Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

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.

EP163 - ”Women in Surveying” - A chat with Megan Sattur

This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” continues our journey through Women's History Month and our "Women in Surveying" series. Once again, our guest is from the Garden State of New Jersey and a student in the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Your host, Tim Burch, sat down with Megan Sattur to chat about the program at NJIT, the importance of combining education with experience, and how technology is opening many doors for future generations of surveyors from all walks of life. She shared how an early job in the title industry and retracing legal descriptions led her to going back to school to pursue her surveying degree.

Megan also talked about how NJIT recognizes the importance of learning and utilizing new technologies and software as critical skills necessary in producing job-ready surveyors and geospatialists. A great conversation with a dynamic young talent so check out what she has to say!

EP162 - ”BONUS EPISODE” The Bucks County Technical High School Program

This "bonus" episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast, as part of National Surveyors Week and Global Surveyors Day, showcases a high school program in which training futures surveyors is their primary objective.

The members of the Bucks Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors (PSLS) recently hosted the Senior Scholarship Dinner for the students within the Bucks County Technical High School surveying program. NSPS Executive Director Tim Burch was in attendance, so he recorded conversations with the students, company sponsors, and Program Lead Doug Bennet for this week's bonus posting.

Check out their conversation and hear how these students are utilizing this educational opportunity to invest in themselves for a "future proof" career. They also share how co-op employment through company sponsors are providing a great way to build their careers while minimizing the debt for future schooling.

EP161 - ”Women in Surveying” - A chat with Jen Reap, PLS

March is Women’s History Month, so NSPS is continuing to highlight “Women in Surveying” with another great conversation! This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast is Tim Burch's recent chat with Jennifer Reap, PLS, Principal of Badey & Watson (badey-watson.com), a surveying and engineering firm in Cold Spring, NY.

A second generation surveyor, Jen shared her story of trying not to follow in her father's footsteps, but how this wonderful profession brought her back to her true calling as a licensed surveyor. They talked about how the evolution of women in surveying has come a long way and how the profession can do a better job going forward. Jen noted that having a passion for the profession and good work ethic can lead to a fulfilling career that will last a lifetime.

EP160 - ”Women in Surveying” - A chat with Jamie Reed, PLS

Continuing our series in highlighting "Women in Surveying" during the March celebration of "Women's History Month," this episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast is no exception. Your host, Executive Director Tim Burch, recently chatted with Jamie Reed, PLS, with Sands Surveying, Inc. in Kalispell, MT where she is also a partner in the firm. She shared her story about getting exposed to surveying through Trig-Star in high school, attending Flathead Valley Community College, then obtaining her license to survey in the beautiful Rocky Mts. in northwest Montana. A passionate advocate for the profession, Jamie talked about her volunteering opportunities, including presenting to students in high school and various scouting troops about surveying. She also discussed the importance of professional associations being involved with ongoing legislation that directly affects surveyors and the public they serve.

She is truly a role model for all surveyors by how she is spreading our message about the profession.

Episode 159 – “Women in Surveying,” a Chat with Amanda Allred, NSPS President

March is Women’s History Month, so NSPS kicks off the next few weeks highlighting “Women in Surveying.” This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast is the conversation between Executive Director Tim Burch and the current NSPS President Amanda Allred talking her year leading our organization. She shares experiences from her travels, meeting lots of surveyors worldwide, and how women are becoming more respected within the profession. Amanda and Tim talk about their trip to Warsaw, Poland for the 2022 FIG Congress as US delegates and being among peers from around the world.

An additional shoutout to Terrane for assisting Amanda with being available to use her position of NSPS President to promote "Women in Surveying" along with the overall profession.  terrane.net