice-fishing to dog sledding and everything in between. Though the endless shoveling did get a bit monotonous, the snowmobiling was great and cross-country skiing awesome.
Still it was a welcome relief when spring arrived. That relief, though, brought on that annual ailment that makes us want to bolt out the door at the drop of a hat – Spring Fever!
Many of us here in northern New Hampshire can't get enough of that fresh North Country air. For many, the thought of working inside all day long is uninspiring, to say the least. If you're one of these people, don't despair, there is a professional pathway for you that will let get outside and earn money at the same time.
White Mountains Community College offers a professional certificate in Surveying Technology and an associate degree in Surveying Technology for those who want to take it a step further, and head down a path towards licensure as a licensed land surveyor.
Our computer lab for surveying is one of the best equipped in New Hampshire. We teach students how to use many of the software programs used in surveying. Among those programs are AutoCAD 2006, Carlson Survey &SurvCADD, Land Development Desktop, Idrisi, ArcInfo, Thales Solution 1 Mobilemapper Office, and Trimble PathFinder Office.
The field work of surveying, the actual data collection, is done mostly in the warmer weather months, when the snow is gone and access to the land being surveyed is easier. When land changes hands many times it is resurveyed, so that both the seller and the buyer have an accurate idea of the borders of the land. Though it is important for those involved in a land deal to have a legal document that shows exactly what they are selling or buying, it is also important that deeds are checked for accuracy, and the boundaries of the land are actually walked and marked.
The same holds true for smaller lots of land, and when you think of it, surveyors contribute to the ability of people to live in harmony. How many times have you heard "Good fences make good neighbors" ? Well, it really helps stem turf wars if neighbors have legal documents showing exactly where that fence should go and where exactly the property boundaries are.
Those who graduate from our program will be able to do all that and more. They will be able to work on boundary line surveys and construction and engineering surveys with the latest surveying equipment. They will learn how to research deeds and public records.
If you are interested in this program give us a call at 752-1113 or stop by our Berlin campus at 2020 Riverside Drive. Before you know it, winter will be here again – why not spend it preparing for a career that will let you enjoy the outdoors while you work? Toll free you can reach us at 1-800-445-4525, on the web at www.wmcc.edu
Back to News List4/28/2008
© White Mountains Community College. 2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin, NH 03570. Tel: (800)445-4525 or (603)752-1113.