Ordnance Survey |

Why did you choose Ordnance Survey?

During A-Levels I had a week’s work experience at Ordnance Survey, which gave me a great insight into the wide variety of work within the company.

After studying Geography at university, I choose Ordnance Survey as it is a hub for Geography careers and has a long heritage.

What does your role include?

As an Innovation and Research Scientist specialising in Earth Observation, I stay up-to-date with the latest industry and academia updates.

From these updates, I explore new and upcoming datasets in software such as Esri’s ArcPro, and NV5’s ENVI.

Problem solving is a key part of my role. I figure out whether Earth Observation can help solve a problem, and then produce a solution if it can. This type of work tends to be in support of a larger squad, working directly with customers.

What is the best thing about your role?

Getting to constantly learn and investigate new data means that no day is the same!

What is one of your favourite projects you’ve had the opportunity to work on?

I had the opportunity to work on the VeriEarth project during my last graduate placement, when the project was first starting up. Being the Project Manager for this project was a steep learning curve but gave me an incredible opportunity to learn on the job!

As part of the project, I got to visit the site we were focussing on, which was a great experience as I got to be part of the filming!

What training have you received at OS?

I have been fortunate to receive a variety of training. During the graduate scheme I attended a 3-day ArcPro with python course, which built on the ArcPro skills I developed during university, and introduced me to how I can use Python in a GIS environment.

More recently, I attended a course related to my current role, run by EuroSDR, ‘Remote Sensing and Change Detection with Sentinel Time Series Data’. This helped introduce me to types of Earth Observation data I had not explored in detail and learn about the processing steps required.

Are you involved in any networks at OS?

I am one of the co-leads of the Women+ Development Network. This has been a rewarding experience, and working with a different group of people in non-technical work provides a nice change to the day-job.

What makes OS a great place to work?

Working with a group of passionate people is one of the highlights, everyone is always happy to help and collaborate. There is also a great work/life balance, with the ability to work flexibility a major plus.

• What does your role include?

As a Technical Geospatial Analyst, in the Consultancy Services Team I help manage relationships with OS’ commercial customers which involves having conversations with utility companies from the water, energy and telecoms sectors who buy OS data. I also have some exposure to OS International involving work in the Middle East.

• What is the best thing about your role?

I love that I get to see such variety in my role, with technical queries, international projects, ongoing development, and building customer relationships.

• What is one of your favourite projects you’ve had the opportunity to work on?

I was very fortunate to get to work on the Guyana project, in which I was able to work in country for a month. We were a small consultancy OS team working with the Guyana Land and Surveys Commission, helping their GIS department to develop a more efficient process to digitise all their old survey plans from the 1960s! It was interesting work and amazing to experience working abroad in a totally different culture; as well learning new skills and making new connections.

• What training have you received at OS?

I have been on a 3-day ESRI ArcPy course, FME training, Python and SQL online learning, Scrum Master training and much more unofficial from my teammates. As part of the graduate scheme, you also have access to external professional and personal development which has been extremely beneficial as I adjusted from university to work life. There is a wealth of knowledge to be absorbed every day at OS.

Are you involved in any networks at OS?

I co-lead the Women+ Development Network at OS which helps to empower members to grow, develop and thrive in their careers, by leveraging the opportunities of the Women+ Development Network community at OS. We are an inclusive and supportive group who run regular sessions online and in person. I am also part of OS Runners which is a fun group to join if you like/want to get into running. I am also a Giving Back Ambassador, where I help the Business Centre prepare, run, promote events to raise money for our corporate charity.

• What makes OS a great place to work?

The people! I love working with such inspirational, talented, and understanding people. OS has been an extremely comfortable place of work.

Why did you choose Ordnance Survey?

When you think about GIS and Mapping, you think of OS. At university and in previous job roles, anything that involved looking a map or a location, meant looking at OS’ products. For me it was clear that a career at OS meant getting to see this data at its source and contributing to its creation.

Given how much OS’ data is used in improving people’s everyday lives, from use in emergency services to local walkers, it was clear to me that a role at OS would be rewarding and exciting to get stuck into.

What does your role include?

I’m a technical Relationship Consultant in our Consultancy & Technical Services team. My key responsibility is to support our public sector customers – anyone from emergency services to local government to the NHS – in using Ordnance Survey data and developing their geospatial capabilities.

This responsibility creates a very varied role, with varying levels of technical support. Some days I can be speaking to a customer to help them get started with our data, such as how to use topographic data in a desktop GIS. Other days, I may be developing a completely new project with a customer, helping them to explore what they can do with their own data, and how OS can enrich it.

Tell us the best and worst about your job

Without a doubt, the best part of my role is when at the end of a customer project or interaction, you know that you have helped them improve something within their organisation. As many of my customers are emergency services or environment and health agencies, this is a particularly rewarding feeling; to know that improvements that we have contributed to in their geospatial capabilities may contribute to the health and wellbeing of our environment and our communities.

The minor downside to such work, is the admin. All interactions with customers, big or small, need to be documented, and each project’s data suitably organised. This does have its perks however, as the Consultancy team thrives on knowledge sharing. Having the ability to refer back to old projects, of your own or of a colleague, makes learning new things and supporting current requirements all the easier.

What training have you received from Ordnance Survey?

My training on the graduate scheme and since joining this role has been extensive. I’ve had the opportunity to join on several remotely run courses for both hard and soft skills; including but not limited to coding with SQL, improving my remote working capabilities, and consultancy skills.

I’ve also had plenty of opportunity for on-the-job training; learning new technical skills on the go when starting a new project – with self-taught skills being hugely encouraged.

Are you involved in any networks?

Since joining OS, I’ve had the opportunity to join a number of networks tied to both internal projects, and more ‘extra-curricular’ activities. Most notably, I’ve been an active Giving Back Ambassador – a role in which I contribute to organising fundraising efforts for our corporate charity. This has become a big part of my life at OS outside of my main role, giving me the chance to meet people in the business I wouldn’t have otherwise worked with. I’ve hosted two charity quizzes, and a ‘map challenge’ – all of which were immensely encouraged by the business.

What makes Ordnance Survey a great place to work?

Work-Life Balance. To me, OS has excelled beyond any other organisation in their attitude towards working life vs personal life. I’ve never felt pushed to work exceedingly long hours and have been given great freedom in managing my own workload and time. People leaders have always been very accommodating when I needed any sick leave, time for medical appointments, or even car and property troubles. These are all things that I have felt apprehensive about raising in prior organisations but have always felt comfortable raising at OS.