In general, people who like surveying also like math—primarily geometry and trigonometry. The field attracts people with geology, forestry, history, engineering, computer science, and astronomy backgrounds, too. High school students interested in surveying should take courses in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, drafting, computer aided drafting (CAD), geography and computer science.
Surveyors get started in their career through many paths. It could be through a summer job, through a class about surveying, or from a family member who knows or who is a surveyor. Many surveyors suggest spending a summer working on a survey crew and asking questions. You don’t have to have a degree or experience to help on a crew as a summer job. It can provide a chance to see what surveying is all about.