Surveyor Profiles
Emma Crowther
What made you want to become a Surveyor?
I didn’t want to be chained to a desk writing reports all day and I wanted a job with good career prospects. I also knew that I wanted to work in an environmental/construction field with new technology, Surveying seemed perfect for me.
What is the most exciting thing about your job?
Getting to work on a huge range of different projects is exciting. The work I’ve done isn’t really what you expect a typical Surveyor to do. I have worked on a large scale mapping project which involved driving around metro Melbourne and putting together a GIS map. I have also been involved in drafting licensing plans for the Department of Justice as well as some large scale GPS Surveys for major freeway and railway construction.
Was there any particular event, interest or person that got you into Surveying?
I was originally going to study resource management but I wasn’t sure whether that was the right path so I chose to study Geomatic Engineering because of its environmental aspect. The course also encapsulated Surveying which I thought would be a good job with good career prospects. Only a couple of weeks into my course I knew that when I finished I wanted to be a Surveyor.
Shura Shukor
What is the most exciting thing about your job?
It was of great importance that my career would give me variety and keep me interested, so Surveying is exactly what I’d hope for. Surveying gives me the choice to work indoors or outdoors, or even both! This industry allows you to specialise in everything from Cadastral Surveying to Geographic Information Systems, Photogrammetry, Drafting, Remote Sensing or even Land Development, always keeping me fascinated.
What is the Surveying Industry like to work in?
I’m always on the go and moving. Nothing is slow when you work in the Surveying Industry.
What would you say are the typical characteristics of a Surveyor?
Patience and integrity. As an example, Cadastral Surveying is one of the few professions regulated by the government. This means that work done by a Licensed Surveyor is backed by law, ensuring the reliability of a survey, a Surveyor must carry out their work carefully and honestly which takes patience and integrity.
Kevin Barge
"My interest in Surveying stemmed from a desire to work outdoors and my knowledge of the role Surveyors have played throughout the history and development of the civilized world. Even the majority of all early explorers, were either Surveyors or had a Surveying background.
In my role as a Surveyor, I have had the opportunity to travel to many remote areas in Australia to survey the land, or I’m working from Survey documents which were produced over a century ago. Even with the use of modern Surveying equipment, you cannot help but be impressed by the amazingly accurate work done by the early Surveyors working in very primitive conditions. This connection to Australia’s history and knowing that the work I’m involved in, is contributing to the development of the industry gives me a sense of achievement.
Having mainly worked as a self employed Surveyor in a small company, enables me to be actively involved in both “hands on” Surveying fieldwork and then preparing and finalising the relevant Survey documents.
For an all round profession combining an outdoor and indoor lifestyle, Surveying has it all."