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Ambassador Spotlight ‘Amy Johnson’

Introducing our latest Ambassador Amy Johnson from Flower Mound, Texas, USA:

What are the requirements to be a Surveyor in Texas? 4yr Education, FS and PS exam
How long have you been in the industry? 3years
How did you get into surveying? My husband has been in this career field for 7yrs
Not a surveyor? What do you do? I draft surveys and work with surveyors
Why are you volunteering as a Brand Ambassador? To get more involved in the industry.
Why is Get Kids into Survey important? So they can know the benefits of expanding their creative space.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? Get connected in my kids schools.
What are your hobbies outside of work? sewing and crafting.
GKiS character ideas? me!
Any ideas for future GKiS resources? monthly kit
Anything else you’d like to add? I just want to be a part of engaging and educating the next generation with creative ideas! I went to school for Fashion Design and owned my own business for 5yrs. I have a son with Autism so I am all about tackling situations at a different angle. I am quick on my feet and I am an out going and creative leader.
Please contact us if you’d like to get in touch with Amy via email.

Ambassador Spotlight ‘Melvin Penwill’

Introducing Melvin Penwill covering the Midlands, UK:

Where did you study? Nottingham Trent University
Requirements to be a Surveyor in your area: Anyone can set up as a surveyor in the UK, but I would recommend people to have a good mathematical background and a love for the outside world.
How long have you been in the industry? Around 25 years
How did you get into surveying? At college I completed a GNVQ in Construction and the Built Environment and from there I really enjoyed the surveying side. Then in my free time I worked with a local surveyor in Devon who montored dams. I really enjoyed the surveying side, being outside and seeing new places. I was hooked!
Associations and organisations you are a part of: Member of Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors – CICES
Part of a working group for the International Federation of Surveyors – FIG
Why are you volunteering as a Brand Ambassador? I’m so passionate about promoting my job which I’ve been part of for the last 25 years and it will be great to talk to kids about it. All the way through my career, I always had to explain to people what I did fora job, as it was never as easy as saying you were a doctor or teacher for example.
Why is GKiS important? Many young people know little about land surveying, so I will enjoy making them aware it has been a career for many people over many hundreds of years to help build the Pyramids, Roman Road, Stonehenge and much more. I love the GKiS poster showing a world without surveyors and kids will love spotting what is wrong.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I will help promote my love of Land Surveying to Schools, Scouts and Colleges.
What are your hobbies outside of work? I enjoy road biking and swimming. I would also like to do more cold water exposure. I managed a quick dip in the sea in Newquay in February!
Let’s hear some of your GKiS character ideas? I’m pushing for KOREC to have a character and I would love it to be of me and a Trimble X9 scanner
Any suggestions for future GKiS resources: I think the resources on GKiS are great and I’ve used some of the posters. Everyone likes a calendar, so that would be a good addition.

Outreach And Brand Ambassadors

Get Kids into Survey Brand Ambassadors: Inspiring the next generation to see that our world is a playground, one adventure at a time!

A special thank you needs to be mentioned to Topcon for enabling the growth of our Brand Ambassador network. In 2024 we have introduced the Brand Ambassador Hub which allows everyone to stay connected as a community and puts all outreach resources in one place.

 

Let’s learn some more about why we created this initiative…

It’s our vision to ‘Inspire the next generation of surveyors’, which includes demonstrating to kids what our industry is all about…

To begin with children might find the elements of surveying interesting because it involves exploring and understanding the world around them in a hands-on way. Surveying includes using cool tools like maps, computers, and measuring instruments. It’s like going on a real-life treasure hunt where they get to discover hidden places, solve puzzles, and learn how things are connected. Plus, it taps into their natural curiosity by showing them how everything in their world fits together like pieces of a giant puzzle.

 

If you are thinking that the above information is accurate and great… BUT have no idea where to get started? That’s where we come in!

 

The role of GKiS is to create the resources (with the help of industry sponsors) that adults (surveyors/parents/teachers) can use to teach the kids about the geospatial industry. This enables surveyors to carry out the outreach with the materials that we provide, all for free as a voluntary basis.

 

We ask many of our Brand Ambassadors HOW they discovered the profession. To which many reply:

-’I fell into it’

-’my father/uncle was a surveyor and I liked it’

-’I applied for a trainee position as an adult and developed from there’

 

Can you imagine the amount of extra people that would love to be a surveyor… if only they had heard of the job when they were growing up!?!

 

By teaching young people about surveying, through fun resources, this will make them aware of what a surveyor is. By bringing awareness to the industry that will create curiosity for the kids to go on to learn more about the industry (and potentially enter into it when they are older). 

 

Let’s look at the timeline:

-have more kids studying STEM at lower school.

-have more adolescents study geomatics related courses at college/university level.

-reduce the overall skills shortage in the industry by recruiting more surveyors.

Get Kids into Survey help this movement through our volunteer Brand Ambassadors. Our Brand Ambassadors have a passion for their jobs and the industry they work in… ready to spread the word throughout their local area!

