Over the next few weeks, we will be catching up with a number of finalists shortlisted for this year’s RICS Young Surveyor of the year awards.
As proud sponsors of the Building Surveying category, GoReport are privileged to find out more about the career path of these inspirational young professionals and share valuable insights into how they got to where they are today and what they believe is the future of surveying.
Firstly we hear from Sam Nicholson a Chartered Building Surveyor working for Wakefields Chartered Building Surveyors.
How did you begin your role as a surveyor?
Following graduation, I went to work for a multinational energy company, specifically concentrating within the offshore renewable energy sector. After a number of years I then made the move back to surveying. Following work experience I progressed to a full time position within the company and in turn becoming chartered.
How do you feel about being shortlist in the building surveying category?
After being awarded the North East Young Surveyor of the Year via the 1947 Club I was honoured to be shortlisted for the national equivalent. It is inspiring to be rubbing shoulders with the other applicant who are arguably the sectors emerging talent and the leaders of the future (if not already). Regardless of the outcome being shortlisted is an achievement in itself and a motivating milestone in my career trajectory.
What do you do to stay relevant in the industry?
Following becoming chartered earlier in the year I continue to run a twice weekly mulit-discipline virtual study group. This allows me to give back to the profession and those working towards their APC but also provides a wider network for the sharing of information, guidance notes, legislation to keep me current and up to date. In addition to this I am very fortunate to work for an amazing firm (Wakefields Chartered Building Surveyors in Newcastle) who provide the framework for valuable CPD and information sharing within the business.
What advice would you give to individuals who are pursuing a career in surveying?
The first thing would be to do your research/reading to gain a good understanding of the types of surveying and surveying roles. Following this some work experience and shadowing can also assist in helping to find what you like and also importantly what you do not, to in turn understand the best route to follow. The main benefit that attracted myself to the role is the varied workloads and the ability to make a tangible difference to the built environment for future generations.
What do you believe is the future of surveying?
It is clear that the sector, legislation and proposed policies have a considerably drive with regards to sustainability, the application of technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Arguably these will continue to grow and become and key attribute of the surveying sector. I see the future of surveying becoming increasing digital with the automated collection of huge quantities of data points. This data is in turn required to be processed, interpreted and presented to clients alongside suitable advice.
What motivates you as a surveyor?
I am generally a self-motivated person that sets short and long terms goals to achieve my targets both personally and professionally. I have the benefit of a number of mentors to regularly check in with and discuss progress etc and can recall a number of quotes that particularly resonate with me :
“Being comfortable with the uncomfortable” Rob Cohen
“It’s okay to be ‘average’ as long as your surround yourself with extraordinary people that you become the average of” Hal Elrod
What is your ultimate career goal as you see it today?
I am eager to continue developing my knowledge of the sector and to generate new techniques, strategies and processes that have a tangible benefit within building surveying and the wider fields. In the long term I hope to progress within leadership opportunities and I aspire to become known as an expert within the field alongside continuing to mentor and support surveyors during and post APC.
How has the adoption of digital solutions in surveying benefited your career so far
I have great interest in both the use and application of technology within the sector. Even within recent the years widespread adoption of one item such as cloud based storage has increased the accessibility of data which can lead to greater efficiency, reduction in ‘time to decision’ and the increased ease of collaboration.
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