My Take - Why Surveying Must Become Visible Artwork

This is Surveying

🎧 This Is Surveying

Because surveying matters, and so do the people behind it.

This Is Surveying lifts the lid on the real world of surveying, the highs, the hurdles, the geeky details (yes, even AI and emerging tech), and the humans driving it all.

We go beyond the stereotypes to explore how surveyors shape both the built and natural environment. You’ll hear honest, down-to-earth conversations about work, business, and life, from seasoned professionals to those just starting out, plus fresh perspectives from guests outside the profession who bring valuable insight into leadership, innovation, and change.

Powered by Surveyors UK, the independent platform connecting and promoting the profession, and The Surveying Room, its free online community bringing surveyors together, breaking down silos, and making surveying visible.

If you’re a surveyor, a future surveyor, or simply curious about this brilliant and often overlooked profession, you’re in the right place.

Hosted by Nina Young, Founder of Surveyors UK. Visit www.surveyors-uk.com
to join The Surveying Room and learn more.

We are also on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@SurveyorsUK

All Episodes

This is Surveying

My Take - Why Surveying Must Become Visible

December 02, 2025 • Nina Young - Surveyors UK • Season 1 • Episode 2

Summary
In this solo episode of This Is Surveying called "My Take", I talk about something I see across the whole profession. Surveying is still largely invisible to the public, to young people choosing careers, and even to some of the industries that rely on us. I share my own story, why I stepped away from qualifying as a residential surveyor to build Surveyors UK and The Surveying Room, and how this podcast is part of making surveyors visible and valued.

What we cover

Why can most people describe what a solicitor or architect does, but not a surveyor
How my experience training as a residential surveyor during COVID exposed the visibility gap
The “Gandalf in tweed” moment that nearly put me off surveying at school
Why I believe the surveying profession is at a crossroads, with an ageing workforce and course closures in areas like building surveying and geospatial
The role of AI, reforms to buying and selling, and low public awareness in shaping the future of surveying
How a Facebook student community of over 3,000 surveyors showed there was demand for something bigger
The silos between residential, QS, geospatial and other specialisms, and the shared issues of isolation, value, and diversity
Why I chose to focus on building Surveyors UK and The Surveying Room instead of finishing my residential surveying qualification
What This Is Surveying is here to do, for both people inside the profession and those outside looking in
An invitation to join The Surveying Room and to be a guest on the podcast

Links

Connect with Nina Young on LinkedIn:
Join Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room
Email info@surveyors-uk.com about becoming a guest

You can also support the podcast by subscribing in your favourite podcast app, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room

Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn