Getting to Know our Field Team

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you became a Field Technician?

I’m Emily Mitchell, and I am a New England native. I attended the University of Maine to get a Bachelor of Science in Survey Engineering Technology and am currently pursuing a master’s at Southern New Hampshire University. I became involved in surveying a lot more once I joined the University of Maine’s chapter of the National Society of Professional Surveyors. At a competition I attended, SAM was a sponsor which made me interested in learning more about the company. The people I met from SAM were very nice and supportive of the students. So, I decided to apply for a field technician position.

What’s your favorite part about SAM?

My favorite part of SAM is the people and community! Everyone I work with makes everyday fun and worth coming in for. Participating in community events that SAM hosts or sponsors for offices are also fun.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how do you overcome them?

Some of the biggest challenges have been reacquainting myself with the equipment and learning how to use new tools as well. In school, I used a lot of older equipment that relied on hand calculations instead of software, like we use at SAM. To overcome this, I find similarities between them to make the confusion easier to displace. In addition, I always double-check my work if I need clarification, which has helped me get the hang of the tools and solidify the concepts in my brain.

Can you describe a particularly interesting or rewarding project that you have worked on recently?

An exciting and rewarding project I have worked on so far has been doing cross-sections across a highway in Destin, Florida. Our work was way ahead of schedule, and it was a lot of fun to see how the data all came together in the office.

What advice would you give to other women who are interested in pursuing a career as a Field Technician?

Don't be afraid of not getting the hang of everything at first. I still struggle with some things, but everyone can't be great at everything all at once. There's no harm in learning from mistakes. Plus, you'll always find groups at SAM that makes you feel at home.

Does your team have a tradition or favorite practice in place?

Almost every Monday (or Tuesday), one of our office members brings in breakfast for the entire field staff, and it gives everyone a couple of minutes to relax and spend time with each other before starting all the tasks for the week.

What’s your favorite equipment to use?

My favorite piece of equipment to use is the collector in Carlson mode. It really helps me understand and see where the lines connect, and I think it's cool that our software can do that. It's also fantastic to see the line art reflect the data points.

What's the most interesting place you've ever visited, and why did you love it?

It's hard for me to pick, but I must say Minerva's Temple in Bath, England. I was sick during the trip, and after visiting the temple, I was perfectly fine, so I consider that Roman goddess and her temple a lucky charm!

What's your favorite hobby, and how did you first get interested in it?

My favorite hobby is cosplaying, which I have been doing for nine years. I was introduced to it by a friend who wanted to also see about attending a local convention near Halloween. My favorite characters are ones from anime or from stories that I connect with. I am actually about to compete in cosplay crafting for the first time this year!