Profile
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Sylwia Nikel
Curriculum Vitae
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Education:
UNIGIS UK, Manchester Metropolitan University
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Qualifications:
MSc in GIS
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Work History:
Poland – Land Surveyors office; UK having my own company contracting for: SGN, Balfour Beatty, Neftex, Fisher German Priestner
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Current Job:
Senior GIS Specialist
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Employer:
Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists working across every aspect of today’s built environment. We aim to help our clients meet their business needs by adding value through technical excellence, efficient organisation and personal service, by providing world class consulting services needed at every stage of a project, from inception to implementation.
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About Me
I'm originally from Poland and have been in the UK for just over 10 years.
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I live with my husband David in Chorlton (south of Manchester). We a terrapin called Conan and we are expecting our first child in August, a little baby girl. I recently turned vegan and discovering food is like a new adventure.
I used to play the guitar and sing in a Punk-rock band. I still sing at home and occasionally play the guitar.
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My Work
I'm GIS specialist with 12 years experience. GIS stands for Geographical Information Systems.
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I’m a GIS professional with 16 years of experience acquired internationally – Poland, public sector and UK, private sector companies. I have a passion for GIS that has developed over the years of experience and I am currently undertaking a GIS MSc course (last year) to deepen my knowledge.
In recent years I have been working on the HS2 project where I have been responsible for providing design and analysis support for large part of the project. I was supporting the Ecology discipline for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for High Speed 2 Phase 2a. The range of tasks I was responsible for included: data capture and management, implementing the use of mobile data capture technology, database management, data analysis for reports and survey planning, provision of survey planning data and plans, general GIS consultancy to support about 20 ecologists (internally and externally), 200 surveyors and approximately 7800 surveys.
I’m the initiator and co-organiser of GISday @ Campus celebrations, which is organised once a year in November. I also am organising at least once a month Campus MM (Missing Maps) events and just on 21st of Feb I hosted first GeoMentors Midlands networking event, which is planned to be a regular event.
I am a Fellow of RGS and after graduating I will be applying to become Chartered Geographer (GIS).
I also am now organising GeoMentors Midlands Networking. This is mainly for teachers to learn more about GIS to be able to provide students with better insight to the GIS industry.
The very First GeoMentors Midlands Networking announcement.
GeoMentors Midlands Networking event review.
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My Typical Day: One of the things I like about my work is that there is no typical day.
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My work is different each day. I have a full flexibility of how I approach the problem as long as the final result is good enough and is correct. Having this flexibility allows me to grow in the direction that is interesting to me and it allows me to challenge myself.
I tend to be proactive. I prefer not to wait for work to come to me, I go and ask for it and shape it so it’s more convenient to me.
As part of an integrated team, my colleagues and I offer valuable input that can have a significant impact on project success. The multidisciplinary nature of our work enables us to get an overall view of any project that we undertake, meaning we are able to quickly and effectively import any other required expertise, providing the best possible value to our clients. Our aim is to always develop solutions that are specifically tailored to the project and its site. We provide our clients with the best possible solutions for their needs.
What is GIS?
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a technology which provides tools for interacting with data using its real world location. The data can be used for analysis, enhanced decision-making through data visualisation, and improving access to information.
Spatial sciences have transformed the way we use information about space and time.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
enthusiastic, persistent, curious
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
Interested kids in career in GIS by organising GISday @ Campus and inviting students to workshops and interactive presentations.
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
I think it was my dad. He has sparked my interest.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Maths
What did you want to be after you left school?
Bank Manager
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes. I'm direct in my communication with people and they sometimes take it to be rude. I'm not, I just prefer not to waste time for small talk when I can spend it on discovering new things.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Rock star, at least that is my wish
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The Doors
What's your favourite food?
Chips but I'm discovering vegan cuisine now and it is a new adventure
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Go back in time to meet Jim Morrison; bring universal translator from Star Trek to real life; Get Harley Davidson
Tell us a joke.
I don't know any really but I found couple of GIS (maps) related that I found funny. 1. What do John Wayne and a map key have in common? Both are legends. 2. Why are maps like fish? Both have scales.
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