There are many different types of Surveyors, below is an explanation of some that might interest you and your children. The great news is, because there are so many options,  there’s something to suit everyone…..

Land Surveyors: are people who plot, measure and record the details of the land, using previous maps as well as creating their own.

Archaeological Surveyors: are a specialised type of land surveying who report the finds made in an archaeological site or to show the relationship of the archaeological site to the landscape.

Property Surveyors: are people who inspect the condition of houses and buildings. They will spot problems like unstable walls and highlight any major repairs or alterations needed, such as fixing a roof.

Utilities Surveyors: are people who measure services above and below the ground. Checking on the structures and facilities needed for an organisation such as water pipes and power lines. 

Mining Surveyors: are people who explore and estimate material below the surface of the ground in mines.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist: Works with GIS to analyse and visualise spatial data, creating maps and data models.

Engineering Surveyors: are people who figure out where man-made objects such as highways and bridges as well as buildings and pipes should be located. Often conducts pre-construction and post-construction surveys

Aerial / Remote Sensing Surveyors: are people who collect information and images from airplanes, helicopters or other aerial methods. often using LiDAR technology to access large or inaccessible areas.

Forensic Surveyors: Gathers spatial evidence and reconstructs accident or crime scenes using surveying and mapping techniques.

Hydrographic Surveyors: are people who use special equipment on vessels to decide the geography of a body of water, including the depth, tide measurements, shoreline obstacles, and physical features of the body’s floor. 

Take a look through our FREE resources which all link to fun activities that educate about surveying!

Welcoming Dioptra’s new character a mountain bluebird! Long standing supporters of GKiS, please read on to learn more about them:

1. Company Name – Our name is Dioptra—named after the ancient Greek astronomical and surveying instrument, the dioptra.
2. Location – We are located in Chubbuck, Idaho and service all of Eastern Idaho.
3. Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? The surveying industry, like many technical fields, faces an aging workforce. Encouraging young people to get involved in surveying helps ensure a pipeline of future professionals who will be essential to the growth and sustainability of the industry. Many people aren’t aware of the opportunities available in surveying. By helping to “Get Kids into Survey,” we are raising awareness about the profession and its importance in building infrastructure, mapping land, and understanding our environment. It can help foster a better understanding of how surveying impacts everything from construction to land boundaries.
4. What do you do? We are a land surveying and consulting company that provides full-service land surveying services on residential, commercial, roadway, and land development projects. Our team’s mission is to provide accurate and effective land surveying solutions that are responsive to our client’s needs in an innovative, professional, and quality manner.
5. How long have you been in the survey industry? Dioptra was founded in 2000. After 25 years in business, we are happy to see how our business has grown and served the region.
6. How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry? I started working on a survey crew as a summer job in high school. After that summer, I was hooked! I decided to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Geomatics and then from there earned the necessary experience to become a professional land surveyor. The rest is history!
7. State a funny fact about you: I can be a bit clumsy when perched on a wire or a fence post. My long, slender body and slightly awkward stance often makes me look like I’m trying a little too hard. Almost like I am always trying to look “cool” but occasionally lose my balance!
8. Favorite piece of kit and why? My favorite survey instrument is our 3D laser scanner. We can collect millions of data points in just a few seconds. After we process the individual point clouds and stitch them all together, we create one big point cloud that you can pan and zoom around in, making it feel like you are standing on site.
9. Favorite Survey technique and why? I love creating topographic maps! Using equipment such as a drone, 3D scanner, GNSS, or robotic total stations, we collect data of the natural and man-made features of the land. We then create surfaces models and maps of the land’s contours, bodies of water, utilities, and structures like buildings and roads.
10. Your website
11. How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name? Sky the Bluebird Guy is a mountain bluebird—Idaho’s state bird. The mountain bluebird is a symbol of hope, love, and renewal. It is a beautiful little bird that lives in the higher elevations, giving it its name.

Introducing our sponsors “Seafloor Systems Inc” answered by their CEO John Tamplin.

Company name: Seafloor Systems, Inc.

Location: 4475 Golden Foothill Parkway, El Dorado Hills, CA, 95762

Why did you get involved in Get Kids into Survey? Seafloor is very aware of the challenges the Survey Community faces in regard to recruiting future talent to the field.  By engaging kids at an early age, we hope to spur interest in the industry that will carry over into their studies and future careers.

What do you do? Seafloor Systems is a small California-based business specializing in providing turnkey Hydrographic Survey System solutions, both on manned vessels  (small, large, new builds) and on our own Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV’s).  We have over 20 years experience with Multibeam sonar equipment; for two decades, we have grown and evolved with this emerging cutting-edge hydrographic technology.  

How long have you been in the Survey Industry? Our CEO John Tamplin founded Seafloor in 1999.

How did you get into the Industry? Following a US Navy Career as a specialized hydrographer with Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, I joined Reson, Inc., now Teledyne Reson, and have been in the field ever since.

