Outliving the Monuments We Set: Preserving the Future of Surveying

During a recent retracement survey, I encountered a rusted one-inch iron pipe with its cap lying nearby. At first glance, it looked like a forgotten relic. On closer inspection, however, I realized it had been set decades ago by a surveyor who is still practicing in northwest Pennsylvania. That deteriorating monument made me pause—not only to reflect on the longevity of my colleague’s career, but also to wonder whether I might someday outlive the monuments I set.

Picture by Joe McGraw, 8/29/2025

That moment also sparked a larger concern: is our profession doing enough to ensure there will be future generations of surveyors to carry on this work?

Land surveying is a licensed profession with significant public responsibility, yet it is often mischaracterized as a trade. Too frequently, surveyors are grouped with carpenters, electricians, or plumbers—important and respected roles, but ones that do not require licensure. In fact, real estate professionals often enjoy more recognition for their “professionalism” than surveyors do. This perception not only diminishes the value of our work but may also discourage young people from considering surveying as a career.

Technology has also reshaped how we practice. The adoption of RTK GNSS and robotic total stations have reduced field crews from three or four members to just one or two. Efficiency has increased, but something has been lost: the natural transfer of knowledge that occurred in larger crews. This change raises difficult questions. Are we doing enough to mentor younger surveyors? Given this new technology, are we charging appropriately for the professional expertise our services require?

At age forty-two, I still consider myself young in the profession, but I see a growing gap between those preparing to retire and those entering the field. Unless we take deliberate action, we risk a shortage of qualified practitioners at the very time when our expertise is most needed.

Part of the problem lies in perception. In today’s society, work performed outdoors or with one’s hands is often equated with manual labor. While there is dignity in all trades, professionalism is defined not just by the tasks performed but by the standards and ethics that guide them. Licensed surveyors carry responsibilities that extend far beyond the act of measurement. We are charged with protecting property rights, safeguarding public records, and applying judgment rooted in history, law, and science. Demonstrating this higher standard—in both our technical work and our public conduct—is essential if we want to be recognized as the professionals we are.

The future of our profession also depends on making surveying visible and attractive to young people. Outreach in schools, career fairs, and community events can highlight what makes our work unique. In an era when many careers confine people to desks and screens—a lifestyle now linked to serious health risks—surveying offers something different. It combines field and office work, provides variety, and allows for a career that remains physically active even into later years. My high school wrestling coach often encouraged us with the old saying, “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” Surveying keeps both mind and body in motion, and that balance is a compelling selling point for the next generation.

Of course, the work is not without its frustrations. Every survey presents challenges: conflicting records, unclear boundaries, or legal disputes. Yet solving these problems is precisely what makes the profession rewarding. Our work matters to property owners, to communities, and to the public good. That is a message worth sharing.

If there is one takeaway, it is this: we must all become ambassadors for our profession. By upholding the highest standards, mentoring the next generation, and actively engaging with the public, we can ensure that surveying continues to be recognized as a respected and vital profession. The monuments we set may not last forever, but the legacy of our work—and of our profession—can endure.

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