Introducing Andrews Survey, here’s a little bit about them:

Company Name – Andrews Survey

Location – Our office is in Aberdeen, Scotland but our work takes place at sea anywhere in the world.

Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? A job surveying the underwater world is not something kids are made aware of at school, college or university. To ensure the future of our work and to encourage our younger generations to join us we need to raise awareness and that’s exactly what Get Kids into Survey are doing.

What do you do? I’m a survey engineer and my job is to make sure all the cool survey gear that we use to map the ocean floor is installed correctly on the boat or underwater vehicle (ROV). My colleagues, who work offshore, work onboard boats in every corner of the world using high tech equipment, some of which is used in space travel! We use this equipment to help install those wind farms you see out at sea. Other uses are for mapping the seabed so vessels can navigate the seas safely by avoiding shallow water or hazards like wrecks on the sea floor. More recently we have been out searching for treasure on old sunken ships, the location of which I’m not allowed to tell you!

How long have you been in the survey industry? Myself, 25 years and still enjoying every second. Seen most parts of the world and met some weird and wacky people along the way, I should write a book…

How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry? I’ve always loved the sea and the secrets that is hides with more than 80% of the ocean still unexplored. I studied Electrical Engineering at University and this has certainly helped me get to grips with the technology we use. There are many difference ways you can get into our line of work and the STEM subjects you’ll learn at school or beyond are an ideal platform.

State a funny fact about you…Although we navigate the seas, I’m forever getting lost on land!

Favourite piece of kit and why? It has to be the Multibeam echosounder (MBES), look it up online, which we use to map and visualise the sea floor with. In the darkest depths where there is no light we can use the MBES to create some amazing 3D images of the seabed and discover it’s hidden secrets like shipwrecks.

Your website: www.andrewssurvey.com

How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name? Our character is called Ted named after our founding father Ted Andrews. Ted is a survey engineer who is responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of all the survey equipment we use, onshore and offshore. So he has a very important role to play in the success of our business.

Introducing Stacey Pollock from Michigan, USA:

Where did you study? LoneStar College in Montgomery, Texas

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area? A Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering or Bachelor of Science in a related field. Plus 4 years of field/office experience under the supervision of a Professional Surveyor.

How did you get into surveying? One day I was scrolling through a college catalogue trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. As I was scrolling, I knew two things, I wanted to have a career where I could participate in land management, and that I didn’t want to be tied to a desk. Then I saw it, the image that change my life! I still remember like it was yesterday, it was a guy standing in rugged terrain looking through a theodolite.  After reading, what Land Surveying was about I had thought to myself, I have always been fond of maps and geography. So, I took a leap into Land Surveying.  After completing my degree, it has given me many countless opportunities and has allowed me to be versatile with my skills. I am very happy I took the leap and am passionate about what I do.

 How long have you been in the industry? I have been in the industry since 2018.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? Yes, I am apart of the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, Southeast Chapter. The Young Surveyor Network of the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors and the National Society of   Professional Surveyors.

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? I would like to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador because I believe Land Surveying is great career. It offers plenty opportunities in the public and private sectors. In addition, the industry doesn’t get the recognition it    deserves. Its an old profession that has been given the opportunity to expand with technological advancement.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? It is important because the aspects of the industry are all around us and is often overlooked. Many children interested in similar industries are aware of civil engineering, the planning of cities and roads. But few are aware of the mapping  and extensive work surveyors do that goes into development.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? My goal is to promote the profession at local school districts by using my experiences and the resources provided by GKiS .

What are your hobbies? I enjoy reading and horseback riding.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? Lieutenant Plum Bob – He is reliable and strives on precision.

What resource would you like to see next from GKiS? I’d like to see GKiS create a scholarship for Land Surveying programs. Or fund a surveying course for college credit at our local high schools.

Introducing our latest Brand Ambassador Austin Corcoran from Nova Scotia, Canada!

Where did you study? I studied Civil Engineering Technology at Northern College in Timmins, (Northern) Ontario, Canada

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area? To be designated a Professional Land Surveyor you must take a Geomatic or Survey related University program. Spend 2-3 years under a licensed surveyor and complete a non-for-profit project and exam to earn your license.

If you do not plan to do land surveying there are shockingly no mandatory requirements to be a surveyor in other fields like construction or mining, although post secondary education is helpful. Many survey programs have been dropped from Colleges and Universities, it is becoming a lost art.

How did you get into surveying? After working the summer after graduating in road construction and at an engineering firm I was hired on as a surveyor at a local underground gold mine. My survey professor in school provided me the foundation to build on, but I really learned how to survey from the team at Blackfox who subsequently did not go to school for surveying.

If you are not a surveyor, what do you do? If I wasn’t a Surveyor I would be a Wildland/Firefighter, that was the only other career I considered when applying for programs. Being a surveyor on a mine site I am able to be a part of the Mine Rescue Team. It’s the best of both worlds for me really.

