Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Paddy Jordan from North Carolina, USA:
Where did you study? Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, NC
What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area?
To be eligible for the PLS license in North Carolina, the applicant must: https://www.ncbels.org/applications/professional-land-surveyor/
- Satisfy the education requirements per G. S. 89C-13.
- Pass the FS and PS exams.
- Satisfy the experience requirements per G. S. 89C-13 and present evidence satisfactory to the Board of a specific record of progressive surveying experience after the date of graduation that is of a grade and character that indicates to the Board that the applicant is competent to practice surveying.
- Submit an acceptable map.
- Maps should be a simple black and white 18” x 24” single page plat.
- All maps must be from actual surveys and comply with the North Carolina Standards of Practice for Land Surveying (Board Rules). It must also comply with G. S. 47-30 (Mapping Requirements for Recordable Maps). For your reference, there is a sample map on the Board’s web site (Sample Map).
- All maps must contain a statement that the fieldwork, calculations and drawing was done by the applicant.
- The applicant’s name must be identified in the statement and signed by a Professional Land Surveyor.
- If after Board review the map needs to be revised, the applicant should cloud, describe and date the revisions.
- Pass the North Carolina State Specific Exam. The state exam tests an applicant’s knowledge of the laws, procedures and practices pertaining to land surveying in North Carolina, which includes testing what a PLS can do per G. S. 89C and the incidental drainage guidelines with respect to erosion control and surface drainage. This is an open book exam administered at the Board office. Applicants may bring bound reference materials and a calculator as approved by NCEES (Approved Calculators).
How did you get into surveying? Discovered it by accident, wanted to be an architect because I enjoyed drafting. Found civil engineering and surveying after I graduated high school and was looking into other careers.
If you are not a surveyor, what do you do? I went to college for surveying and civil engineering, but I am currently working as a roadway designer for Mott MacDonald.
How long have you been in the industry? Over 27 years.
Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention?
Future City Competition – https://futurecity.org/what-is-future-city/
Future City is a project-based learning program where students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future.
Transportation YOU – https://www.wtsinternational.org/mission/wts-foundation/transportation-you
The mission of the Transportation YOU program is to develop the next generation of the transportation industry by growing the involvement and interest of girls and young women in STEM studies and more.
NCLUG – North Carolina Local User Group (Bentley Systems) – https://nclug.com/
We host software and other training to industry professionals, but we also do outreach activities like training for colleges and toy for tots drives.
Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? Love what GKiS is doing to reach the younger generations. I see a decline of candidates in the industry and want to do my part help the next generation find meaningful work and a great career.
Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? These are great careers which will have a profound impact on our future. It is important that kids are introduced to the knowledge that these careers existing, so they can explore options to find something they enjoy. Even if a kid does not like the field, at least they will know what it is and have a greater understanding of the surveying and geospatial world.
What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? I plan to share the GKiS website and material with teachers and students whenever I get the opportunity. I also plan to encourage my colleagues to share the material and be active within the community. I will also promote business to join the GKiS team to help grow the program.
What are your hobbies? I like boating at the lake and home improvement projects around the house, plus looking after my grandkids.
If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be?
A girl drafting at the computer, printing plans digitally, or leading a board meeting.
A girl teaching a training class to professionals or presenting their career at a school.
What resource would you like to see next from GKiS? Maybe some short videos talking about career field opportunities and statistics like what kind of schooling is needed for the job.
Anything else you want to add that you think our audience (surveyors, teachers, parents) would be interested in? Be sure to reach out to professional organizations like Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Transportation YOU program to request for industry professional to come visit your school to talk about their career. Also there are a lot of other STEM programs that closely align with surveyors that everyone can research for ideas for classrooms activities and presenters. Please reach out if you need help.