Introducing our new Brand Ambassador from Missouri, USA it is Josh Saunders…

 Where did you study? Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)

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

For the two state that I live near (Missouri & Illinois)

• • 1. Have to a Bachelor’s Degree in a related science with 24 credit hours of Land Survey classes
    2. Successfully pass the Fundamentals of Survey Exam
    3. Work four years under a Professional Land Surveyor
    4. Then pass the Principle of Surveying test as well as the state specific exam

***Missouri does offer some additional routes to licensure, depending on work experience and education but for the most part bachelor’s degree is the most widely route for surveyors in my area.

How did you get into surveying? A construction material supply company that I worked for 10 years closed down in 2009 at the end of a large recession in the United States.  In late 2007, prior to the company’s closure, I decided to start back to school in pursuit of a degree in Construction Management.  When the company I worked for closed its doors for good, I was left scrambling to find another job to support myself, my wife and my 1 month old daughter.  I reached out to a close friend of mine who worked for what I thought was an engineering firm but in reality was a Surveying company.  They hired me as a draftsman and the more I learned about surveying the more interested I became in it.  I like finding monuments that were centuries old and while at college getting introduced to some of the upcoming technologies, like Laser Scanning (I know, I know that’s like so 2010).  The college I went to offered a specialization in Land Surveying (basically the 24 hrs of surveying classes needed for licensure) to go with my Construction Management Degree, so it seemed like all my chips were falling into place.  From there I finished school, worked my way through the ranks from drafter, to rodman/instrument man, to crew chief, to survey crew coordinator, to Professional Land Surveyor.  That is my 11 year journey in a nutshell.

How long have you been in the industry? Since 2009

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? Southwest Chapter of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association & the St. Louis Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Surveyors.

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador?  For the last 5 or 6 years I have been a proponent of introducing elementary, high school, and college students to Land Surveying.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry?  There is a huge disparity for Land Surveyors in the United States and I assume all over the world.  Rather than just let a historic profession die or be absorbed by another profession like civil engineering or geography.  I like to see if I could generate interest with students by introducing them to the most exciting and technologically loaded profession out there.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS?  I am going to get the next generation of surveyors fired up about land surveying.  That is a little more difficult now with the COVID19 restrictions in place but just as with most surveyors I am adapting to the environment.  In October, I am attending my first ever virtual career fair, so I am excited to see how that turns out.

What are your hobbies? I enjoy camping, boating, travelling, fishing, and most things with friends and family.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? Either a techy kind of surveyor wearing AR glasses flying a drone while riding on an automatous vehicle (just spit balling some ideas here) or a futuristic space surveyor (see the answer for the next question).

What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS? With space exploration getting closer and closer, I think it would be neat to see a poster with surveyors on Mars helping with the exploration of the planet with all of our equipment (that is something I talk about with students on where the profession could be going).

Written by Erin Hull

Bats are protected by law, meaning that you cannot disturb, damage or remove a bat in its natural habitat. therefore, if you are planning a project which may have the chance of disturbing a bat, it is a requirement to get a bat survey done to the area. This may be a planning application, a barn conversion, removal of a hedgerow, introduction of wind turbines, and so much more. An experienced bat surveyor will not only listen for bats during the bat survey season (May-September) they will also assess the area/building for potential signs of their presence, including potential roosting sites. If there is bat presence this does not mean that the project cannot go ahead, it means the correct measures need to be put into place in order to ensure the bats safety. There are a range of mitigation and compensation methods that can be enforced, from moving the location of the project to creating, restoring or improving roosts (and replacing any that will be damaged or removed).

I must admit, I wasn’t familiar with bat surveying until the end of my time at University, when I began to search for jobs. Lots of jobs ask for experience within the sector, which is very hard to have completed when you are still a uni student. Therefore, quite a few companies open up spaces for people like me to come in and do freelance surveying! Any experience is good experience, you may really enjoy something that previously hadn’t appealed to you, whilst gaining lots of new skills.

Bat Identification in my area:

*pictures from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ animal profiles.

Emergence Survey

The first evening I arrived on site for 18:15 just before the sun began to go down. Here I was met with 2 others, the leader and another freelancer. We were briefed on what we had to do… study an abandoned house to see if any bats were roosting in there. Each of us having a different side of the house to observe for the next two hours. 