How long have you been in the industry? I have been in the Survey industry for 6 years now.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? Outside of the Professional Land Surveyors Association and Ontario Land Surveyors, there are no other associations to be a part of that are survey orientated in Canada. (That I am aware of)

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? For many of the reasons mentioned above. It’s hard to want to be or do something when you grow up if you’ve never seen or heard about it.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? Surveying has such a wide variety of directions you can go with it. Everyday brings a new challenge and it’s the perfect mix of field and office work. Everything in moderation.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? First thing is solidify the resurgence of the Survey Program at Northern College (this is already in the works) and the second thing is help my survey professor continue to spread the word about the program to do what all our goal is, get more kids into surveying.

What are your hobbies? Outside of work I enjoy sports, travel, and reading. I play and coach Ice Hockey. I also practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Golf among other sports. My most recent trip I hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. The book I’m currently reading is The Man Watching: Anson Dorrance and the University of North Carolina’s Women’s Soccer Dynasty. (highly recommend as a book on leadership)

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? I think you need an old pot bellied man with a pickaxe and a beard who teaches the kids the history and importance of (Mining) survey related things.

What resource would you like to see next from GKiS? I think informational videos that are fun and catching would be a real way to draw attention to the program.

Anything else you want to add that you think our audience (surveyors, teachers, parents) would be interested in? I still have an article from August 2021 from Consulting Surveyors National out of Australia about the Survey Academy program they started to target geographical industrial needs for proper survey training by bringing the education to the people where proper training was not available. I think they are on to something great that we can all learn from and implement with the right support.

Introducing our latest Brand Ambassador Michael Detwiler from Nevada, USA:

If you are a surveyor- Where did you study? University of Arizona, B.S. – Geography and University of Florida, M.S. – Geomatics

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

4-year degree + 4 years of work experience under responsible charge of a surveyor

Pass National Land Surveyor-in-Training exam

Pass National Land Surveying exam

Pass State exam

How did you get into surveying? Coming out of college I had a bachelor’s degree in Geography, which included some courses in remote sensing, GIS, and land planning. But I had no idea what land surveying was. I found a job opening for a field surveyor working on a crew. I loved the outdoors, so it sounded great to me, despite not knowing what I’d really be doing. Other than trying out land planning for less than a year early in my career, I have been surveying ever since!

How long have you been in the industry? 20 years

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

Member of the Nevada Association of Land Surveyors

Serve as a director on the NALS state board

Serve as President of the Lahontan Chapter of NALS

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? Surveyors have not done a good job at promoting the profession over the years. I would like to help change that and make surveying just as well-known as engineering.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? It really is a great profession that provides a wide variety of things to do. If you enjoy sitting in front of a computer drafting maps, you can do that. If you enjoy being outside and working in the field, you can do that. If you are into working with high tech instruments, you can do that. Or you can do all of those things combined!

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? All about spreading the word to the younger grade school kids. Need to plant the seed of an idea early. In Nevada there a re lot of rural towns where there’s not a lot of options for younger kids. Surveying would be a great option and we need to bring these opportunities to them.

 What are your hobbies? I enjoy skiing and mountain biking. I also play slow pitch softball on league nights and weekend tournaments. I have an old camper van and my family and I love to disappear off-grid into the remote parts of Nevada to enjoy the adventures and solitude.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? Maybe me on a mountain bike?

 What resource would you like to see next from GKiS? You provide a lot of good stuff already!

Let’s begin with the process of sponsoring a resource!

(video coming soon)

Firstly decide which sponsorship option is best for your company (we currently have poster re-print packages or a Homework Project option where your company can get their own character). From this point you can look at previous posters and decide which theme your company best fits into. The posters are available to look at here, we have 19 different geospatial themes! 

Sponsorship enquiry forms can be found here if your company would like to fill it out. Or email Erin on erin@getkidsintosurvey.com with some details of what your company are wanting from the sponsorship.

We will receive that and send over a contract for you to sign to confirm your place.

Once the contract has been signed you will receive an invoice via email. This will be an invoice via stripe where you have the option to pay in full or 3 automated monthly payments.

• For poster re-prints we will put together a stamp like feature with your company logo in the corner of the poster. Once the proof is confirmed we will get this printed in your chosen location (Europe, USA or Australia) where it will go to our distributors and stock added to our website.

We will contact you for ideas for your Homework Project or Colouring Sheet. Our teacher Mat will help make your Homework Project as tailored as you wish. Our designer Marek will then draw it up, same as the colouring sheets.

At the same point in time we will ask for some information on your character (or mascot) design, can be as creative or plain as you wish. This is a back and forth process.

Finally it’s time to proofread over the finished poster and Q&A section. Once everything is perfect we send it to print and put it online for all to see.

What character might you be able to get? 

