Introducing our new Brand Ambassador ‘Carolyn Robins’ from the UK!
What do you do and what company do you work for? So I am the Strategic Partners Manager at Built Intelligence (sounds fancy but it’s not!) The company is a cross between a training company and a software company, providing training, learning, and contract software solutions to the construction industry.
Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? Built Intelligence is an accredited training provider for CITB and works with about half the top 200 construction companies around the world providing support and bespoke learning. As a small agile company we can offer tailor made solutions, written and presented by construction experts. One of our greatest assets I think, is ReachBack, our free Q&A help desk covering all construction related topics – is such a great support tool, used by over 250,000 construction professionals for quick and easy answers and advice.
Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? Personally, having 2 daughters I have always felt it was difficult for kids to make informed choices about options and careers when there is limited careers support and they don’t know what the choices are out there! I got involved in setting up a regular careers slot at my local school and dragged along a surveyor to talk about his career and it escalated from there really. I also signed up to volunteer through a local organisation and go into local schools to take part in assemblies and have done a couple of ‘What’s my Line’ where kids ask questions to a panel to guess asking what our jobs are!
Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? The surveying world is massive and so diverse! A lot of children (and adults!) think of a residential house survey and that’s it! They have no idea of the depth and range surveying has – and the geospatial industry is like being an astronaut it’s so exciting! If we can share this with kids, get them excited, it opens up opportunities around the whole world!
What are you going to be doing as an ambassador for GKiS? I’m working on a cunning plan! I hope that the team at Built Intelligence and I can get involved on lots of levels! Starting with sharing information on social media and promoting GKiS, on to setting up a news page on our communities and other ways to promote digitally.
How did you get into surveying? I’ve been involved in the property environment one way or another since leaving school! First job in a commercial agency in Devon (and helped sell my parents hotel!) and more recently spent 7 years at RICS which gave me a great insight into surveying and surveyors and the breadth of expertise and opportunities is staggering!
What are your hobbies? During lockdown I realised that my main hobbies are socialising (either with family or friends) so I also took up crocheting (currently working on a wine carrier…)
If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? Probably a techie hero with Harry Potter glasses, a cape, a phone in one hand and a tripod in the other! (Think I just described the boss!) Characters name? Digital Dave or Techno Tom!
What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS? Always thinking ahead, a Christmas theme would be good – helping Santa navigate his way with travel restrictions and social distancing – oh and building an extension to his warehouse for all the extra presents the kids should be getting to make up for lockdown (think the parents should be getting some medals too!)
Anything else you want to add that you think our audience (surveyors, teachers, parents) would be interested in? I think with both GKiS and Built Intelligence, the focus must be on supporting, sharing, caring, and working in an ethical, energised and transparent way. Sharing stories, news, information and adventures through articles, blogs and social media – for training or just for fun!
For more information about Built Intelligence and training for the construction industry click here and for ReachBack free helpdesk click here.