Meet Grace Watson, the newest member of our Land Surveying Team!
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself…
Grace: I am originally from Hannibal, MO. I moved to Iowa this January, after graduating from State Technical College of Missouri. I have two dogs; a redbone and a golden-doodle. I enjoy hunting and fishing. I am part of a tractor club in Missouri where my boyfriend and I participate in antique tractor shows and tractor pulls.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a technician?
Grace: I love that my career gives me a nice balance between office work and field work. As a surveyor, you get to lay out the project and show how different points can be brought together, through Civil 3D software.
Q: Why did you decide to join the Klingner team?
Grace: I knew of Klingner from my last job; we worked with them often. When I moved to Iowa and was looking for an employer, I noticed that Klingner had an office in Burlington. I thought it would be a great opportunity to work here; it’s not too far from our house and I was able to start my career in surveying. Everyone at Klingner is so welcoming and makes you feel right at home.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the projects you work on?
Grace: I love that no project is the same. There is so much variety each week in what tasks I will do. With my previous employer, I was part of a job from the middle to the end of a project. As a surveyor, I get to start a project from the very beginning; laying out all of the project points to later come back into the office, using our data technology software to see what we’re able to make into a project design.
Q: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Grace: I would have to classify myself as an introvert. I have a harder time opening up at first and being myself. Once I’m more comfortable around someone, I am able to open up a little more and be myself.
Q: What is your favorite family recipe?
Grace: My dad was raised in Louisiana and our family would cook just about anything classified as “southern”. My dad has a lot of really great recipes but my favorite family recipe would have to be his jambalaya. Since moving out, I did take that recipe with me and whenever I make it, it just reminds me a little bit of home.
Q: Do you play any sports?
Grace: I first played basketball growing up, then got into softball when a friend of mind needed an extra player on their team. I ended up loving softball and played until I graduated from high school. In high school, I was also involved in track running relays, threw javelin and long-jump. The only sport I really do play at this time is summer league volleyball.