Chain boy Job role
Chain boy Job role
(OP)
Hi, apologies if this is in the wrong place i wasn't sure where to post!
I'm about to graduate BEng Civil Engineering and have heard a few things about the role of a 'chain boy'
is this actually a job that can be applied for etc as so far i haven't been able to find much even though i've heard it mentioned a fair amount!
Any information is much appreciated!
I'm about to graduate BEng Civil Engineering and have heard a few things about the role of a 'chain boy'
is this actually a job that can be applied for etc as so far i haven't been able to find much even though i've heard it mentioned a fair amount!
Any information is much appreciated!





RE: Chain boy Job role
http://www.sccollege.edu/Departments/CareerEd/Appr...
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role
Assuming you eventually get involved in land development engineering, it will be helpful to have some background in surveying.
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role
Back until the 60's, University of Illinois used to require all Civil Engineering students to attend a six week surveying camp in Wisconsin. So Joe engineering student was surveying a level line along a railway. It was summer and hot, so when he (no she's in engineering back then) encountered a bar, he thought he'd enjoy a frosty libation, leaving the instrument set up on the tracks. I'm sure he didn't put two and two together when he heard a train whistle. And that was the end for that level.
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role
As a graduate C.E. you should aspire to something more than a chainman, if you can find it. But, that is a starting point, keep your eyes and ears open and soak in all you can, as quickly as you can. You will likely have a chance to learn a lot of ‘how they do that and why,’ very quickly, and that’s what shows you are aspiring to be more.
There is nothing funny about train tracks. Always look and be able to see both ways. Never work to close to the end of a line of standing cars, unless you can see the other end and keep track of it. An engine pushing those cars back happens very quickly and without warning. On multiple tracks never step out from behind a line of cars without looking first. A fast train along side that line of cars happens very quickly and can not always be heard.
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role
Ya... And now look what you’ve become.
Didn’t your mother never learn you no better?
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RE: Chain boy Job role
This is an understatement.
At my first job the younger guys which was almost everyone besides the owners would joke and ask how to survey using horses and chains. Same guy could calculate a structure by hand, did some grading, but really liked the survey part of the job. He also built houses for the poor on his spare time. My point is that knowing more about the whole field will make you that much better in the future. And there is nothing wrong with starting out in that position while times are tough.
B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer
http://bwengr.com | http://bwstructuralengineer.com | http://bwcivilengineer.com
RE: Chain boy Job role
Nevertheless, apologies for the vulgarity, but you had better get used to it if you spend any time in the field! And, yes, I believe that working in the field for a minimum of 1 year should be required for all design professionals! There has always been a huge disconnect between how things get built and how they are designed, and it is only getting worse. All my bosses since my time in the field have commented that my field experience is what set me apart from other candidates.
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role
RE: Chain boy Job role