Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

EP173 John Vrablec, CST III - Value of a Certified Survey Technician

This week's episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast helps to explain the value of the Certified Survey Technician (CST) program from the perspective of an employee and future leader. Your host, Tim Burch, recently chatted with John Vrablec, CST III from just outside the Houston, Texas area. John shared his story discovering the CST program, working his way up to the Level III Construction certification, and becoming a role model for his staff. He shared the importance of proper training and certification in his world of high-definition scanning and modelling of mechanical and industrial facilities. Another great example of how surveying and geospatial careers transcends well beyond boundary retracement!

EP172 - Ashley Metz, New York Young Surveyor

And we are back!

After a well deserved break from the madness that was the FIG Working Week 2023, it is appropriate that our first episode features an outstanding Young Surveyor who participated in her first FIG event. Your host, Tim Burch, recently chatted with Ashley Metz, Surveying Technician II at M.J. Engineering and Land Surveying in Albany, New York, and reminisced about the wonderful and upbeat atmosphere at the Working Week in Orlando. Ashley's attendance to FIG was supported by NYSAPLS and she was everywhere, including volunteering her time to help NSPS with hosting duties at several functions. She shared her experiences on networking with Young Surveyors from around the world, and how surveying covers many more tasks and responsibilities than in the US. Ashley and Tim also talked about participating in the "Connect & Reflect" mental health discussion group and how often surveyors don't look after their mental wellbeing.

Look for lots more great things in the future from this talented and eager surveyor!

EP171 - Lem Morrison - Surveyors & Renewable Energy

This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast is the second part of our visit to New York City, specifically Brooklyn and the New York City College of Technology's Construction Management and & Civil Engineering Technology program. Your host, Tim Burch, sat down and talked the role of surveying in renewable energy with Lem Morrison, Business Development Lead for GdB Geospatial as well as Adjunct Assistant Professor for the surveying program at the college.

Lem and Tim chatted about surveying in many arenas, including our deteriorating infrastructure, housing shortfalls, and why surveyors should pay attention to opportunities in the development, construction, and implementation of renewable energy. An eye-opening conversation about our profession's involvement in the short-and long-term improvements throughout our country. This episode will make one see how important the surveying profession is to the future of our country.

EP170 - NYC College of Technology - Surveying Program

Surveying is alive and thriving in the Big Apple!

This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast finds your host, Tim Burch, fulfilling an invitation to interact with students enrolled in surveying classes at the New York City College of Technology's Construction Management & Civil Engineering Technology program at the Brooklyn campus. Lem Morrison, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Business Development Lead for GdB Geospatial, provided Tim with an overview of the program and hosted a Q&A session during a break in his lecture. While many of the students are working towards a career in civil engineering, the surveying classes are inspiring them to seek out more opportunities in the surveying and geospatial pathways.  This is a great conversation about balancing life in the big city and gathering important education towards a very bright career path.
 
For more information about this program, visit:
https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/construction-engineering for details.

EP169 - The ”Let’s Be Careful Out there!” Edition - From the Director’s Desk

Surveyors, by nature and background, are problem solvers. We are typically focused on completing fact- and evidence-based processes and projects under time and budget constraints, so stress plays a big part throughout the profession. This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast highlights the month of May being recognized as "National Mental Health Awareness Month," and how NSPS is promoting good mental health for all within the profession. Your host, NSPS Executive Director Tim Burch, examines how the profession and its practitioners have changed with the various generations and evolution of measuring technology.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of mental illness, help is just a call or click away: SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit their website at www.samhsa.gov. For emergencies, please dial 988 for immediate assistance.

Thank for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.

EP168 - Certified Survey Technician (CST) Board

The Certified Survey Technician (CST) Board is in the house!

While on a break during their quarterly business and grading meeting, the members of the CST Board joined “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and your host, Tim Burch, to talk about what is going on with the program. The board shares their experiences in their professional careers that lead them to devoting a significant amount of time in their volunteer efforts of board duties. We hear about the origin of the program and ongoing efforts to modernize the content, format, and delivery of this important certification exam.

The Certified Survey Technician (CST) testing program has been a staple in technician exams and career-path guidance for more than four decades. For more information about the CST program,, how to apply for the exam OR to volunteer as a proctor, please visit the website at CSTNSPS.COM.

EP167 - Linda Foster - Esri and NSPS - Surveyors and GIS Webinar Series

This week's episode of "Surveyor Says!" The NSPS Podcast asks the question: have you ever wondered how GIS can help you as a surveyor?

Linda Foster, PLS, GISP, MGIS, Global Manager - Land Records/Cadastre for Esri, sat down with your host, Tim Burch, to discuss the webinar series and what surveyors can gain from checking it out.

Would you like to learn more but just don't have the time or know where to start? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this webinar series is for you! Join us as we introduce you to GIS and the many ways it can help you in your daily work and also enhance the products you are delivering to your clients.

Webinars will be recorded and made available to those who register, so don't worry if you can't make it during the live session.

EP166 - Megan Theune-Baillargeon, Wisconsin Young Surveyor

This week's episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast finds us in the nation's capital within the shadow of the Washington Monument and the NSPS Student Competition. Your host, Tim Burch, caught up with Megan Theune-Baillargeon, a Young Surveyor from Wisconsin and volunteer for the Competition. Megan shared her story of growing up on the outskirts of Milwaukee and getting her start in surveying. She talked about the benefits of working for a small firm early in her career to gain valuable knowledge in varying parts of surveying. Megan has taken that early experience and transforming her career path through surveying classes into a future goal of professional licensure.

Our profession will be much better off if we can encourage more bright young minds like Megan! Thanks for your contribution to the NSPS Student Competition and for your efforts to promote the profession through the Wisconsin YSN.

EP165 - Michael Bleeker (NJIT) & ”Gunther”

Emerging technology is the theme for this episode as we take a peek at combining several cutting edge measuring devices and placing them on one platform. Our guest this week on "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" is Michael Bleeker, a student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Your host, Tim Burch, met Michael at the NJSPLS "SurvCon" in Atlantic City where "Gunther" was unveiled to the attendees for a demonstration. The two of them sat down recently to discuss the project and how Michael is applying his variety of skills to build an instrument for future surveyors. He shared his background in mechanical engineering and why he is applying that knowledge into building better measuring tools for the future.

EP164 - ”Women in Surveying” - A chat with Paula Dijkstra

Wrapping up our series in highlighting "Women in Surveying" during the March celebration of "Women's History Month," this episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast finds us talking parcel mapping and land title rights. Your host, Executive Director Tim Burch, connected with Paula Dijkstra from the Netherlands, where she is the Director of Kadaster International. Paula shared her story about growing up "below sea level" in the Netherlands and becoming fascinated with geography in school. Her core interest became cultural geography, and led to more studies in GIS and parcel/land title rights. Tim and Paula also talked about how technology is changing the ability to manage land title rights so more under-developed countries can utilize the power of GIS and surveying to establish permanent ownership for its residence. Paula also shared the importance of mentoring from all viewpoints to engage and encourage everyone within the team.