We were each equipped with a clipboard, site map, data collection sheet, bat detector and a torch. When we saw a bat we would jot down the time heard, which frequency we heard them best at, and if seen mark their location/direction on the map. The leader had set up some bat recording devices around us so that she could revisit the data and properly identify the bats through their calls. She does this by listening to the data at the times we recorded hearing a bat. This limits the chances of errors as the bats are identified correctly by a professional.

On the outcome of this survey we could not see any evidence of them roosting in the building. From all sides of the site we heard and saw multiple bats however they were either commuting or feeding nearby. This matched the data from 5 years ago when the survey was last conducted in this location.

Transect Survey

For this survey I arrived on site at 18:00 as the nights started to draw in faster as we approach winter. Again there were three of us taking the surveys, however, this time the site included a compound and two large fields with developments nearby. The aim of this survey is to walk around the designated section, to see if we could see/hear any bats along the transect. 

Similar to the last survey I was equipped with a clipboard, site map, data collection sheet, bat detector and a head torch as I’d be walking around. 

This survey wasn’t as successful with only 3 recordings of bats from one corner of the site. Maybe due to it being an open field so there were less places for the bats to hide and fly between. Still an enjoyable experience gaining some fun skills using new equipment and techniques.

Equipment used:

Bat Detector- bats hunt for insects at night, using a high frequency system called echolocation. Bat calls are usually pitched at too high a frequency for humans to hear, but they can be heard using bat detector devices.

Data Collection Sheet- to record all sightings including frequency, time and location.

Pencil- to write down your observations.

Map- of the site in order to record sightings of bats (and of the transect route if doing a transect survey).

Hi-vis- So people can see you whilst you are working.

Watch/phone- in order to tell the time.

Bat recording device- monitor the ultrasonic echolocation calls of bats for species identification and activity measurement, data to look back on after the survey.

How can you get involved?

There will be lots of companies around your area that carry out surveys like this. Mine was through Smeeden Foreman who are local to me, they specialise in landscapes, ecology and arboriculture. If you are UK based it might be worth checking out these websites for more information about volunteering https://www.bats.org.uk/ and https://batsinchurches.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-bat-survey/. Bat surveys need to be renewed due to the seasonal changes of where bats roost… meaning that surveys need to be done every year/two years to ensure the site is still ok to have work done.

Information gathered by Erin Hull from her own knowledge and using these sources: https://www.ecologybydesign.co.uk/protected-species-survey/bat-survey and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bats-surveys-and-mitigation-for-development-projects#mitigation-and-compensation-methods.

Surveyors use a wide variety of tools and equipment in their day to day work; it will vary depending on the type of survey being done, here’s a few examples:

‘Drones’ are unpiloted aircraft or spacecraft. Surveyors use them because they provide a fast, safe and cost-efficient way to survey at height.

‘Theodolites’ measure precise horizontal and vertical angles for the purpose of triangulation. They can workout the location and distance of a point through the formation of triangles.

‘Total stations’ modern theodolite’s, these are currently the most commonly used tool for surveyors because of its accuracy. The data that is collected and processed can be downloaded for further processing. They do angles and distance measurements (EDM) but can also have cameras/scanners and even GNSS units built into them now too, as well as being robotic (they can spin themselves around to find you and the pole/prism).

‘Measuring wheels’ are used for quicker and lower accuracy surveys of long distances by rolling it from the start to end point. You may have seen a person using one of these near a road, or in your school playground or on sports pitches. 

‘Prism Poles’ are used to measure the elevation of existing ground or grade when used in conjunction with a survey level such as an Automatic Level, Transit Level, or Laser Level.

‘Surveying Prisms’ are a corner cube or retroreflector, usually attached to a surveying pole and utilized as a target for distance measurement. Modern alternative to the measuring wheel.

‘Surveying Tripods’ are a special tripod built to support surveying instruments, such as theodolites, total stations, levels, prisms or transits

‘Automatic levels’ are optical instruments used in surveying and building to transfer, measure, or set horizontal levels. The level instrument is set up on a tripod.

‘Digital levels’ offer fast and accurate readings utilising a bar coded staff. They offer the opportunity to record readings at the touch of a button as well as displaying the distance to the staff.