Funny fact about you: I’m an avid Mountain biker, but not a very good one apparently since I tend to show up at the office on Monday with various bruises, scrapes, broken bones, and blackened eyes.

Favourite piece of kit and why? The multibeam echosounder. Multibeam sonars have made hydrographic surveying more efficient and more precise, and at sea navigation much safer. 

Favourite Survey technique and why? Acoustic surveying is by far my favorite technique for the reasons stated above but also due to the cool technical advances we continue to see at an ever increasing rate.

Your website: https://www.seafloorsystems.com/

How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name? We chose the Hydro Cat to represent not just the name of our USV pictured in the image but to also represent what a cool field hydrography is.

Introducing Emina Jahic, our first Brand Ambassador covering the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina! Let’s learn some more about her:

How did you get into surveying?

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador, Katie Britt, who is covering the area of Florida, USA! Let’s learn some more about her:

How did you get into surveying?

Introducing our latest Brand Sponsor Elevate Offshore, who feature in the ‘Winter’ poster! Let’s learn some more about them:

1.   Company Name: Elevate Offshore
2.   Location: While our offices are based in Singapore and the UK, our reach spans across the globe. We provide essential personnel and project support services to offshore operators worldwide. I’ve attached a customised map that offers a snapshot of the dynamic projects we’re currently involved in, showcasing our commitment to delivering top-tier services on a global scale.
3.   Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? Introducing children to offshore surveying at a young age ignites their curiosity and inspires them to explore careers they might not otherwise encounter. Programs like Get Kids into Survey are essential for sparking interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields and helping children understand how these careers contribute to the world around them.

Through initiatives such as scholarships and mentorships, Elevate Offshore has seen firsthand how exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities can transform young people’s aspirations. When young people gain access to the industry, they acquire technical skills and develop a deep understanding of teamwork, problem-solving, and environmental responsibility. Introducing them to these concepts early helps them develop a sense of possibility – that careers in science, surveying, or offshore energy are not just for “someone else” but could be for them, too.

Elevate Offshore’s focus in this project is on showing the exciting side of what we do – using technology to map the ocean floor, understanding the secrets of the deep sea, or building structures that harness the power of the wind and waves. By helping kids see the magic behind surveying, we hope to inspire them to imagine themselves as the explorers, problem-solvers, and innovators of the future.

4.   What do you do? 

Technical Manager – Survey

Supporting Clients building survey teams to support their projects worldwide. Engaging with survey contractors. Interviewing and assessing skills and experience. Support recruitment, training and development with the team. Mentoring scholarship students. Smashing Sales!

5.   How long have you been in the survey industry? 28 years in total, 25 years offshore. Almost 3 with Elevate.

6.   How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry?  Early interest in deep sea exploration and Survey. BSC Honourss course in Maritime Studies.

7.   State a funny fact about you… In the vast majority of photographs taken of me over the past 49 years. I have my eyes closed.

8.   Favourite piece of kit and why? Kongsberg APOS. USBL. Once it’s calibrated correctly enables a wide range of operations.

9.   Favourite Survey technique and why? I always enjoyed as-built Survey. It’s the final survey after completing subsea construction operations. Putting everything together delivering the end results to the client.

10.  Your website
11.  How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name? The hammerhead shark represents the core attributes of Elevate Offshore – great vision, precision, and adaptability. The hammerhead’s unique head shape provides incredible vision, much like how we approach our projects with a clear view of the bigger picture as we navigate dynamic environments. We have named our hammerhead Scout, as it encapsulates its role in seeking out opportunities, solving challenges, and navigating the seas – just like a surveyor!

The surveying industry faces several challenges when it comes to recruitment. Some of the key issues include:

• Skills Shortage: There is a shortage of skilled surveyors, particularly those with expertise in emerging technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial data analysis. The rapidly changing nature of the industry requires professionals to continuously update their skills, leading to a gap between demand and the available skilled workforce. See vacancies on RICS.

• Ageing Workforce: Many surveyors are approaching retirement age, and there has been a struggle to attract younger talent to replace them. The ageing demographic in the industry poses a risk of losing valuable experience and knowledge, and there is a need for a younger generation to enter the field (RICS reported in 2019 that the average age of a surveyor in the UK was as high as 55!).

• Perception and Awareness: The surveying profession often suffers from a lack of public awareness and a misconception that it is all construction related. This perception can deter individuals, especially younger generations, from considering surveying as a modern and technologically advanced career

• Educational Challenges: Limited educational programs and courses in surveying, especially those that incorporate the latest technologies, can hinder the development of a skilled workforce. Educational institutions may need to adapt their curricula to align with industry needs and promote surveying as an attractive career path. In the UK there’s been a recent addition of t-levels which provide hands on work experience whilst having a percentage of time learning in college.

