Recently, Helen Stead of Countrywide Home Surveys and I attended two schools, one in the North West and one in the Midlands to talk about all things surveying and to introduce them to a career they may never have heard of, being a Surveyor - except, of course, we didn’t quite call it that.
Personally, I had the absolute pleasure of spending a day with 300 bright, curious minds of children in Key Stage 1 and 2, across six sessions at a primary school.
We talked about being building detectives, the people who investigate the bones of buildings, uncover hidden problems, unearth structural mysteries, and help make their homes safe and sound. Of course, to children, a house isn’t just bricks and mortar, it’s their home, filled with family, pets, and hopefully laughter, and the people who love them most. It was a joy to see their eyes light up at the idea that buildings, like stories, have clues to uncover and secrets to reveal.
But the time spent with them was about more than the day job. It was about inspiring futures.
Why start the career conversation so young?
Children form ideas about careers, identity, and possibilities far earlier than we tend to think. Research shows that by the age of seven, many children have already begun to narrow their view of what’s possible for them. Their ideas are shaped by what and who they see around them.
That’s why it matters when someone walks into the classroom and says, “Here’s a job you might never have heard of… and you could do it.”
When children meet a real person, not just a picture in a textbook, doing a job that involves curiosity, problem-solving, teamwork, and impact, it opens doors in their minds. It challenges stereotypes, sparks imagination, and says: Your future is bigger than you know.
Being a visible role model
As professionals, we have a responsibility and a significant opportunity to show up. Not just in offices, on sites, or behind desks, but in schools, assemblies, and community spaces. Two hours of our own time makes such a difference to our future generations. Children need to see people who look like them, who come from different backgrounds, who bring different strengths, all doing meaningful work. When we make ourselves visible, we send a powerful message.
Making careers relatable
For young children, career talks shouldn’t be about qualifications or industry jargon. They should be stories. Adventures. Questions. “Have you ever wondered why your floor squeaks?”, “Who do you think checks that your school is safe to learn in?” and “What do you think happens when a house gets damp?”
When we frame our work in ways that connect with their everyday experiences and wonderful curiosity, we show them that careers are not abstract, they’re real. What you learn at school isn’t just for the classroom, skills like listening carefully, communicating clearly, working in a team, and even writing reports are the very same skills grown-ups (that’s us) use every day at work!
Will every one of those 300 children grow up to become a Surveyor? Probably not. But that’s not the point. The point is that now, they know this job exists. They’ve seen someone who does it. They’ve felt what it’s like to be treated as capable and curious. And maybe, just maybe, that short interaction nudges one child to explore it, pick up a damp meter or a torch, see a ladder and show new interest, or dream a little bigger.
They all knew they couldn’t buy a house with their pocket money, but they also knew that one day, with hard work, saving, and determination, they just might… and maybe they’ll be informed enough to get a survey too!
