Case studies: Surveyor: David

David graduated with a degree in surveying and mapping science from Newcastle University in 2006.

I stumbled across surveying by accident. I’d started a degree in mechanical engineering but hated it, so I was looking through my university’s prospectus for an alternative. The surveying degree stood out as it could lead to a career that was outdoors, practical and used maths.

This is my first job since graduating. I found it by looking through the directory of surveying companies on The Survey Association (TSA)  website and sending them my CV. I had interviews at three surveying companies but chose Malcolm Hughes Land Surveyors as they seemed the best fit for me. The company has a dedicated CAD team, which allows me to spend more time in the field. My degree dissertation and work experience on building sites had confirmed that this was important to me. I’d advise anyone considering this career to get some relevant work experience.

Some of my degree course is very relevant to my current role, particularly a second-year module surveying university buildings. I also use some of the 'softer' skills developed at university, particularly the ability to cooperate with others. This is vital in my role, as is accurate communication, especially when I’m phoning in data from the field to our CAD team for processing. Other parts of my course, such as the GIS and photogrammetry, haven’t been relevant yet. I think somebody could do the job without a relevant degree if they had a practical mind and good hands-on skills - I work with a lot of non-graduates who’ve worked their way up - but my degree definitely gave me a head start.

Much has changed since I started here and my skills have changed quite dramatically. At first I did mainly basic topographic surveys. I quickly moved on to more varied and complex work, such as checking whether buildings are moving due to demolition/subsidence, and penetrating radar surveys. My job is ever-changing; I have lots of variety and no two jobs are ever the same.

My work involves constant travel; last year I did about 30,000 miles. I work on sites throughout the UK and might be in Glasgow one day and Kent the next. I prefer to return home each day when I can, although I can choose to stay away. This means my days can be long and hard, especially if the weather’s bad - you only ever stop if the instruments stop working and they rarely do.

I live in Leeds but am based at our Manchester office. I only go there about twice a month as I can use the company’s remote data transfer system for most things. The company has been very supportive right from the start and will continue to support me as I work to become chartered within the next five years or so.

If you’re scared of bad weather or don’t like being outside, land surveying is probably not for you. But I absolutely love everything about my job and wouldn’t do anything else.