• Limited Diversity: The surveying industry has historically been male-dominated, and there is a need for more efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Encouraging a more diverse workforce can bring in different perspectives and ideas, contributing to innovation and growth in the industry. “Based on data from February 2022, women represented only 18% of RICS’ then 139,000 international professionals across 23 pathways” see report here.

To address these challenges, stakeholders in the surveying industry like us at ‘Get Kids into Survey’, are collaborating to promote the profession. This movement aims to improve educational opportunities (courses on offer/routes into the career), and create initiatives to attract a diverse and skilled workforce.

Surveying is super important because it helps us build new infrastructure, use new and improved technology, environmental stewardship, and address global challenges. These factors show people how awesome surveying is and ensures the sustainability and growth of the profession!

Here are 25 tips on how to promote surveying to kids and secure the industry’s future:

• Interactive Workshops: Conduct hands-on workshops where kids can engage in simple surveying activities. Find some examples in the ‘Pick ‘N’ Mix Outreach Sessions’ in the Brand Ambassador Hub.
• Surveying Kits: Create DIY surveying kits for kids, including basic tools and instructions for fun experiments. Perfect if you have your own surveying equipment to hand (drones maybe?).
• Cartoon Characters: Surveying cartoon characters showcase the adventures of surveyors, making it relatable and entertaining for kids. These can be found in the GKiS posters each with different themes!
• STEM Camps: Organise STEM camps with a focus on surveying, integrating science, technology, engineering, and maths in a practical way. This could be done in collaboration with other companies in your local area for a fun STEM careers day.
• Geocaching: Have a go at geocaching to introduce kids to the concept of using GPS for treasure hunting. Available as an app on your phone.
• Games: Carlson Software have created a Hydrology game that teaches about surveying concepts and tools. You can even compete with your peers to see who can come up with the most efficient solution
• Psst- keep an eye on GKiS’s page for Minecraft updates… more to be revealed soon.
• Junior Scouts Visits: Go to local clubs or groups where kids can participate in surveying-related activities, there’s even a surveying badge depending on your location.
• Nature Exploration: Connect surveying with nature walks, teaching kids how to measure and map elements in their environment. 
• Career Day Demos: Set up an engaging stand during a school career day to spark curiosity about surveying careers. Without representation at events how do we expect kids to know about a surveying career?
• Comic Book: The GeoSquad Comic Book tells a story about a world without surveyors. The GeoSquad have to work with The Last Surveyor to try and save the city! Demonstrating key surveying phrases and technology throughout.
• Robotics Integration: Integrate surveying concepts into robotics programs, showcasing the intersection of technology and surveying. Those interested in technology would potentially enjoy this career so it would be great to market it towards these students.
• Augmented Reality (AR): Use AR technology to create immersive experiences, allowing kids to visualise surveying in a virtual environment.
• Speed Dating Careers Event: Organise in your local area a speed dating careers night where different professionals line up and get quizzed by students about what they do in their job.
• Themed Events: Host themed events like “Surveyor Day” at schools, featuring interactive activities and presentations. Combine local surveyors or take a few from your own company as an ‘outreach charity style day’.
• Educational Videos: Record online videos tailored for kids, introducing them to surveying principles and applications. In this day and age kids are watching videos all the time particularly on the channels TikTok and YouTube.
• Student Ambassadors: Teachers should empower older students or young surveying professionals to act as ambassadors, sharing their passion for the field with younger students.
• Vlogging: A day in the life vlog would demonstrate some real-world applications of what it’s like being a surveyor.
• Environmental Projects: Connect surveying with environmental projects, emphasising its role in sustainable development. An example of this is working through one of the Homework Projects that focusses on the GKiS Environmental Disaster poster and themes. 
• Career Pathway Diagrams: Create visual diagrams showing the diverse career pathways within the surveying industry. This is different depending on the state/ country that you are in so there will be no ‘one size fits all’. Diamondback Land Surveying has produced a great one for their state of Nevada.
• Topographical Sandbox Demo: Create your own sandbox or get one here. This piece of equipment is great for teaching about what topographical surveys represent.
• Local Landmark Tours: Organise tours to local landmarks, explaining how surveying contributes to their planning and development. This can be part of a wider picture of including surveying into other life lessons.
• Leverage Social Media: Use social media platforms to share engaging content, challenges, and success stories related to surveying for a younger audience. Between your connections you could inspire others to do some outreach to their family/friends too, having a big effect.
• Colouring in Activities: Have a go at the GKiS colouring sheets, introducing kids to key surveying concepts in a basic and fun way.
• Virtual Reality (VR) Tours: Develop virtual reality tours of surveying projects, allowing kids to explore construction sites and landscapes through their fancy goggles. 
• Fun Fact Campaigns: Share interesting and fun facts about surveying regularly to capture kids’ attention and curiosity.

Hopefully this blog has provided some interesting ideas on how you can help promote surveying to the next generation!

Anything to add? Pop us an email to hello@getkidsintosurvey.com and we will add it to the list 🙂