About us

Welcome to the California Young Surveyor’s Network!

State Coordinator’s Report:

I’m as new as anyone here, having only been assigned as State Coordinator at the end of March! I am excited to help build a community of younger surveyors who can support each other and affect change that will improve the industry for future surveyors.


Here’s who I am:

I am a 32-year-old Professional Land Surveyor licensed in the State of California. I grew up in a rural part of Northern California (Lotus, CA) and gained a love of the outdoors and fascination with land, history, and how the two coincide. After graduating from UCSB in 2014, I worked in Archaeology for a year while trying to figure out what to do for a “real job”. I stumbled into surveying, and was hooked. I became a survey nerd, frustrating many with my endless chatter about survey topics. Now I’m back in my hometown of Lotus, where I live with my partner Maggie. When I’m not surveying, I love rafting, skiing, and spending time with the animals on our little farm.

Here are my focuses for YSN:

  1. Growth. We need motivated people to get together and help younger surveyors in this industry. The more the merrier. My goal is to have at least 5 regions and at least 50 members by the end of the year.

  2. Advocacy. We need to start building the future of surveying into something that we want to be involved in. I respect and admire my older colleagues, and value their input and opinions, but they are predominantly not the ones who will work in the industry of the future. I want the young surveyors to have a loud and influential voice in the goings on of California Surveying.

  3. Fun. Surveying is, unlike professional industries like doctors, not usually life or death. I try not to take myself too seriously, and hope we can build a network of younger surveyors who can call the person working for the company across town a friend. Let’s have some fun building something.

Why you should join and engage with our group:

  1. Mentorship. Surveying is an aging profession. The 2008 recession created a gap—many younger people left the field, and we’re still feeling that. As we grow into leadership roles, we mostly learn from those nearing retirement. Let’s connect younger surveyors with each other and build peer mentorship and support.

  2. Networking. If you would’ve told me 5 years ago that I would end up involved in the CLSA, State Coordinator of the YSN, and talking to young people about the importance of networking, I wouldn't have believed you. I still don’t think networking should be as important as it is… but it is. If you want the best career you can get, talking to other surveyors is your path to get there. I only started doing it 2-3 years ago. I sometimes hate it, and sometimes enjoy it, but have realized it is incredibly important.

  3. Free Stuff. I am going to cajole and beg and kick and scream until I help others see the value in supporting this group. Sponsoring our meet-ups means the future surveyors of California know the name of your company or brand. Young surveyors are hard to find, and highly coveted. Come show you are interested in surveying and we will get you free food, and some free stuff. The more people we can get to our meetings, the greater our bargaining power is.

Wrap It Up Already:

I try to be as transparent as I can be in my dealings. Where that doesn’t happen is usually because I am trying not to swear with wild abandon. I will be working hard to make this CA YSN a force that improves the lives of all young surveyors, and I hope you will help.

Young surveyor network structure

State - California

California Young Surveyors Network (2021) - Us!

Created in part by the California Land Surveyors Association in 2021 and modeled on fellow networks within the NSPS (National Young Surveyors Network).

Promote– promote the surveying profession to the public by sharing materials, ideas and opportunities

Connect–  young surveyors are connected with local and national surveying organizations and associations

Represent–  present and represented at local and national surveying organizations and associations

Participate– engaged, active and have the opportunity to get a voice at local and national surveying organizations and associations

National - usa

NSPS Young Surveyors Network (2014)

NATIONAL YOUNG SURVEYORS MOVEMENT BEGAN WITH NSPS

  • Modeled after and closely tied to the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Young Surveyors Network.

  • Dedicated to creating a national network of Young Surveyors within NSPS and its affiliate organizations.

Working together with NSPS in promoting the profession from a Young Surveyor’s perspective in showing the public the advanced technological, mathematical, engineering, and analytical skills surveyors have to benefit society.

  • Engage Young Surveyors and NSPS members to stay connected and informed by using social media.

  • Connecting the NSPS Young Surveyors Network and its members with the FIG Young Surveyors Network to ensure the progress of a global Network of Young Surveyors.

  • Active Young Surveyors participating and being involved, by giving them a voice in NSPS and its member associations.

International

FIG Young Surveyors Network (2009)

FIG (International Federation of Surveyors) was founded in 1878 and is a United Nations and World Bank recognized non-governmental organization of national member associations, cadastral and mapping agencies and ministries, universities and corporates from over 120 countries.

Inspire and support a collaborative platform for emerging members of all surveying disciplines

  • Nurture existing and grow new partnerships to contribute to global sustainability initiatives.

  • Strengthen the bond between FIG and YSN, and among Young Surveyors globally.

  • Promote the sharing of knowledge and creation of initiatives with like-minded industry professionals.

  • Innovate to ensure the sustainability and future of the profession.

  • Raise awareness of FIG and FIG YSN and work with FIG Commissions to achieve common goals.

  • Empower and build a collaborative team.