‘Chains’ are one of the oldest and simplest methods of making measurements. Distances can be measured using the chain’s length. Angles can either be measured directly or calculated by moving one end of the chain by a known distance. 

‘Prismatic compasses’ can measure angles effectively. This is typically combined with a chain to take distance measurements.

‘Clinometer’ (or inclinometer) is an instrument for measuring angles of slope (or tilt), elevation or depression of an object with respect to gravity.

‘Global Navigation Satellite System’ (GNSS) refers to a constellation of satellites providing signals from space that transmit positioning and timing data to GNSS receivers. The receivers then use this data to determine location. By definition, GNSS provides global coverage. Examples of GNSS include Europe’s Galileo, the USA’s NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia’s Global’naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) and China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.

‘Disto laser measurers’ are ideal for quick, easy and precise measurements of distances such as length and volumes with the press of a button, even in inaccessible places. These save money and time as well as improve the accuracy of measurement on site. 

‘Ground penetrating radar’ (GPR) is a geophysical survey method that uses pulses of electromagnetic radiation to image the subsurface. It provides a non-intrusive and non-destructive method of surveying the sub-surface. Therefore it is a useful survey technique to investigate many types of materials.

‘Laser Scanners’ deliver a high definition output and can be in 3D. They can be used alongside traditional surveying equipment or as an alternative to total stations. Laser scanning carries lots of advantages as the surveyor can quickly and easily collect a large amount of data over a short period of time. This data is the combination of millions of data points which, when put together, forms a point cloud image of the survey area. Data can be interpreted by computer aided design (CAD), building information modelling (BIM) or geographic information system (GIS) software.

*information gathered from a mixture of websites and checked over by surveyors.

Introducing our new Brand Ambassador Narelle Underwood, our Australian distributor from NSW Surveying Taskforce.

Where did you study? University of NSW

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area? Depends on the type of surveying you are doing.

How did you get into surveying? While I was studying civil engineering at university I managed to score a job with a small surveying firm as a CAD drafter – absolutely fell in love with surveying so changed university and degree and have never looked back.

How long have you been in the industry? Started in 2003 – so 17 years now.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? I work for the NSW Government as the Surveyor-General of NSW and I am chair of the NSW Surveying Taskforce.

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? It’s a great way to explore the concepts of surveying and geospatial with children. Surveyors have traditionally struggled to explain what we do and capture the imagination of kids, the GKiS concept captures the variety of career opportunities in a way that is fun, exciting and engaging to kids.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? Because you can’t be what you can’t see – there are so many career opportunities in surveying, geospatial or related fields and people miss out on those opportunities because they just don’t know about it as an option. There will continue to be a growing demand for people with surveying/geospatial skills as we as a society continue to realise the benefits of access to digital data.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? Promote GKIS to not only children but to other surveyors and geospatial professionals – getting as many people involved as possible to spread the word to as many children as possible.

What are your hobbies? I play AFL (Australian Football), train in Muay Thai Kickboxing, I love reading and going to the movies.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? I love my character/avatar – sharing my love for surveying with my son and having my car on a poster is pretty cool. Looking forward to incorporating it into my presentations.

What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS? Broader applications of surveying and geospatial. Plus some really traditional stuff like property boundaries and construction (roads / buildings / bridges).

FutureGeo 2.0 Report compiled by Erin Hull

This week Get Kids into Survey were lucky enough to be a part of ‘a networking event with a difference… an opportunity to connect, talk, and change the future of GeoScience’ organised by our Brand Ambassador Tom Backhouse.

Brought to us through DigiLounge virtual platform there were 8 virtual floors each having a different theme, there was definitely lots to get involved in. GKiS were involved in getting the conversations started on Floor 6- GeoScience through Geography and STEM. Elly was one of the FutureGeo ‘champions’ and spoke to many of the attendees, all having different opinions and experiences to share on the topic.

