MLMANIERY wrote:
>
> Steve,
>
> After reading all the responses so far, I feel compelled to add my two cents
> worth.  I own a small environmental planning firm in California and the
> cultural work is about 65% of my total business.  Since we do a lot of work
> that falls under federal review, I HAVE to hire people with a minimum of a
> BA/BS.  That is the federal standard.  On private jobs I can use anyone I
> want.  I don't think this requirement is going to go away; if anything the
> SEc. of Interior standards are becoming stricter in some regards (e.g., at
> some levels the standards require an MA and a person with a BA and many years
> of experience doesn't qualify).  Anyway, that is one restriction as a private
> employer that I have to consider in hiring.
>
> As far as what I look for when hiring and what I expect.  Many of the recent
> college graduates that I have interviewed lately seem to be well grounded in
> theory and method but are woefully lacking in basic skills such as reading a
> USGS topographic map (a must out here), figuring out UTM's, mapping a site
> using a compass (let alone a transit), filling out a site record, and basic
> surveying skills.  I expect to train new people, but I also expect at least a
> rudimentary understanding of something besides how to dig a straight sidewall
> and expose a feature.
>
> Mary Maniery
 
I agree that reading a USGS, or any map, even knowing what a UTM is, and
using a compass are skills that seem to come few and far between among
recent college grads.
 
I would add an undergraduate course in Map Interpretation (or similar),
usually taught in Geography departments as a requirement for Archaeology
students.  The course I took many years ago is still being taught at
Northern Kentucky University.  This class teaches map reading skills,
UTM's, interpretation/case studies etc, and the best part: orienteering
and use of a field compass.
 
Everytime I do a career day there I tell the students that I will hire a
student who has had that class first over ones who have not.  I have
also been suggesting to the dept that they make it a requirement, along
with geology and statistics, but unfortunately they havent listened.
 
Ken, add Map Interpretation to your list.
 
Jeannine Kreinbrink