Careers in Surveying

Careers in Construction Surveying:

All construction projects – including infrastructure, housing estates, office developments, airport terminals and national sports stadiums – require significant financial investment and expertise to plan, project manage and maintain through their lifecycle, and surveyors are central to the construction process.

Surveyors specialise in one of the following areas of construction:

• Quantity Surveyors provide value for money through the efficient cost management of the construction process – their objective is to plan and control cost, limit risk and add value to the project ensuring that the design and construction of a project delivers value to the client on time and on budget.
• Building Surveyors provide design expertise and also undertake structural surveys on commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
• Project Managers – appointed at the beginning of a project, they assist the client in developing the project brief and then selecting, appointing and co-ordinating the project team which will also usually include engineers and architects.

Interests and Subjects

Surveying courses in construction cover a wide range of technical skills in the area of science, technology and professional capability. Therefore, you should be interested in subjects such as science, maths, construction technology, law, business and information technology. The courses also place great emphasis on professional skills, including communication, leadership and dispute resolution.

Careers in Land Surveying

Land Surveyors — also known as Geomatic Surveyors — are the professionals responsible for collecting, processing, managing and analysing geographic information. By creating “intelligent maps”, the surveyor adds information which could, for example, allow you find where you can get the best pizza in town!

Land surveyors use cutting-edge technologies including Geographical Information Systems (GIS), satellites, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and laser scanning, together with state-of-the-art information technologies, in their quest to capture information and convert it into useful, intelligent maps and 3-D models.

The profession is experiencing significant growth as consumers and businesses increasingly use location based services and big data initiatives.

Career prospects are good and progression opportunities are excellent — both at home and across the globe. Land Surveyors, including recent graduates, are in full employment and it is predicted that there will be a shortage of qualified graduates to meet the needs of the geo-services industry in the coming years.

Interests and Subjects

This is a profession ideally suited to students who enjoy working with numbers. You should have a good spatial awareness and an interest in geography and information technology. Creativity is also important as mapping and 2-D modelling requires good design skills.

Careers In Property Surveying

Do you have strong business acumen? Are you a creative problem-solver? Do you like dealing with people? Are you looking for a varied career that puts you at the heart of organisations globally?Property surveyors are highly trained professionals who specialise in one of the following areas:

• Estate Agency
• Commercial Property (retail, office, industrial, hotels and leisure)
• Valuation and Investment
• Property and Facilities Management
• Planning and Development
• Arts and Antiques
• Forestry and Rural Land

Interests and Subjects

An interest in business and an aptitude for maths are a distinct advantage. But property is a wide ranging career, and courses include subjects such as law, economics, information technology and management.

It’s worth noting that property surveying tends to be a very sociable and team-based career — ideal for those who enjoy interacting with and meeting lots of new people.

Where do Surveyors Work?

Construction Surveying

Surveyors work in all sectors of the construction industry worldwide. In real estate, this covers residential, commercial, industrial, leisure, agricultural and retail facilities. In infrastructure, they work on projects related to roads, railways, waterways, airports, sea ports, coastal defences, power generation and utilities.

Irish surveyors are recognised — and much sought after — as experts in specialised areas, such as the construction of large pharmaceutical facilities and data centres.

Read about A Day in the Life of : Quantity Surveyor

Land Surveying

As extremely versatile professionals, Land Surveyors work in every corner of the world, from the ice caps of Antarctica to the mines of Africa and deep water harbours of Australia — as well, of course, as here in Ireland.

Land Surveying careers entail great diversity, involving indoor and outdoor work locations as well as individual and team-based activities.

Read about A Day in the Life of a: Geospacial Surveying Student TUD

Property Surveying

As a Property Surveyor, you might find yourself giving advice to Google on where best to locate their new offices or helping Forever 21 or Abercrombie & Fitch identify the best retail pitch in a city centre.

In terms of residential property, a surveyor’s clients can vary from a young couple buying their first home to an international film director looking for a short-term letting.

Surveyors provide expert advice to financial institutions and pension funds on property investments.

As a surveyor in the public sector, you could be at the heart of Government decisions regarding State-owned properties and portfolios, including forestry.

Read about A Day in the Life of a: Property Vaulation Surveyor

A sample of the specialisms that can be pursued in all areas of surveying include:

• Residential Agency Surveyor - provides professional expertise in the valuation, management, letting and sale of residential property. – manages complex building and infrastructural projects.
• Commercial Agency Surveyor - provides professional expertise in the valuation, management, letting and sale of commercial property, e.g. shops and offices.
• Valuation Surveyor – provides professional expertise in valuations, acquisitions, disposals, investments and rent reviews for all types of property.
• Geomatics Surveyor- maps the built and natural environment to provide accurate spatial data which facilitates planning, development and conservation.
• Geomatics are changing our industries - and so can you. The construction and property sector needs innovative individuals who can continue to lead the way we work in the digital landscape. Geomatics is currently one of the most in-demand technical skills in the world!
• Quantity Surveyor – advises on the costs of developing all types of buildings and infrastructure.
• Building Surveyor - carries out building surveys, identifying defects and solutions, and provides management and design consultancy services.
• Property & Facilities Management Surveyor – provides professional management services for residential and commercial multi-unit developments and facilities.
• Planning & Development Surveyor – manages the proposals to develop new or refurbish existing buildings
• Arts & Antiques Surveyor - provides professional expertise in the valuation, and sale of arts and antiques.
• Minerals Surveyor – provides expertise in the full life cycle of mineral development.
• Rural Surveyor – values, manages and sells agricultural land including forestry.

For more information on careers in surveying click here.