What Education and Career Resources Does LSAW Offer for Aspiring Land Surveyors?

The Land Surveyors Association of Washington (LSAW) offers a structured pathway for people entering the surveying profession, from college and career programs through scholarships, mentorship, job shadowing, a young surveyors network, a job board, and continuing education such as the Certified Survey Technician (CST) program, workshops, and recorded events. These resources are aimed at students, career changers, and early-career surveyors in Washington State. Most are accessed through the LSAW website's Education & Careers and Events sections, and some—such as member login areas and the LSAW Store—may require an account.

College and Career Programs

LSAW maintains dedicated college and career programming for people exploring surveying as a profession. This is the natural starting point if you are a student deciding on a major or a working adult considering a career change. The association frames these programs as part of its broader mission to "protect and advance the profession," and it reports a membership of more than 1,000 people working in Washington surveying.

Scholarships

LSAW lists scholarships among its education resources. For an aspiring surveyor, this is one of the most concrete forms of support: it offsets the cost of surveying coursework or a degree program. The site does not publish award amounts or eligibility rules in the material available here, so treat the scholarship page as the entry point and confirm current criteria directly with LSAW before applying.

Mentorships and Job Shadowing

Mentorship and job shadowing are listed as distinct programs. Job shadowing is the lower-commitment option: you spend time observing a licensed surveyor at work to see whether field and office tasks match your expectations. Mentorship is a longer relationship, useful if you want guidance on coursework, licensing steps, or career direction. For someone who has never set foot on a survey crew, shadowing first and then seeking a mentor is a sensible sequence.

WA Young Surveyors Network

The Washington Young Surveyors Network is LSAW's community for early-career professionals and students. It functions as both a peer group and a learning channel. The site's events calendar shows the network holding virtual meetings—for example, a Young Surveyors Network Virtual Meeting scheduled for October 28, 2026—which makes participation possible without travel. Joining this network is a practical way to hear about internships, exam preparation, and entry-level openings from people at a similar career stage.

Job Board

LSAW operates a job board where surveying employers post openings. For an aspiring surveyor, this is where education translates into a first position: you can look for entry-level field or office roles, and you can compare what employers ask for against the skills you are building through courses or shadowing. Check the board alongside the mentorship programs, since a mentor can often help you interpret which postings suit your current level.

Certified Survey Technician (CST) and Northwest Surveyor

Two resources support skill development and professional standing:

• Certified Survey Technician (CST): a certification track that gives technicians a recognized credential. It is relevant once you are working in the field and want a verifiable marker of competence short of full licensure.
• Northwest Surveyor: LSAW's publication, described on the site as the way to "stay up to date on LSAW and industry news." Reading it builds familiarity with regional practice issues, technology changes, and association news—useful context for interviews and coursework.

The site also lists a PLS Refresher Course Video Library under LSAW Resources, which is aimed at people preparing for the Professional Land Surveyor exam rather than at beginners, but it illustrates the association's continuing-education offerings.

Events, Workshops, and Recorded Events

LSAW's events calendar combines chapter meetings, workshops, a conference, and recorded events. The pattern of upcoming listings shows how the calendar works in practice:

Chapter meetings are typically low-barrier: they are held at local venues and give you a chance to meet working surveyors before committing to a membership. Recorded events are the most flexible option if your schedule conflicts with live sessions.

How to Start

A practical sequence for an aspiring surveyor using these resources:

1. Read the Education & Careers section to identify the college and career programs and the scholarship page.
2. Attend a chapter meeting or the Young Surveyors Network virtual meeting to meet practitioners; check the events calendar for dates and locations.
3. Apply for a scholarship if you are enrolled in or planning surveying coursework—confirm current eligibility with LSAW first.
4. Arrange job shadowing, then look for a mentor as your interest solidifies.
5. Use the job board when you are ready to apply for entry-level work, and consider the CST credential once employed.
6. Join LSAW when you want full access to member benefits; membership information and the member login are separate from the public resource pages.

Common Questions

Do I need to be a member to use these resources? The site presents education, career, and event information publicly, but member login areas and the LSAW Store exist separately, so some content or purchases may require an account. Confirm access before relying on a specific resource.

Is there anything for people outside Washington? The programs are oriented to Washington State—chapter meetings are regional and the job board reflects local employers—but virtual meetings and recorded events are accessible from anywhere.

Where do I find a surveyor to shadow or mentor me? LSAW's Find a Surveyor directory lists licensed Washington land surveyors by area, which is also a reasonable way to identify local firms to contact about shadowing.