As an attendee I (Erin Hull) had a mooch around a couple of the floors to see what different tables were talking about. There was so much going on that I will have barely touched the surface with my conversations. The discussions touched upon were based around these topics:

Diversity, difference and equality in geoscience

Communicating geoscience

Utilising emerging technology in geoscience

Water and geoscience

The energy and material transition

Inclusivity and opportunity in geoscience

Exploring the decline in University enrollment

There were a lot of fears and problems identified at the start of the event by four intro speakers; Chris Jackson, Michael Kehinde, Hannah Goodlad, Catherine Owen and George Whitehouse. We have summed up some of their key points;

The future of geoscience is very important, the community needs to keep engaged and have the opportunity to link up, share ideas, and bring everyone together because we are part of the solution to many problems. At the moment the industry does not have many opportunities to connect together.

There is limited diversity, racially and ethnically within the industry. With the spotlight currently on this barrier, now is the time to tackle this and be more inclusive.

Water availability worldwide is a massive problem. 1 billion do not have access to safe water, millions die each year because of this. When water is too much OR too little it causes livelihoods to be ruined. Geoscientists need to work with other professionals as part of the force to enhance and save our planet from destruction.

The public image of us is viewed through a narrow lens

Geology could be left out of energy transition when we need to be involved. This brings us drive and motivation to let geology find its place. Where the community will connect and grow as our purpose is clear, as geologists we are all about the EARTH, one vital part of our existence.

Younger people have limited opportunity in the industry, requiring experience and masters degrees, something needs to change which allows an opening for the younger generation to get involved. Inclusivity means everyone should be on a level playing field, not only the younger generation which has been highlighted but those with disability or from different language backgrounds too.

Through talking about fears and problems within the community, it brings things to light that might not have been thought about before. This gives us the opportunity to tackle these issues head on, by opening conversations about them, starting discussions, leading to creating methods to combat them so they are not a problem in the future.

At the next stage of the event everyone could move around the floors and tables to network amongst each other. Although I was only involved in a handful of conversations I still learnt a lot and thought I would share some of my discussion outcomes:

Many universities have begun to close their Geology courses due to lack of interest and decreasing enrolment over the last few years. Discussing the reasoning behind this it is thought there are a few reasons behind it. Firstly, there is a lack of understanding of the terminology used, maybe potential students are put off by words or phrases that they have not gained an understanding of. Students may be unaware that they are studying geology in some of their subjects as it is present in physics, chemistry, biology and geography; however, as the word geology is not used the students do not realise they are aspects of their learning journey already. The diversity of the subject needs to be more exposed and the catchment needs to be based on younger children rather than just before they apply to university.

Career advice is definitely lacking, with students being directed to being conservationists or consultants when asked about careers in geology. This lack of knowledge is believed to be a huge limiting factor in why children have not considered geosciences as their career. There should be a wider outreach which should involve the community as a whole, teachers, parents and the students. They all play a massive role in influencing future choices because if they are not aware of an opportunity then how can they be expected to share that or speak out about that career to others. The careers process definitely needs an update as people are interested, they are just misinformed. A good example of this is how civil engineering has updated their process of exposing the industry and employment options.

We should be aware of how we portray the Geosciences to show the full range of what Geoscientists do, showcase this and share what you do so others can learn. When recruiting, look beyond local networks to ensure fresh talent is applied. Linking to this, it is recognised that Geology is an expensive degree, so change needs to occur to mitigate this limiting factor. This may be by introducing more on the job training to reduce the cost/need to do an MSc similar to the engineering careers. 

Geosciences can grow by encouraging mentoring schemes at all levels from school, through degrees and into industry. Funding research into effective initiatives to reduce the diversity gap, to allow evidence based action, proving that the industry can and will grow and be accepting of everyone. For this to occur geoscientists cannot act as gatekeepers which discourages students from taking a Geoscience degree based on our ideas of what a geologist looks like. Stereotypes are something that need to be reworked to make sure no one feels unwelcome if that is their talent. Recognising that we need to be aware of our own privileges and the benefits they bring and so act as allies and advocates for change!

Inclusivity within the community brought up some interesting stories of women in other countries being unable to step foot on site, leading us to believe that we are very lucky here in the UK, although still a way to go to make everything fair for all. Women in Mining are working on including everyone and getting more women especially, into the industry. An outcome of this conversation was that people shouldnt be afraid to put themselves forward for roles. Most associations are making an effort to be fairer, not needing to be nominated for positions any longer. Being a volunteer allows you to help on a subject that you may be passionate about, and can help to teach others about it. We need more of this and people stepping up to bring their own ideas to the table in order to continue to better the community and get more inclusivity.

