Maryland Surveyor (MS):
When did you start surveying?
Jeremy Burns (JB):
Second week of 2007. I remember my first day and how tired my eyes were from looking through the gun and getting 150 shots. Little did I know how slow my party chief was moving to accommodate the newbie.
MS:
Why did you get into surveying?
JB:
At 14 years old, I took Surveying Merit Badge and never really gave it much thought for a career. At 23 years old, I was working quite a few part-time jobs while trying to figure out what to do with my life. One of my bosses also owned a cleaning company that had a contract with The Wilson T. Ballard Company. Every once in a while I would help him clean in return for a steak dinner. He called me one day asking if I knew of anyone looking for a job surveying because Ballard was looking for an Instrument Man. I asked him to tell me more. In January 2007, I showed up without a clue what the job required. After a few months I knew I didn't want to be standing behind the gun the rest of my life. I found out that if I went back to finish my bachelor's degree, I could sit for the licensing exams earlier.
MS:
Describe one of your best experiences while surveying.
JB:
We were searching for Baseline References for I-270. Our state book sketch showed near equidistant swing ties to 4, 6 and 8-inch trees. Ready to give up, I found myself near equidistant from 10, 12 and 14-inch trees. I actually kicked a leaf from hiding the capped rebar. The party chief shook my hand.
MS:
Describe one of your worst experiences while surveying.
JB:
We were doing some property recon about a mile or two away from the truck. Following along some board fence remnants in the woods, we were struggling to find evidence. A lone board with a nail in the most inopportune orientation found its way directly through my boot and into my foot. The hike back to the truck was miserable.
MS:
When did you get licensed and do you have more than one license?
JB:
I received my MD license in 2013 and my Delaware license in 2014. I just received notice that I have been accepted to sit for the Pennsylvania exam.
MS:
What type of surveying makes up most of your work?
JB:
During my first time at Ballard, we did a little bit of everything, but mostly Topo and Boundary for Inter-County Connector Environmental Stewardship sites and Topo for WSSC projects. At Rodgers Consulting I worked mostly on Subdivision Record Plats and easement descriptions. Back at Ballard, I am currently working on SHA Right-of-Way Plats and I run our Utility Designation crew.
MS:
Who are some of the surveyors that influenced your knowledge in the profession (in school or on the job)?
JB:
My early morning discussions and arguments with Tim Quinn over 'What if's' developed me into the surveyor I have become. Without questioning one's mentors, a potential surveyor becomes a clone of them instead of discovering who he really is.
MS:
What was special about what you learned from them?
JB:
Our discussions taught me how to think. The answer is almost always, "It depends".
MS:
What advice would you give to new surveyors?
JB:
Team up with a mentor. Don't be afraid to question his thought process and learn why he did or didn't do something.
MS:
When you are not surveying, what do you like to do?
JB:
I helped a buddy build an off-road truck about 15 years ago and it has made its way back to my workshop. I am working on getting it running again. My youngest son likes to help by dumping all my tools on the floor.
