Intern Insights - Blair Rutherford
We have been fortunate to have some amazing interns working with us over the summer holidays who have put together a few words about their experience at Stratum. First up… Blair Rutherford!
Kia ora,
My name is Blair and I am currently part of the Te Puke surveying team, working as a surveying intern. I am lucky enough to have worked with Stratum for two summers now, where I have learned a number of skills that will be sure to benefit my career as a professional land surveyor.
One of my favourite aspects of the role is the ability to travel across the wider Bay of Plenty for a range of different jobs. Within my time at Stratum, I have worked in almost all areas of the Bay, from Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, Paengaroa, and even as far east as Te Kaha.
There have been a number of highlights while I have worked at Stratum. They are:
The GPS work along the base track of Mauao in the Mount,
The reward of witnessing projects that I have worked on coming to completion when returning for my second summer e.g. Pacific Lakes Village.
A memorable site visit for me would be my recent travel to Te Kaha along the East Coast. Growing up, I spent a lot of time along the East Coast as it is where my family is from, and to be given the chance to work out those ways I found pretty awesome. Plus it meant a miniature road trip for work!
I am about to embark into my 4th year of study at the University of Otago, studying a Bachelor of Surveying. The last two summers of interning has enabled me to apply what I have been learning at University into real-life practice. At University, I have only been exposed to standard Total Station work, however at Stratum, I have been exposed to using Trimble Robotic Total Station’s almost daily, which are more intuitive and time efficient. It is exciting to see how advanced surveying technology is becoming, and how robotic total station work is now becoming the new normal.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time interning at Stratum over the last two summers, and believe I have gained an ample amount of field experience which I can take forward into my future as a surveyor. The friendly, easy going nature between all the staff makes Stratum an awesome place to work.
I could not recommend Stratum Consultants highly enough to any future interns or graduates looking to progress themselves and their career further in land surveying.
Ngā mihi nui,
Blair