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The majority of graduates are snapped up by surveying and construction companies in New Zealand and Australia. Other graduates of the National School of Surveying have moved into scientific research while others have chosen to travel the world, undertaking:

  • seismic surveys
  • defining oil exploration areas
  • aligning tunnels
  • mining
  • hydrographic surveying
  • setting out high rise buildings or other major engineering structures
  • general survey practice/cadastral jobs.

Some have become involved in defining international boundaries for the United Nations. In time, many end up as consultants running their own businesses.

The challenges are many and the work is rarely boring. It is this variety and diversity that helps make surveying such an enjoyable profession. The personal profiles below will give you an idea of the scope of the profession.

Meet some of our graduates

Malcolm Dawson

BSurv (Hons)

Malcolm Profile

A brief personal profile since leaving:
I finished at The School of Surveying 2011, graduated 2012, Licensed 2014, currently Survey Manager at CKL Survey, Auckland office. I've been involved in a number of interesting cadastral and engineering projects since I've been working at CKL.

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Alistair Bond

BSurv (Hons).

Alistair Bond

Since graduating in 2011 my path has been a bit different to most. I moved to Cambridge to be part of the NZ rowing team and competed until the 2016 Rio Olympics. I was always mindful of forgetting what I had learnt at Survey School while I was rowing though, so thankfully I was able to get a part time job with Cogswell Surveys.

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Robert Mears

BSurv

Robert Mears - Square

During secondary school, Robert Mears discovered a love of problem solving, especially in regards to maths and design. Coming from a farming background, the opportunity for him to work with the tangibility of land was also attractive so he felt, Surveying ticked all the right boxes.

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Melissa Harrington

BSurv (Hons)

Melissa Harrington_1_square

Melissa Harrington was deciding between Civil Engineering and Geography, until her Geography teacher, an alumna herself, suggested Surveying as a career option.

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Lisa Shearer

BSurv

Lisa Shearer Square

Lisa Shearer decided to study surveying after talking to her older brother and friends in the mountain bike club, who were all enjoying studying surveying at the University of Otago.

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Daniel

BSurv

Dan Graham Square

As an indecisive teenager in his final year of high school, Dan Graham chose to study surveying because it involved maths, and more importantly, a chance to work outdoors.

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Cassino Doyle

BSc(LDPD), GradDip(SURV) 2008

Cassino Edwards Square

After receiving head injuries while playing Professional Ruby League in the UK, Cassino realised he needed to reprioritise his sporting career and reassess his future career options.
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Emma Bullock

BSurv(Hons)

Emma Bullock

During my degree I worked with MWH as summer hire, as part of SURV499 vacation employment. This allowed me to confirm that I had made the right career choice as well as gain the practical days required to Graduate. I have now been working with MWH in the Wanganui office as a Graduate for three years.
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Hamish McKinlay_cropHamish McKinlay

BSurv

After completing a Bachelor of Surveying degree in 2002 Hamish was hired as a surveyor for an international oil company.
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Jonathan Davis_cropJonathan Davis

BSurv (Hons)

Though Jonathan started out testing field and office software used by surveyors and engineers, he's more involved with product management and marketing these days, but he tries his best to maintain a good technical contact with the projects he is involved in. Jonathan believes the Surveying degree at Otago "is so broad you can do anything”.
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Justin Poole_cropJustin Poole

BAppSc (GISS)

The BAppSc degree in Geographical Information Systems made perfect sense for Justin with his interest in computers, a passion for geography, and a desire to work in a field with practical and wide-ranging applications.
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Robert Rameka_cropRobert Rameka (Ngati Kahungunu, Tuhoe, Nga Puhi)

BSurv

Robbie's teachers at Flaxmere High saw that he had ability in maths and physics and encouraged him to apply for the University of Otago's Bachelor of Surveying degree.
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