Welcoming Monica Gilmore from Mississippi, USA! Let’s learn some more about her:

How did you get into surveying? Executive Director for the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers & Surveyors

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? To share information about the career opportunities that exist in the surveying field, especially as it relates to the K-12 subgroup. To speak about and promote #Surveying and professional licensure whenever and wherever, possible.

Tell us a bit about what you do: Our agency is responsible for the review and approval for applications from individuals and firms to practice engineering and / or surveying in the State of Mississippi. In addition, we are also responsible for investigating complaints against licensees. Increasingly, we are also being responsive to K-12 outreach requests to introduce youth to career opportunities in engineering and surveying.

Anything else you’d like to add? As a state Agency we are responsible for $600,000 in grants fund on a biannual basis for ABET accredited engineering and surveying programs in the State of Mississippi.

Introducing our fabulous distributer of GKiS Posters, CICES! Let’s learn some more about them:

1. Company Name – Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES)
2. Location – Sale, Greater Manchester
3. Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? Engaging with Get Kids into Survey is strategically important for CICES (the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors) because it helps tackle the industry’s skills shortage by building early awareness of surveying careers among young people. It also modernises perceptions of the profession by showcasing its use of advanced technology, supports diversity by reaching a broader range of students, and strengthens CICES’s role as a leader shaping the future workforce. Overall, it creates a stronger talent pipeline while enhancing the institution’s reputation and influence across education and industry.
4. What do you do? The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) is the leading international professional body for specialists in geospatial engineering and commercial management in infrastructure. CICES membership demonstrates that individuals are competent in their field and committed to continuing professional development.
5. How long has your professional body been active within the survey industry? The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors began life in 1969 as the Association of Surveyors in Civil Engineering and was incorporated in 1972. In 2009 CICES was awarded a royal charter which recognised the importance of the contribution it makes to the construction industry and society as a whole.
6. How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry? I was brought into CICES as the Education Outreach Manager for my background in education. For 3 years, I worked as a primary school teacher, teaching Year 3 and Year 4 at a school in Cramlington, Northumberland. I had little initial knowledge about the surveying sector but I am a fast learner and am rapidly understanding the importance of the role when it comes to all elements of infrastructure and construction.
7. Your website
8. How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name?Our mascot is named Griffin; he has the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. The lion is tied to the earth whilst the eagle is has a wide field of vision and the ability to see patterns from above. Surveying as a profession sits right between those two ideas. It’s about precise measurement on the ground and big-picture spatial awareness.

Welcoming Brand Ambassador Chandana Rathnayake from the South East England, UK (covering EU and Sri Lanka remotely too):

How did you get into surveying? I began my career as a hydrographer in the Sri Lanka Navy, where I was introduced to seabed mapping, navigation safety, and survey operations. That early exposure developed into a long-term profession. I later advanced through formal IHO Category A and B training and transitioned into the offshore industry. Today, I lead hydrographic operations in the UK, working on complex geophysical and cable route surveys. My journey has always been driven by practical field experience combined with continuous learning.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? As an ambassador, I want to make geospatial and hydrospatial careers visible and understandable to young people. I plan to support school engagement and simple workshops that explain how surveying works in real life. I will bring practical examples from offshore projects, including equipment, data, and real use cases, to make learning engaging. I also aim to connect the initiative with industry by opening opportunities for exposure to vessels, technology, and career pathways.

Tell us a bit about what you do: I am the Head of Hydrography Department at EGS International, responsible for planning and delivering offshore survey projects. My work involves multibeam bathymetry (MBES), positioning systems (GNSS and USBL), and data quality control for engineering and cable route surveys. I also lead training and mentoring within the department, ensuring surveyors understand both the theory and practical application of geospatial data. A key part of my role is turning complex survey data into reliable information that supports safe and informed decisions offshore.

Anything else you’d like to add? Hydrospatial and geospatial surveying are often hidden professions, yet they play a critical role in energy, environment, and global infrastructure. From my experience, young people become highly engaged when they see real-world applications rather than theory alone. As both a professional and a parent.(of 3 kids), I understand how to communicate these ideas in a simple and relatable way. I am keen to support not only students, but also teachers and parents, by providing clear insight into career pathways and the skills required to enter this field.

Welcoming Iliyan Parashkevov who is covering Varna, Sofia, Stara Zagora areas of Bulgaria! Let’s learn some more about him:

How did you get into surveying? Architecture and construction route , 3d modelling  and drone pilot. Working at Varna Municipality for 10 years in architecture department which led to more techniques.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I have 2 kids , boys – 8 and 6 years old. They love drones, playstation, 3d games and my work. I want to teach them all I know, all the kids and their parents, all architects and friends 🙂 even the schools, univercity, Municipality and Government have to know all about this career.

Tell us a bit about what you do: Graduate architect , I work as an Architect for 10 years at Varna Municipality, Urban planning, Architecture, Constructions and Geodesy. BIM, CAD, GIS, 3D modelling and rendering, LiDAR scanning, Drone mapping,

Welcoming Abolanle Parashtchak from Abuja, Nigeria Africa:

How did you get into surveying? Studied surveying and geo-informatics at University, after my education I got fully involved!

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? To spread the good news and share how survey has impacted my life as a woman; to kids and the younger generation.

Tell us a bit about what you do: We offer services in Surveying, road design & planning and project management services to support infrastructure and development projects.

Anything else you’d like to add? I see games of football and games for doctors and builders, nothing foe surveying! A game would be a great way to get the younger generation involved.

Welcoming Shane Christy from the state of Florida, USA:

How did you get into surveying? I started working at a survey company on by chance over 20 years ago, and I’m still doing it today!

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador: I work with local schools and technical colleges to get the word out about what we do.

What do you do? I’m a project manager and licensed surveyor in the state of Florida.

Anything else you’d like to mention? I do regular events with high schools and technical colleges that are local to SW Florida.  I’ve also been a judge on behalf of NSPS for the Future Cities competition, and I run a charitable Sporting Clays contest annually that raises funds to support local and state scholarships and charitable initiatives on behalf of the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society.  To that end, I’ve been a chapter President and am currently serving as a district director for the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society.

Welcoming Christie Propst from North Central Kentucky (Louisville, Lexington, Frankfort) USA! Let’s learn some more about her:

How did you get into surveying? I took a seasonal job in Colorado doing invasive species plant management which involved mapping plant populations using a GPS and GIS. I went back to school for GIS and ended up took a job as a survey technician at a construction company. The more I learned about boundary and surveying, the more I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? To educate others about what surveying is, why it’s important, & to mentor future surveyors.

Tell us a bit about what you do: I currently work for an engineering company in the survey department. I get to do a variety of surveying- boundary, ALTA, construction layout, conservation easements, right of way, bridge surveys, laser scanning, drone surveys, topographic surveys…

Anything else you’d like to add? I especially want to work with and encourage women who are interested in the surveying field.

Welcoming Kate Bartels who is covering South West UK as a Brand Ambassador. Let’s learn some more about her:

How did you get into surveying? Studied BSc (hons) GIS and Geology, now run a geospatial education business.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? To share and utilise the resources to enhance my existing career resources and be a female role model in the geospatial sector. To provide guidance, advice and knowledge of what is available for young females in the surveying/ geospatial sector.

Tell us a bit about what you do: I host workshops for schools and colleges raising awareness of geospatial science and associated careers using microdrones.

Anything else you’d like to add? As a female drone pilot, I am part of the 4% of women currently working with drone technology in the geospatial sector. I am passionate about showcasing the diverse and exciting career pathways available, particularly through my role as an ambassador with Get Kids into Survey.