Recruitment issue and what we can do about it. From Elly’s floor, she explains that we all know that there is a recruitment issue in our industry, whether that being into a direct job role or into the relevant University degrees. So the question is, how do we change this? And the answer is simple. Through primary and secondary education, to the teachers and parents. However the difficulty we all face is how to get our material into schools, used by teachers and done so where the next generation doesn’t just have access to this world, but is inspired and wants to take the next steps to get involved. “It was while we were discussing this that I had a bit of a lightbulb moment. Virtual conferences are here to stay, there’s no doubt about it. So why not do a virtual conference for students directly? I know we have conferences for teachers which is great but we need to connect industry directly to students. Subjects need to be more career aware, career focused and that’s where we need to link education and industry.

We have a lot of work to do but luckily our industry is a passionate one and I know we can make a difference if we work together. 

There are some initiatives in place that you can get involved with today;

Firstly, a movement mainly on twitter is #AskAGeo where anyone can use the hashtag and a geologist will answer any queries you have, however big or small. It was identified that social media needs to be maximised so new ideas like this are a great start.

On Instagram there is cool hashtag which shares what geologists get up to in their jobs called #FieldWorkFriday. A great way to enlighten those who are not familiar with what geoscientists do, now made available on a very popular and easily accessible platform.

ECMWF host a lot of seminars for GeoScientists and is a large European organisation.

Geopoetry event held October 1st 2020 – Patrick Corbett (The Geological Society) with Scottish Energy Forum sponsorship.

Geoscience for the Future Poster, which incorporates the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Earth Science Teachers Association (ESTA) who do an annual conference to help support earth science teaching through geology, geography, and the sciences. 

GeoBus is a free outreach programme run out of the Earth Science department of UCL, usually doing hands-on science for secondary schools. To fit with the current climate they are now hosting FREE virtual STEM workshops!

Get Kids into Survey- become a Brand Ambassador. Use the GKiS resources and share with your local school.

Get Kids into Survey resources for primary and elementary school level – targeting the wider population, making primary school children aware of the industry through exciting educational resources! With new lesson plans being released to compliment the posters, this is only the start and we can’t wait to see what else is to come. 

*If there is any more information to add please contact erin@getkidsintosurvey.com and we will add it to this document. Thanks.

Hope to see more of you at the 2021 FutureGeo GeoScience and Climate Change Event.

– Bringing Geography and Geo Survey to Life –

A group of key worker children in a primary school in Manchester spent a week exploring the world of underground survey and utility systems. Starting with the Get Kids into Survey Utilities Exploration Poster, the pupils expanded their geo survey knowledge, as well as their understanding of how the utilities that they depend on every day work, where they are located, how they are maintained, and what might happen if a strange and slippery creature found its way into the sewers…

Introducing the Project
Following their work on mining, forestry and offshore survey, the group were already adept at spotting the geo survey activity and technology in the Utilities Exploration Poster. They identified the mobile scanning systems and the various LiDAR scanners, as well as the GPR unit – which led them to the focus of the project. The group discussed the utilities work taking place around the scene, focusing on the challenges of maintaining such a complex and potentially dangerous system, most of which is buried underground. Having also spotted the clumsy alien, the GeoSquad team, the shifty government agents, and even their own teacher in the poster, the group focused in on grid reference (D,5), where they made an alarming discovery…

Creature Research
The long limb looming from the sewer pipe set the group’s imaginations racing – especially when they heard reports that one of the utilities workers had been pulled into the pipeline and had disappeared, along with any trace of the mysterious creature.

The pupils were set a challenge: use their geo survey knowledge to prepare and mount a rescue mission. They would have to find a way to navigate and check the utilities systems, then devise a means by which they could extract the creature and the worker safely. To do this, they’d first have to figure out exactly what they were dealing with.

The group selected three species of animal that they thought might be the possible owner of the alarming appendage from the poster. In order to know how to best deal with any possibility, they found out the maximum size of the biggest variety of each species, as well as its preferred habitat and diet. They also compiled a bank of other useful information, which they would use to inform their rescue tactics later in the project.