 

We’ve got a fantastic overview of a recent outreach event from our young ambassador Dylan Pugh… read about what he does and the challenges he faces in our blog here.

 

By becoming a brand ambassador for Get Kids into Survey you’ll empower individuals to be catalysts for curiosity and learning in the younger generation. By promoting the exciting world of surveying, ambassadors contribute to inspiring kids to explore and understand their surroundings. This role not only fosters a sense of adventure and discovery but also plays a vital part in shaping the future by encouraging children to engage with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, promoting critical thinking, and fostering a love for exploration and problem-solving from an early age.

 

What do you get as a Brand Ambassador?

-Access to an expanding collection of outreach materials

-Be a part of the Brand Ambassador community Hub with thanks to Topcon

-Have your own profile on the global website, with a map point linking to it.

-Chance to grow your connections and personal brand

-Knowledge that you are directly helping to support the future of the industry!

 

What are the expectations of a Brand Ambassador?

-We require the applicant to have a passion for the industry with a shared vision to ‘get kids into survey’.

-Have some availability to designate towards going into their local community… Whether that be to do a talk with a group of students, or just to distribute some posters around a couple of schools would be great.

-Be active on the Brand Ambassador hub by interacting with other ambassadors and sharing your outreach efforts.

-Be active on social media by liking the odd post, shares are very much appreciated too in order to spread the word around multiple connections.

 

How can you apply to be a Brand Ambassador?

Our application process has been simplified so you can enter your profile photos and profile information to the online form here.

 

This means we can review your application, invite you to the hub, add you to the comms list, and have your profile up on the website within days!

 

So… what are you waiting for?

 

Any extra questions or if anyone is struggling to apply please let us know at erin@getkidsintosurvey.com



Ambassador Spotlight ‘Phil Marsh’

Welcoming Phil Marsh our latest Brand Ambassador from South Yorkshire in the UK:
Where did you study? University of East London
Requirements to be a Surveyor: Surveying and Mapping Sciences BSc (Hons)
How long have you been in the industry? 27 years
How did you get into surveying? Whilst at college
Associations and organisations: CICES
Why are you volunteering? We need young people to see surveying as a future career
Why is GKiS important? To understand how important the role is to many other industries
BA plans: Promote the cause
What are your hobbies? Football
GKiS character ideas: Leica already have a dragon
GKiS resources: Helping to promote further education for surveying so they can choose whilst still at school

Ambassador Spotlight ‘Trevor Wilson’

Introducing our latest Brand Ambassador Trevor Wilson who is covering the Merseyside / Liverpool region of the UK. Let’s learn some more about him:
Requirements to be a Surveyor: You will either need to go to college/ university or get an apprenticeship
How long have you been in the industry? 2 years, 6months, 23 days
How did you get into surveying? I was first introduced into surveying at cronton college whilst I was studying DEC level 3 and this was when I completed a week surveying course with the survey school. Which Topcon had sponsored and this led to me falling in love with the digital technology used in construction, from the course I managed to get offered a position with Topcon as their new apprentice as a trainee sales consultant which I grabbed with both arms. From that I have managed to get a full time position with Topcon as a trainee support engineer as I really enjoyed the side of the business where you were constantly solving problems and getting to grips with the newest technology and instruments in the industry.
Not a surveyor? What do you do? I’m currently a trainee support engineer and this has allowed for me to help customers with their problems whilst also improving my skills with the technology we provide to the industry. This may be the latest instruments/ software used on site so I can try to see if there are any problems with it or getting training from my colleagues on kit which I have used yet because I have still got a lot to learn about the industry.
Associations and organisations: I’m I student member with the CICES
Why are you volunteering? I would like to give back to the students and give them just a part of the fantastic opportunities which I have been presented. Also because surveying is almost like a career stuffed at the back of the draw because all students dream to become a architect and I think that if the students just new half of what a survey does for work they would definitely give it a try.
Why is GKiS important? So the kids can start to look up surveying and hopefully give it a shot and also because everything needs a position where ever you are in the world. I also think that the new generation will definitely enjoy using the technology in construction.
BA plans: I’m hopefully going to change the minds of young students and show them different career paths in construction rather than just architecture or design. Also because there is definitely a shortage in surveyors in the UK because students think it is all about calculating the measurements but it is so much more advanced than that now.
What are your hobbies? I really enjoy spending time with my girlfriend who I have been with for 6 years whether it is taking our 5 dogs (Blue, Sky, Hesky, Stevo, Bella) on a walk or watching TV together. I have also been very dedicated in trying to increase the population of Thai Rigdebacks in the UK as there are only a handful of them as they are the 3rd world rarest dog in the world. I have also got an addiction with cutting black opals from Australia which can be very time consuming as they have to be cut by hand. I have also recently started trying to working out everyday throughout the week and weekends are my time to rest.
GKiS character ideas: I think that Topcon would be a great suit being a BEE because or work motto is “ For Work That Matters” and a bee is constantly working to help the planet we live on and they are also great team workers as a hive cannot survive with only 1 bee. This is the impression I have gotten from Topcon from the start as I have always got a great team behind me in what ever I want to try and do.
GKiS resources: I think it’s brilliant what you are doing so I would just like to see you guys keep going as GKiS has the potential to change the world for young students.
Anything else: I think that your audience would like to see real life story’s of kids getting into surveying as this is going to draw more attention to all of the other kids.

