Case studies: Land surveyor: Keith

Keith graduated with a degree in surveying and mapping science from Newcastle University in 2008.

I chose my degree as it combined my interests in geography and civil engineering. This led to my becoming a land surveyor as it seemed a good way of experiencing a variety of geomatics techniques, such as GPS and aerial photography. I also wanted a job that wasn’t entirely office-based. A three-month summer vacation placement with a small survey company confirmed this would be the right choice. Although I’d heard about surveying from my lecturers, the work experience helped me understand what to really expect.

Survey companies don’t often advertise jobs so sending out speculative applications is worthwhile. I did this to secure my current job, after using the internet to identify companies. I learnt that if you don’t hear back from the companies, it’s worthwhile to follow up your CV and letter with a phone call. They may be able to tell you about the industry’s current situation, particularly if the economic climate is uncertain.

My degree taught me the process of carrying out a survey, the basic principles and also the various techniques. The course at Newcastle covered a wide number of survey disciplines, which can then be applied to a number of situations. Many of the degree course projects involved teamwork and careful organisation, both skills I use now. I currently work with a geography graduate, so not all land surveyors have surveying degrees.   

When I first my job, I mainly assisted experienced surveyors with the instruments on site. This has developed and I’m now responsible for creating the plan back in the office, which is based on data I’ve collected, using my own judgement.

As a land surveyor, my key role is the survey of a site for a particular client, followed by the production of a topographical plan. Surveys may be carried out as part of an initial feasibility study on a piece of land for potential development, or to update existing records.

A job I particularly enjoyed was a three-week survey of a section of the Croydon tramline using a new survey trolley that has revolutionised the way track geometry surveys are undertaken. The M1 widening scheme is a large proportion of our work at the moment. This is varied work ranging from checking retaining wall levels to surveying existing drainage.

Travelling to and from site can make the days long, and days on site can lack structure, but I really enjoy the variety and also being outdoors (despite sometimes cold and wet weather). Usually a survey is carried out one day and processed the next, and so knowing that I’ve been out the previous day helps with the office work.

My aim is to become accredited by one of the professional bodies, either the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)  or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) , and I’d also like to carry out more rail surveys.