Sound it Out
Having completed their creature research, the group turned their attention to a different set of interesting animals: those that use echolocation.

After identifying the GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) device being used to scan beneath the ground around the utilities dig site in the exploration poster, the group were tasked to find three different animals that used sound to help them find their way, and often find their prey! Through this, they widened their understanding of how echolocation works in animals, and how humans integrated the same concept into machines that make it possible to ‘see’ using sound – particularly useful when you need to check underground pipes without having to tear up all the roads! As a result of this exercise, the group realised that GPR technology would be extremely useful in their mission to locate the missing worker and the slippery creature.

Stay Colour Coordinated
While exploring the utilities poster, the group also noticed something about the pipes: the various colours used for the criss-crossing conduits seemed significant. And they were right, of course – the colours of the underground pipes related directly to what they contained. The group was challenged to find out which colour linked to which contents, and to use this knowledge to prepare a safety guide for their dig team, including the potential hazards that would be caused by a breach of each utility line.

The group decided to include a guide to appropriate safety gear for their rescue team too!

Bait Your Trap
At this point in the project, the group received some good news, and some not-so-good news! The good news was that – thanks to their safety guide and sonar work – their rescue team had managed to locate the creature and the missing worker at a specific utility intersection. The not-so-good news came in the form of a phone call from the local aquarium, informing them that their resident giant Pacific octopus had escaped. From their early research, the group knew that this was the largest species of octopus in the world! Thankfully, they also knew all about its preferred habitat, diet and physiology, so when it came to designing a trap to catch this slippery cephalopod, they were already well prepared.

They began by creating rough sketches of their own individual solution to baiting a trap and catching the octopus:

One by one, the group gave an oral presentation on the design and function of their trap plan. Ideas included telescopic legs to lower and raise the trap to fit perfectly onto the sewer pipe, a water tank on top containing water that best suited the giant Pacific octopus, stretchy bands that would entangle the animal to prevent its escape, and video monitors to allow the team to keep an eye on the slippery escapee during transit. The group discussed which aspects of each offering they thought would be most effective, then combined them into a final group design using perspective drawing and 3D computer modelling:

Having used the knowledge garnered across the project to create the ideal solution to the initial problem, the group dramatised the trip back to the aquarium with ‘Long-Arm Larry’ the giant Pacific octopus in tow – made slightly more problematic by a final spanner in the works: a blackout caused by a utility worker mishap!

The group found this project engaging and exciting from the outset, particularly since it gave them a greater awareness and appreciation of things that they had understandably taken for granted: the gas that fuels their cooker, the electricity powering their TVs, and even the waste water that leaves their toilets and sinks! Once again, the Get Kids into Survey learning resources succeeded in bringing practical geography to life.

Report compiled by Mathew Sullivan, FRSA Teacher, Author and Educational Consultant

Direct Links:

A Predator in the Pipes Lesson Plan and Worksheets

Utilities Poster

Introducing the amazing Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia (SAMSOG): 

Company Name –  Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia (SAMSOG)

Location – The state of Georgia, USA.  We serve the surveyors throughout the state by providing networking, continuing education, and representation on governmental issues affecting land surveying and land surveyors.  We support College and Universities that offer surveying classes and provide scholarships to students studying to be land surveyors.

Why did you get involved in Get Kids into Survey? We are committed to bring young people into the ranks of surveying.  We want them to know what a fun profession it is.  You can work in the office, the field, or both.  You can work as a technician with no formal surveying education or study and become a Professional  Licensed Land Surveyor.  We were first introduced through NSPS. The posters really caught our attention and are a great way to introduce Land Surveying to kids of all ages.  We distribute the posters to career counselors at their annual conference to post in their offices and classrooms to remind them to tell kids about Land Surveying as a career option.

What do you do? I fly around and spreading the word to everyone I see about what a great profession land surveying is!  With my robotic thrusters, I can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. I might begin my day in the on the shore and end it high in the mountains. All types of terrain need land surveys including lakes, rivers, streams and the ocean! I love to see my professional land surveyor friends working. They tell me fascinating stories about their adventures and all the different types of jobs they do. And they get to use robots, not exactly like me, and drones that fly…but  not as good as me!

