Introducing our latest Brand Ambassador Joseph Elwell from Brownsville, Pennsylvania, USA:

Where did you study? I attended the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio grated in 1972 with a degree in Civil engineering.

Introducing our latest Brand Ambassador Dolly Carwile who is covering Central Florida, USA:

Where did you study? University of Central Florida, Seminole State College, Valencia State College, and Daytona State College

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area?

• • • 2 tracks
    • 4 year degree in ABET accredited geomatics or closely related field +4 years responsible charge
    • 4 year degree in any discipline with 25 credit hours related to surveying + 6 years responsible charge

How did you get into surveying? I was in a 2 year degree program for architecture and building construction. Surveying was a required course. Instead of competing with the other 250 students in the program for a handful of architectural jobs, I decided to get in to surveying before finishing my degree.

How long have you been in the industry? Since 2004

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention?

• Florida Surveying & Mapping Society
• National Society of Professional Surveyors

Why are you volunteering as a GKiS Brand Ambassador? I love sharing awareness of surveying as most kids (including myself) never hear of surveying as a career.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? Surveying and geospatial information are integral to our everyday lives and the functioning of society at basic levels. 

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? Get into classrooms and share surveying.

What are your hobbies outside of work? Geocaching, hiking, video games, sewing. cigars

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? There’s already a redhead girl and a cat.

What resource would you like to see next from GKiS? Middle School/Grades targeted material.

Introducing Kris Fairley from Houston, Texas, USA:

Where did you study? Tyler Junior College

How did you get into surveying?  I lucked into surveying, however I knew the first day on the job that I wanted to make a career out of it.

If you are not a surveyor, what do you do?  Currently, I work for a survey equipment dealer in Houston, TX

How long have you been in the industry? I have been in the industry for over two decades.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention?  I am a member of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS)

Why are you volunteering as a GKiS Brand Ambassador?  I enjoy sharing the passion that I have for what I do with the next generations that may not know what surveying is.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry?  Here in Texas there are fewer and fewer joining the profession.  We don’t as a whole advertise to the younger generations.  I want to change that and show just how rewarding of a career surveying can be.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS?  As GKIS Ambassador, I want to do as much outreach as possible.  I already teach a Boy Scouts Surveying Merit Badge several times per year.

What are your hobbies outside of work?  Cooking, DIY projects, and spending time with my teenage son.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? I will have to get back to you on that one.

What resource would you like to see next from GKiS?  Greater ability to order comic books.  My company, AllTerra Central, would probably order them by the hundreds if we could.  I would love to be able to hand them out at various outreach events we hold throughout the year.

Introducing Desiree Hurst an Experienced Partner | Survey Director from Texas, USA.

• Where did you study? M.S., Geospatial Surveying Engineering Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX
  • • B.A., Mathematics, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX

• What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area?
  • • It varies by state to state.  In Texas it was a 4 year degree when I was licensed now it is a 2 year degree.
• How did you get into surveying?
  • • I fell into surveying shortly after I graduated from college.  I was wanting to change career paths when my sister told me about a job opening for a survey technician where the Director of Surveying wanted someone with strong math skills (my undergraduate degree is in math).  I had no idea what surveying was or what I was getting into, but I took the job, discovered an amazing career I enjoyed, and the rest is history.

How long have you been in the industry?

I’m coming up on 18 years in the industry.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention?

• Texas Society of Professional Surveyors – Director
  • Education Forum TSPS DFW Representative
• NCTX Aerial Robotics Advisory Committee – Industry Partner (https://www.nctxaerialrobotics.com/services)
• Educational Service Center Regional 11 Industry Advisory Board – Industry Partner

Why are you volunteering as a GKiS Brand Ambassador?

I wanted to find avenues to help spread the word about surveying and this amazing profession.  GKiS is a great organization that has material that younger kids can understand and relate to.  I believe learning about career options early can help the survey profession grow.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry?

The survey profession is not one that is widely known as a career option.  I had no idea that surveying was a profession when I was in college or even afterwards.  I was lucky to have a family member that introduced me to someone in the profession that mentored me.  I believe if we reach out to kids and teenagers, they may find a career path or an interest in an area that they didn’t know could be a profession.  I don’t think many people realize how the geospatial industry is all around us and necessary for development and growth.   