Ambassador Spotlight ‘Paul Tokarczyk”

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Paul Tokarczyk from Hibbing area, Minnesota, USA:

Where did you study? I attended college at Michigan Technological University (Go Huskies!) where I completed Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering and Land Surveying and a Masters of Engineering in Civil Engineering.

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area? To become a licensed land surveyor in Minnesota you must have a 4 year degree in land surveying (or similar) curriculum or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 22 credits in surveying curriculum. Four or more years of experience working under a licensed land surveyor is also required.

How did you get into surveying? I started as an engineering intern on a survey crew and got to see so many different things in the field that I fell in love with it.

How long have you been in the industry? I have been in the industry for more than 25 years starting as an intern carrying stakes after my freshman year of college.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? I am very active in Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA.

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? As the geospatial industry keeps changing and expanding, we will need to continue adding people who can continue the work. Kids often don’t realize the kinds of tools and technology that we get to work with and how fun it can be to use these in the variety of work we get to do.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? Surveying and geospatial play a role in so many sectors, including land management, emergency services, mining, facility information, and the military, that it touches many people. Knowledge of what the industry is and can do is useful for kids as they move forward in any career.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? I participate in many opportunities to work with youth on STEM events and projects and I like to be able to show them an alternative job that doesn’t involve an office or lab much of the time. Giving them the opportunity to work hands on with the equipment or see it in use is so much fun for me and the youth as well as letting them see how we can apply them to the real world situations they know.

What are your hobbies? Reading, watching sports, Scouts, and being a dad.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? If I had a GKiS character, it would definitely be a chameleon. Because working in geospatial I have to be able to change and adapt for many different situations.

Ambassador Spotlight ‘John Lucey’

Introducing John Lucey our latest Ambassador covering Central Oregon, USA:
Where did you study?
The College of William and Mary
How long have you been in the industry? 
26 years
How did you get into surveying?  
Geology Field Class
Any associations and organizations that you’d like to mention?
PLSO & NSPS
Why are you volunteering as a GKiS Brand Ambassador?
I am the new Head of Outreach and Mentorship for the PLSO
Why is Get Kids into Survey important?
It is important for kids to have adventure in their lives and surveying is a great adventure.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador?
I already talk to kids in school about the surveying. There are always a few that really like the idea of joining the profession. I am working with other surveyors to get them to volunteer in the schools and with the scouts.
What are your hobbies outside of survey?
I golf, hunt, explore and play banjo.
GKiS new character idea- A Golden Retriever

Ambassador Spotlight ‘Carolyn Sotvall’

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Carolyn Sotvall who is covering the Greater Seattle area, Washington, USA:

Requirements to be a Surveyor

  1. Land Surveyor-in-Training certificate (LSIT): 4 years of experience through board approved education; board approved practical experience or a combination of both
    2. Principles and Practices of Land Surveying (PLS) exam
    3. Have 8 years of professional-level experience under the direct supervision of a licensed land surveyor. Education in an ABET-accredited program may count for up to 4 years of this experience.

How long have you been in the industry?

6 years

How did you get into surveying?

As an apprentice carpenter I was hired and trained by party chiefs at JTM Construction. We perform horizontal and vertical control on our projects using a localized grid tied into property line that correlates to the state plane monumentation used to break down the boundary. We are invested in construction technology including scanning services and AR-VR-Mixed reality solutions. Our internal survey department supports general construction efforts in addition to as built point cloud collection and deliverables for independent contracts. While we are not land surveyors, we are invested in providing opportunities for youth in construction.Edit How did you get into surveying?

Why are you volunteering?

I want kids to know about the opportunities that I missed out on in my youth. I graduated from university and I am still paying off my student loans. I was told that college was the only answer. There are so many more options, particularly for individuals who might not learn in the traditional way.

Why is GKiS important?

We need to teach young people so that we can retire someday. It is our responsibility to pass on the knowledge and skills we have acquired through our own training and experience.

BA plans

I will participate in any way I can. I hope to engage in job fairs, presentations and classroom activities. I would love to bring our tools into the classroom to give kids hands on experience with robotics and laser scanners.

What are your hobbies?

I love the outdoors. I like to hike, ride my bike, I go snowboarding in the winter and paddle boarding in the summer. I love my region because of the biodiversity here. We have mountains and sound, so many opportunities to engage with the natural environment.

GKiS character ideas

James the kid. An incredibly intelligent 6th grader who finds solutions through laser scanning and loves to help his friends learn about construction technology. He is a trailblazer, he can fix anything, he learns how to use tools through good judgement and experimentation. He is fearless, determined and kind and he is a natural born leader.

GKiS resources

Scavenger hunt

Anything else:

I love the Get Kids Into Survey initiative. I would like to contribute to the team by diversifying what is offered. Survey work in construction is now mainstream and there are so many opportunities outside of land surveying.