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Suppose a program like Mentoring Mondays can be formalized, recorded, and turned into lesson plans. In that case, it could serve as the
perfect vehicle to take the full weight of teaching off of busy professional land surveyors’ shoulders.

The value of CFedS

While how to structure surveying education is up for debate, the value of education as a whole is undeniable.

Evey professional surveyors can benefit from life-long continuing education. One program heavily discussed among attendees was the
CFedS program, which provides the training necessary to execute boundary surveys on or near federal interest lands.

“As a professional land surveyor and also a past BLM chief, I think it’s invaluable. And if you have a need for continuing education, why
not? Because you’ll get more in-depth sight into the federal procedures of original surveys and dependent resurveys, understand the
plats, and how to do acreage from a plat without dimensions when you have government lots. A lot of little things like that,” Michael
said.

While the value of pursuing CFedS depends on where you live and practice, the program has both educational and social benefits.

“It’s good credentials. I know this from being on the other side of the fence at an agency too. If I’m looking at a proposal from a company
and they show me some of their staff have CFedS designations, I know that those people took the commitment to do all the hours
of going through it. And they had to have a passing grade. That shows an interest in higher learning and a commitment to continuing
education far beyond what they needed to do to keep their license,” said Michael.

Steve Parrish, PLS, the current chairperson and training coordinator for CFedS, has seen 1,300 people sign up for the program since
2006, with about 550 certified CFedS currently practicing.

He is currently organizing five presenters for an upcoming conference, where participants can take a special two-credit hour CFedS
course that is offered at half the price of the regular online course.

Attracting attendees

A shortage of new students in surveying programs isn’t the only problem facing the surveying world.

At the state level, chapter organization meetings are not seeing participation and attendance from people from the field.
While private-sector employees tend to show up, others don’t. The pandemic has only served to exacerbate this pre-existing issue.

“A lot of it has to do with the influx of probably that individual company and what they’re willing to step out and do for those guys that
say hey look, we want you to advance yourself and just not be a technician or a robot for us,” said one attendee.

Surveyor shortages and public scrutiny

John Brady, PLS, a surveyor located in Fairbanks, Alaska, has his own concerns about surveyor shortages.

“This year, I am president of our local Fairbank’s chapter of ASPLS. And I’m the youngest guy in the room by 30 years, usually
sometimes even 40. And that’s a huge issue to me. Because what is the society going to look like in 10 years when I’m pretty much the
only one left?” he wondered.

That’s one reason why John is so thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in Mentoring
Monday sessions and connect with other surveyors across the United States.

“That’s the beauty of the technology we have available these days to be able to network
outside of our locales and be able to actually get an idea of what people are doing across the
country and across the world,” he said.

John is also a fan of the Get Kids Into Survey program, which inspires future geospatial experts.
During the pandemic, he’s been working the program into the homeschooling curriculum for his
own children.

“I mean, it’s great in one sense because I’ll always have a job. But I also want to see the profession grow and continue on and still be
around when I’m ready to pass it off to the next generation. Which hopefully will be quite a ways down the line,” said John.
Trent Keenan, PLS, raised the important point that fewer surveyors does not necessarily translate into riches and smooth sailing for the
surveyors that remain.
8 The Nevada Traverse Vol.48, No.2, 2021