How long have you been in the Survey Industry?  SAMSOG was organized in 1947 and incorporated in 1949 and has been serving the industry since then.

How did you get into the Industry? While flying around I saw people looking through these camera looking boxes on 3 legs and other people holding sticks.  I wondered what they were doing and asked! They told me they were measuring land lots and other things. Now I see them trying not to hit me with their flying cameras called drones!  I see them in the woods, in the cities, on construction sites, at mines and landfills, looking for utilities, and sometimes even on the water in boats. Surveyors work on all kinds of interesting projects.

Funny Fact about the you:  I am not just any bird, I am Brown Thrasher, the state bird of Georgia and I am a robot!  I have a GPS receiver on my back so I always know where I am!

Favourite piece of kit and why? I love the posters and the stickers.  As stated above, we pass the posters to the counselors.  When we attend career days at schools we pass the stickers to the students. 

Favourite Survey technique and why?  I like all survey techniques because I help all of the surveyors in the state who do all different types of work!

Your website: www.samsog.org

How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? GKIS staff helped A LOT! The Brown Thrasher is the Georgia, USA state bird. It represents Georgia and SAMSOG in the State Land Surveying Society. He is a robot which symbolizes Land Surveying Technology, Mean to you? Birds often travel in flocks or groups and that is what SAMSOG is…a flock or group of land surveyors.

What’s his/her name?  Sammy (SAMSOG)?

Introducing our new Brand Ambassador ‘Carolyn Robins’ from the UK!

What do you do and what company do you work for? So I am the Strategic Partners Manager at Built Intelligence (sounds fancy but it’s not!) The company is a cross between a training company and a software company, providing training, learning, and contract software solutions to the construction industry.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? Built Intelligence is an accredited training provider for CITB and works with about half the top 200 construction companies around the world providing support and bespoke learning. As a small agile company we can offer tailor made solutions, written and presented by construction experts. One of our greatest assets I think, is ReachBack, our free Q&A help desk covering all construction related topics – is such a great support tool, used by over 250,000 construction professionals for quick and easy answers and advice.

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? Personally, having 2 daughters I have always felt it was difficult for kids to make informed choices about options and careers when there is limited careers support and they don’t know what the choices are out there! I got involved in setting up a regular careers slot at my local school and dragged along a surveyor to talk about his career and it escalated from there really. I also signed up to volunteer through a local organisation and go into local schools to take part in assemblies and have done a couple of ‘What’s my Line’ where kids ask questions to a panel to guess asking what our jobs are!

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? The surveying world is massive and so diverse! A lot of children (and adults!) think of a residential house survey and that’s it! They have no idea of the depth and range surveying has – and the geospatial industry is like being an astronaut it’s so exciting! If we can share this with kids, get them excited, it opens up opportunities around the whole world!

What are you going to be doing as an ambassador for GKiS? I’m working on a cunning plan! I hope that the team at Built Intelligence and I can get involved on lots of levels! Starting with sharing information on social media and promoting GKiS, on to setting up a news page on our communities and other ways to promote digitally.

How did you get into surveying? I’ve been involved in the property environment one way or another since leaving school! First job in a commercial agency in Devon (and helped sell my parents hotel!) and more recently spent 7 years at RICS which gave me a great insight into surveying and surveyors and the breadth of expertise and opportunities is staggering!

What are your hobbies? During lockdown I realised that my main hobbies are socialising (either with family or friends) so I also took up crocheting (currently working on a wine carrier…)

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? Probably a techie hero with Harry Potter glasses, a cape, a phone in one hand and a tripod in the other! (Think I just described the boss!) Characters name? Digital Dave or Techno Tom!

What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS? Always thinking ahead, a Christmas theme would be good – helping Santa navigate his way with travel restrictions and social distancing – oh and building an extension to his warehouse for all the extra presents the kids should be getting to make up for lockdown (think the parents should be getting some medals too!)

Anything else you want to add that you think our audience (surveyors, teachers, parents) would be interested in? I think with both GKiS and Built Intelligence, the focus must be on supporting, sharing, caring, and working in an ethical, energised and transparent way.  Sharing stories, news, information and adventures through articles, blogs and social media – for training or just for fun!

For more information about Built Intelligence and training for the construction industry click here and for ReachBack free helpdesk click here.