By Valentin Pulido, VetsWork Intern serving with Ottawa National Forest in MI.
My name is Valentin Pulido, and I am a Land Survey Tech intern with the Ottawa National Forest (ONF). Having recently obtained a graduate degree, I appreciate the opportunities for further professional growth. These are the sort of opportunities that are critical for recent college grads who are looking to “get their foot in the door” while obtaining advanced real-world experiences.
As a land survey tech, I often go into various parts of the forest to collect information using professional GPS equipment through established national surveying standards. The work is important because it plays a role in facilitating contracted timber sales by marking clear boundary lines. These boundary lines enable timber crews to do their job cutting within a defined perimeter. The skills needed for this position are simple but not necessarily easy. To be a Land Survey Tech, one ought to be physically tough and intellectually keen.
By Field and by Office
Work environments vary out in the field. Of course, VetsWork positions attract folks who enjoy being in nature. One benefit to being a land surveyor is that we have access to the entire forest. After a term in the program, one has a good understanding of our million plus acres that make up the ONF. With that said, I often contend with hiking through swamps, dense brush, steep inclines, and endless swarms of biting insects. However, because I have access to proper gear and equipment, these challenges are not much of a problem (and its great exercise). I enjoy working with our Trimble Global Positioning System (GPS) units, as well as, chainsaws and hatchets. My favorite part of field work is riding off-road vehicles to remote sites across dirt, mud, and snow.
Another benefit of being a Land Survey Tech is that there are plenty of opportunities to work in the office. The data that is collected in the field from the Trimble units may be processed using ArcGIS Pro and AutoCAD. In all, these are industry leading software suites that are relatively expensive to obtain as a private individual. The potential benefits of practical knowledge in these software packages could be substantial. As a Land Survey Tech, I also work alongside our Reality Specialists who have taught me a lot about property law, deed and title research. This knowledge supplements my role in surveying while adding further marketable skills.
Sights on the Future
The work I have conducted through VetsWork has been deeply rewarding. In a time of chaotic uncertainty for many people, I am gracious that MAI offers space to hone my skills for professional development. Wherever I go, be it with the Forest Service or the private sector, I will move forward having been granted an experience with unparalleled levels of support. At the Ottawa National Forest, I am not “just an intern” but I am a contributing member of the team. I take pride in knowing the work I do helps the forest achieve its mission, while at the same time, I am taking steps to establishing a career.
