Field Notes Archives
Mentoring: A Two Way Street
As the tools of our profession have changed, it seems that the opportunities for mentoring those following in our professional footsteps have diminished dramatically. Mentoring, or the lack thereof and what to do about it, may be the most widely discussed topic in our profession these days, from discussion forums, to professional associations, to the […]
State Geodetic Coordinators: An Important Emerging Position
As the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) completes its transition from the State Geodetic Advisor Program to the Regional Advisor Program by the end of 2016, the states are changing their roles with NGS as well. In the past, the participating states have been contractual partners with the NGS, providing roughly half of the funding […]
Geodesy around the Campfire
Although I thoroughly enjoy what I do for a living as a land surveyor specializing in geodetic control work, I often tell people it makes for really lousy dinner conversation. Rarely does it take more than a sentence or two to generate blank stares, gestures of confusion, and drastic attempts to change the subject. The […]
Advice for the Young Surveyor
A conversation with Muried Alvin (Al) Pepling, PLS From FN editor Scott P. Martin: Al’s advice and insight contains much wisdom that can be applied to almost any professional career, but especially ours. Reading this caused me to recollect on writing “What is a Professional Land Surveyor?” and “Mentoring: A Two Way Street.” To succeed, […]
Coordinates: The Rodney Dangerfield of Boundary Surveying
Although my entire surveying career has been in California, I believe that the following is true in almost every, if not every, state. With regards to the Priority of Evidence Rules (Rule of Construction), when conflicting elements exist when determining boundary location, coordinates are always at the bottom of the list. In my 30 years […]
NSPS Candidates 2016
This year’s upcoming NSPS elections feature four eminently qualified candidates running for national vice president. To encourage participation by surveyors in both the NSPS and the election of national officers, xyHt reached out to all candidates and offered space in this month’s Field Notes for a bio and candidate statement. Their statements reflect their respective […]