Callum Bragg

Current Surveying Student

Place of study
RMIT University, Melbourne Campus

Length of time studying surveying to date
One year

Course
Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) (Honours)

Can you tell us a little about yourself – both your background and what you are up to now?

In 2018 I completed Year 12 at Parade College in Bundoora. I am currently undertaking my first year of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) (Honours) at RMIT Melbourne City Campus. Although the course is quite contact hour heavy, I’m finding it extremely interesting and enjoyable.

How did high school prepare you for surveying study?

High school for me was a unique experience. I was doing six VCE subjects, of which only two where prerequisites for this course – Maths and English.

That said, Product Design is a very hands-on subject. Outdoor and Environmental Studies is obviously a very outdoor experienced-based class. Even Accounting relies on large amounts of simple mathematics. In high school, these subjects did not at all seem like things I could combine into one course; however, I do complete large aspects of them on a daily basis.

You took part in a surveying work experience. When was this and where did the placement take place?

I took part in Year 10 work experience; typically, all high school students must complete at least one week in said year.

In Year 10 I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I was lucky enough to contact the Try Surveying team and they connected me with a surveying firm in my local area who was willing to take me on for my year ten work experience. This was at a surveying firm located in Montmorency, nearby to my house.

This was the beginning of my realisation that surveying was the perfect course for me.

Can you speak about what that was experience was like for you, what you did during that placement, and what appealed to you about it?

I undertook a whole host of tasks. These included using total stations, digital levels, CAD programs, marking boundaries with pegs, driving spikes into the ground and even just holding a prism for someone else to measure to.

Why did you choose surveying for your tertiary study?

I learnt from my work experience that it would be an extremely enjoyable career for me to partake in. Not only did the work experience give me that taste for it, it also sparked an interest in the field which led to me doing much more research about the course, career, possible outcomes of completing the course and all other information that revolved around the topic.

What sort of things are you learning about during your tertiary study?

I am currently completing my tertiary study now, but I have covered a whole host of topics such as mathematics, cartography, surveying (fieldwork and office work), physical geography and even computer programming.

What do you love the most about your work and study – and what do you find most challenging about it?

What I love most is the ability to be able to work outside, whilst using a host of highly advanced technology.

What’s most challenging for me is conceptualising the maths topics that I have covered in my course.

Where do you think your path into surveying will take you in the future?

I hope to find myself a position in a larger surveying firm in the mining industry. Ultimately, I want to find a steady, well-paid and satisfying job.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying surveying?

Surveying is a fantastic path to travel down if you like geography, maths, outdoor environments, technology and design.

Research and discuss anything and everything to do with surveying. The more you learn about this field, the more interesting you will find it. Something such as Year 10 work experience is a perfect opportunity to test if you will find the contentment with the topic like I do.

Callum’s found an area of study that’s exciting, engaging and right for him. Wondering if it is right for you too?

We may be able to organise work experience opportunities for you. Investigate and register your interest here.