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS?

As a result of being an ambassador I was able to connect with the NCTX Aerial Robotics Initiative.  This has helped me work with and affect change in my local area.  We have recently been able to get a Regional Program of Study in Geospatial Engineering and Land Surveying approved to be taught in High Schools in our region.  I hope to be able to use the connections and materials from GKiS to continue to work with my local schools and society to continue to help with the education of our youth.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Currently it is chasing my three young children around and taking them to their activities.  I have an almost 2, 9 and 6 years old.  They are already very familiar with surveying and love coming to visit me at work.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be?

I created a GKiS character of my pug that I rescued after college, Tobbie.  I lost him to cancer several years ago and would love to create another character of his best buddy, Tonka.  They were the perfect pair and enjoyed life to the fullest.

What resource would you like to see next from GKiS?

I love the school resources and want to see more activities that can be done with groups of children.  I think they really enjoy hands on activities.

Get Kids into Survey and West Coast Get Kids into Survey have a few events on the horizon to kick off 2024!

Here’s where to expect us in January:

10-12th Jan – South Dakota Society of Professional Land Surveyors

17-19th Jan – Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon

February:

8-9th Feb – North Carolina Society of Surveyors

13-15th Feb – GeoWeek in Denver, GKiS booth #945

27-28th Feb – Idaho Society of Professional Land Surveyors

29-  – Land Surveyors Association of Washington

March:

22-26th March – Nevada association of Land Surveyors & West Fed

Potentially in May:

FIG Conference in Ghana & TUC in Orlando

June:

5-6th June – GeoBusiness Stand G490

September:

26-28th September – Intergeo in Germany

Introducing Tharuka Milani from Central Province in Sri Lanka

Where did you study? 

1. Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

2. Faculty of Graduate studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

3. The State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing, Wuhan University (LIESMARS), Wuhan University, China

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area? 

Complete the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination in the math stream and enroll in a degree program related to surveying offered by either Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka or Kothalawala Defense University. Upon completing the degree, individuals can seek employment in private surveying companies or choose to join the Survey Department of Sri Lanka. Those who join the Survey Department may need to work for a specified period, typically three years, to gain practical experience. After the required work experience, individuals can apply to become a registered government surveyor. Then they are eligible to request a license for private practice through the Land Survey Council. This would allow them to work independently or establish their surveying consultancy. Individuals should follow the specific procedures and requirements set by the council for obtaining and maintaining their licenses.

 How did you get into surveying?

I had dreamt of becoming a civil engineer. To gain admission to a government University Engineering faculty, I needed the higher Z score from the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, I missed the chance to attend the engineering faculty. Determined to find a professional degree program involving fieldwork, as I preferred not to work in an office setting, I explored my options. Considering my Z score, I discovered the B. Sc Surveying Science degree offered by the Faculty of Geomatics at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. In 2013, this was the only faculty providing a surveying science degree. This program aligned perfectly with my interests. It’s worth noting that surveying is not a traditionally favored profession for girls in Sri Lanka; however, it was my passion to become a surveyor, and I embraced it wholeheartedly.

How long have you been in the industry?

6 years

Are you part of any associations or organizations you would like us to mention?

Associate member of SISL (The Surveyors’ Institute of Sri Lanka)

Assistant Lecturer at SUSL (Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka) since 2017-2021

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador?

I am eager to become a GKiS Brand Ambassador because of my strong commitment to promoting surveying, particularly among young generations, with a special emphasis on encouraging girls to explore diverse surveying applications. My passion lies in inspiring and nurturing an interest in surveying among the youth, fostering their curiosity and paving the way for them to consider careers in this field.

One of my primary goals is to highlight the various surveying applications that are particularly favorable for girls, such as remote sensing, GIS, land management, and other innovative technologies. By showcasing the exciting opportunities within these domains, I aim to break stereotypes and encourage more young girls to envision themselves as successful professionals in surveying.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry

introducing kids to surveying and the wider geospatial industry not only prepares them for potential future careers but also cultivates valuable skills, awareness, and a deeper appreciation for the role these fields play in shaping the world around us.

Early exposure to surveying and geospatial technologies helps children understand the breadth of career possibilities within these fields. It broadens their horizons beyond traditional career paths and introduces them to exciting, diverse opportunities.

Educating kids about various real-world applications, from mapping and urban planning to disaster response and environmental conservation provide them with a tangible understanding of how these technologies contribute to solving important global challenges.

Introducing kids to surveying can spark their interest in STEM subjects, fostering a passion for learning and critical thinking that can extend beyond the field of surveying.

Surveying involves critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Introducing kids to these aspects of the field encourages the development of analytical skills and the ability to approach challenges systematically. 

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS?

As a GKiS (Get Kids into Survey) ambassador, my primary goal is to inspire and educate young minds about the exciting world of surveying and the broader geospatial industry.

• Organize and participate in educational programs, workshops, and events aimed at introducing kids to the fundamentals of surveying and geospatial technologies.
• Work closely with schools and educational institutions to integrate surveying-related content into their curriculum, making it more accessible and engaging for students.
• Emphasize the inclusivity of the surveying profession, encouraging children from all backgrounds and genders to explore and consider careers in this field.
• Develop and share hands-on activities and experiments that allow kids to experience the practical side of surveying, making learning interactive and enjoyable
• Share personal stories and experiences to inspire kids, showing them that anyone can pursue a rewarding career in surveying with passion and dedication.
• Actively engage with the community, including parents, educators, and industry professionals, to build a supportive network that encourages and nurtures the interest of kids in surveying.

Through these efforts, my aim is to contribute to GKiS’s mission of making surveying and geospatial sciences accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring for the next generation.

What are your hobbies?

Crafting, Dancing

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? 

Specially a lady surveyor character

It would be a teenage lady surveyor named Terra Explorer. Terra, passionate about mapping and exploring the world, would be depicted as an adventurous and tech-savvy individual who uses geospatial technologies to solve real-world problems.

What resource would you like to see next from GKiS?

I would like to see the development of engaging and interactive educational resources that make learning about surveying and geospatial sciences fun for children such as Digital Games and Apps, Printable or digital activity books with age-appropriate exercises and puzzles related to surveying.

Welcoming Greenhatch one of our amazing sponsors! Remember to take a look at their Homework Project ‘The Power of 3’ and we’d like to thank them for helping to re-stock some of the Digital Construction Posters too:

Company Name – Greenhatch Group Limited

Location All over England. Our HQ “Hatch Quarters” is in Derby (Central England) with other smaller Hatches established in Newcastle (Northeast), St Albans (Southeast) and Chippenham (Southwest).

Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? Kids are our future, and we want to show them how fun it is to measure all different parts of the world and all types of buildings.

What do you do? We undertake measured surveys of the land, rivers buildings, and even locate pipes and services hidden underground.

We use the latest equipment and apply various methodologies to complete these surveys. Our mascot is a duck who can walk, fly and are great on the water, so we can tackle any survey.

How long have you been in the survey industry?  Greenhatch was “hatched” in the mid-1980’s so we have been established for nearly 40 years. We have steadily grown over this period and currently employ over 150 Hatchers.

How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry? We love to draw and also see the world. It’s one of the oldest professions in the world, but nowadays is using the latest technology to create some great drawings and models.

State a funny fact about you… Our mascot Tribus the Duck is the probably the strongest duck in the World.

Tribus is the Latin word for three and has a triangle logo on his chest (just like Superman).

Triangles are a fixed shape and used to strengthen all type of objects.

Just look around your environment and you will see how many things are made of 3 components, and how sturdy/stable the object is.  Three IS the magic number !!!

Favourite piece of kit and why? Laser Scanners. They are egg-cellent for capturing measurements really quickly.

We even put laser scanners in our boat and attach them to our drones, so we can measure anything.

Favourite Survey technique and why? Land surveying, which is know as a topographical survey. It’s great to stretch those legs and walk around interesting towns, parks, woodland etc. 

Sometimes you would have to pay to visit the sites we are asked to survey !!!

Your website

How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name? We wanted a character that could work for all divisions in Greenhatch, and also show how you can develop from a hatchling to a full hatcher. 

Tribus also highlights the importance of triangles in the world.