How I got started is as follows:

Have no money (very important) Here something about field surveying Have no clue what you’re walking into as you go to the interview Ask a lot of questions about what surveying even is (none of the answers will help in the field) Get hired Pay attention to what your crew chief says and learn everything you can while in the field, experience in surveying can only really come from doing it Profit

Most of the time surveying at start is the kind of thing where so long as you don’t have negative brain cells and are willing to spend 9 hours a day walking, hammering and carrying stuff people will be happy to give you a shot at it, especially because of just how in demand surveyors are. My company alone badly wishes for two more full crews but can’t find any because surveyors are a different breed. I don’t know of any surveyors Union or apprentices, at least not where I survey. As for college, licensing changes depending on your state, some states require just any two or four year degree, some require a surveying degree specifically. Some dates just require six years of work experience. From what I could find from the Nevada Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, you need: “Education Have a degree from an accredited four-year surveying program or a Board approved equivalent. Exams Licensure candidates typically must pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, the Principals and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, and a state-specific exam. Experience Four years of acceptable, progressive, and verifiable work experience under the supervision of a licensed land surveyor.”