Well that is entirely up to you! Your company can base it on a person, an animal, an object or a completely made up character. Be as creative as you like!! This can be used for your branding so it will represent you as a company.

Benefits: 

The main exposure you will get is from the brand visibility on the resource in which your company features; with a character and a logo present. So far GKiS have distributed over 80,000 posters worldwide, not forgetting the regular online views/downloads too. Also included is:

• *A box of posters (*if sponsoring a re-print package)
• Featured on the Get Kids into Survey website with a Character Spotlight on the Blog.
• High profile coverage across social media platforms – Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Instagram
• ‘Get Kids into Survey Sponsor’ electronic logo material for social media and website posts, helping you to let your customers, clients and the industry know that you are investing in the future of geosurvey!
• Each poster has a resource ‘package’ including Q&A, colouring in sheets and Homework Projects. All working together to redirect kids and teachers amongst each.

One of the biggest benefits is that you are helping to educate the next generation about the geospatial industry. Therefore helping to bring more talent into the industry ready to take over from all those who are nearing retirement. 

To see more on the benefits of sponsoring please see our other blog.

There’s still time to get involved!

If reading this has spurred your company on to want to sponsor this great industry initiative then please visit the sponsorship page.

Our current campaign focusses on Homework Projects, which we’ve explained all about here!

Any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Erin at erin@getkidsintosurvey.com

Welcome to our latest Brand Ambassador, Nishshanka from Colombo,
Sri Lanka!

Where did you study?

1. Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
2. University of Colombo in Sri Lanka.

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area? Should have a Bachelor  of Science degree of Surveying Science with 3 years of experience. Then we can get registration from the Land Surveyor Council in Sri Lanka.  http://www.landsurveycouncil.org/surveyor_details.php?id=20172122

How did you get into surveying? I have been selected for the B.Sc Surveying Science degree course at the Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University after the 2007 Advanced Level Examination.I graduated in May 2013 and joined the Sri Lanka Surveying Department in October 2014 and obtained my Land Survey Council registration as a Registered Licensed Surveyor in August 2018.

How long have you been in the industry? 2008-2013 Survey Student , 2013-2018 -Surveyor 2018-2022- Registered Licensed Surveyor

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

Member of Surveyor Institute of Sri Lanka (SISL)

Associate Member of CASLE ( pending )

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? I am the Managing Director of GLOBAL GIS PVT LTD/ Registered Licensed Surveyor and Active Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Surveyors. Generally, we do a lot of awareness programs and demonstrations about surveying in Sri Lanka. So I am considering giving it international exposure and working with the international community. I came into this field by accident. Now I enjoy this job well, so I want to promote this among children.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? It is a great job in the world with many opportunities. They can enjoy life/job with an environment and unforgettable experience.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? Promote GKIS among the national and international communities by organizing workshops/seminars and such programmes.

What are your hobbies? Playing Cricket and Watch movies

What resource would you like to see next from GKiS? To see in every international  geospatial event.

We get asked a lot here at Get Kids into Survey about how people can get involved in the initiative… well this blog is here to explain just that!

Being a Brand Ambassador:

The term Brand Ambassador means “a person employed by an organisation or company to represent its brand in a positive light, helping to increase brand awareness. The brand ambassador is meant to embody the corporate identity in appearance, demeanour, values and ethics”. 

So in this scenario being a Get Kids into Survey Brand Ambassador means you volunteer your time to educate and spread awareness of the geospatial industry to the next generation. Whether that be visiting schools, scout groups or influencing over social media platforms! Someone who has a passion for the industry is a must.

There’s no set amount of time you must volunteer each year, just a willingness to do good for the geospatial industry… Recognising that we all need to play our part in helping the industry progress before all of the current surveyors retire with limited new recruits coming in to replace them.

As a Brand Ambassador you will receive a presentation to download and use on your educational visits, some Brand Ambassador branding to use as you wish. Our website already has all of the free resources on it in which you can have access to, as well as our free printed posters.

You can print some of the resources to take with you to events (lesson plans, worksheets, colouring in sheets, Q&A’s that link to the posters). Plus you could opt to take some of your equipment in to demonstrate a bit more practically what you do. The choice is entirely up to you!

Our resources are aimed at children roughly ages 8-12 years old.

You can read about some of our current Brand Ambassadors on our blog page, which may give you some inspiration and ideas. We have an Ambassador map on the website, so if you sign up and submit your profile information you will be able to see yourself appear on the map!

When a Brand Ambassador we really appreciate any help getting support from your industry connections. We rely purely on industry sponsorship to create the resources. This helps us to keep the resources free and accessible to all! If you think you know someone interested then there all the sponsorship options/information online here.

To sign up all you need to do is fill out the form here!

Please let me know if you have any further questions? Email them to erin@getkidsintosurvey.com

*once you are an ambassador we reallyyyy appreciate updates so we can update our social media channels and blogs to motivate and inspire others to do the same!