Ambassador Spotlight ‘Melissa Retana’

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador from Costa Rica, it’s Melissa Retana Sánchez:

Where did you study? Universidad Autónoma de Centroamérica
Requirements to be a Surveyor in your area? Study surveying Engineering at the university and later be part of the sueveyor´s colllge of Costa Rica
How long have you been in the industry? I have 13 years of experience
How did you get into surveying? I worked at an engineering company that built hydroelectric dams and learned about surveying there.
Any associations and organisations you’d like to mention?
Colegio Ingenieros Topógrafos de Costa Rica
Asociación Panamericana de Profesionales de la Agrimensura y Topografía
FIG Young Surveyors
Why are you volunteering as a Brand Ambassador?
I am a mother and I have a vocation to work with children and young people. I am currently chair of the children’s and youth commission of the association to which I belong and the idea was born with the intention of awakening early vocations.
Why is Getting Kids into Survey important?
I carried out research work in Latin America and the data I obtained made me see that children are not showing interest in studying topography despite it being one of the professions with the best future prospects. I find that there is ignorance and that is why they do not access the university to study surveying
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? 
Through the work group that I lead in my country, I am scheduling visits to schools and colleges to bring the little ones closer to our profession.
What are your hobbies?
I like doing pilates, doing puzzles and taking care of plants.
Any GKiS character ideas?
We already have a character, it’s a mole.
Suggestions for more GKiS resources:
Coloring material, videos, anything helps.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I love this program and it was my motivation to carry out the working group in my country.