You hear kids say they want to be a teacher, astronaut, baseball player, or chef when they grow up, but why don’t you hear them say they want to be land surveyors? One of the significant reasons children don’t strive toward more niche careers is because they don’t know they exist. This causes industries such as land surveying to see a decrease in the amount of interested individuals and skilled workers. That is why organizations such as Get Kids Into Survey have brought it upon themselves to make land surveying just as widespread and excitable as other careers.
Additionally, here at Powell CWM Inc., we take every opportunity to connect with the teenagers in our community and increase their awareness of what our industries have to offer. As land surveying firms, we must come together to advance the knowledge of our field to kids and teens.
It All Starts With Awareness
The reason careers such as teacher or chef are such popular choices for kids is because they are well-established and shown throughout life and media. When was the last time you saw a land surveyor in a children’s book or TV show? To advance the knowledge of land surveying to children, we must focus on establishing it in their lives in ways that are engaging and interesting for them, such as posters and activity pages.
At Powell, each of our land surveyors brings the excitement about their jobs home with them, involving their own families by sharing stories and explaining what they do. Simply talking about what we do at work can get children excited and interested in their careers. The first step is putting land surveying under the spotlight, and we can do that by collectively talking about and sharing our experiences about land surveying.
Making Land Surveying Fun for Kids and Teens
While awareness is a great start, if you want children and, inevitably, teens to take a further interest in the career, we must acknowledge that their interest needs to be piqued. The aspect of fun needs to be considered. To keep the idea of land surveying as a career in their minds as they grow, it is important to teach them what it involves, what they would do, how it can be fun, and anything else that is level with their age.
At GKiS, they offer activity books for children and graphic novels for teenagers, ensuring that every age has the opportunity to learn and stay informed about the possible career choice they want to work toward.
Additionally, teens will face career days and opportunities to meet with many companies in different industries. At Powell, we have attended these job fairs and events to meet with teenagers, allowing them to learn more about land surveying and how they can get involved. To keep kids and teenagers knowledgeable and interested in land surveying, companies like ours need to meet them at their level.
Proving Impact
In recent years, it has been shown that teenagers are likely to choose careers that positively impacts the world around them. Land surveying can provide that exact impact, so it is important that as they get to the point where they are searching for opportunities, this industry is brought to their attention.
Land surveying can be the first step to projects such as creating a new multi-use trail, establishing boundaries for a new small business in town, improving stormwater runoff and drainage to prevent flooding, and so much more. All of these aspects lead to the development of our communities and benefit the people who live within them, the local market, and those who visit the area. Land surveying is the first step to positive change. Acknowledging this positive impact can help lead teenagers toward a career in land surveying.
What Happens Next?
With proper communication, the use of resources from organizations such as GKiS, and help from land surveying businesses such as ours, children and teenagers can become knowledgeable about all the possible career choices in front of them. From there, with the right motivation and support, those teenagers can find internships, shadowing opportunities, and entry-level positions in companies such as Powell CWM Inc. to take their first steps to a career in land surveying.
Advancing the knowledge of land surveying to kids and teens starts with awareness and support from local businesses in the field. If you have further questions or wish to enter the land surveying industry, contact us!