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The Nevada Traverse Vol.51, No.3, 2024 3TheEditor%u2019s CornerBy: Trent J. Keenan, PLSAs Erik says in the Southern Chapter Update, I hope you all survived to the HOTTEST Summer on Record! I have lived in Las Vegas for 37 years, and it was definitely different than I remember as a kid. Even though it was hot, we still had an amazing summer in both Reno and Las Vegas. Since our last edition, both Chapters had a great time at the Reno Aces Baseball game and the Southern Chapter had another successful gathering at the Las Vegas Avitors Game. This is our annual Young Surveyors Edition of The Nevada Traverse which aims to empower the next generation of land surveyors with practical guidance and mentorship. This edition covers a range of topics designed to help young professionals navigate the challenges of starting their careers, passing exams, and possibly even starting their own businesses. With contributions from experienced surveyors and industry leaders, the articles provide invaluable insights into both the technical and business aspects of the land surveying profession. What to expect from this edition: The President%u2019s Message: A Reflection on Opportunities and Advocacy Todd A. Enke, opens the edition with a reflective message about his experiences over the past year. Todd shares highlights from the NSPS Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, where he and other NALS members presented critical topics to Congressional staffers: the TAP Pilot Program for transitioning military personnel, Survey Mark Preservation during disaster cleanup, and the continued licensing of surveyors by states. These initiatives underscore the importance of advocacy for the profession and serve as a call to action for land surveyors to engage in public policy and workforce development.Todd also reflects on the value of being involved with NALS, expressing excitement about future advocacy opportunities. He encourages surveyors to look beyond traditional recruitment pools and give a chance to individuals unfamiliar with the profession, emphasizing the need to build a larger and stronger workforce of both Professional Land Surveyors and qualified technicians.Southern Chapter Update: Engaging the Community and Building the Future Erik Denman, PLS, provides an update from the Southern Chapter, noting that while the summer heat in Southern Nevada has been challenging, it also marks a time of new beginnings. He shares news about the upcoming 4-year degree program for surveying at the College of Southern Nevada, set to launch in the spring of 2025 with the goal of obtaining ABET accreditation. The program represents a significant step forward in providing high-quality education and expanding opportunities for aspiring land surveyors.The Southern Chapter has also lined up several community and networking events, from a breakfast roundtable to the annual picnic and a new sporting clays tournament. These events not only offer a chance to earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) but also foster camaraderie and professional growth among surveyors. Erik underscores the importance of getting involved in chapter activities, highlighting the value of working alongside fellow surveyors to tackle challenges and share knowledge.From Prep to Recovery: Mastering the FS and CST Exams I have written another article based on a Mentoring Mondays presentation that, provides a detailed guide on preparing for the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) and Certified Survey Technician (CST) exams. The article emphasizes a proactive approach to studying, including familiarizing oneself with exam specifications, utilizing reference materials effectively, and building a personal library of resources. Trent offers practical advice on laying the foundation, conducting pre-exam prep, and mastering exam-day tactics.The guide also stresses the importance of developing helpful habits, such as creating sketches for narrative problems and ensuring answers make sense before finalizing them. I try to encourage the examinees to use their time wisely if they finish early, revisiting challenging questions to maximize their chances of success. The article concludes with post-exam strategies, including assessing performance and revising study plans for future attempts.How to Stakeout Your Own Surveying Business: Another article I have written that captures the entrepreneurial spirit of young surveyors who have taken the plunge into starting their own businesses. Five young surveyors share their journeys on a past Roundtable Tuesday session, discussing how they structured their business entities, hired support, determined which projects to pursue, and marketed their services. They highlight the importance of having a solid support system, be it through local surveyor associations, mentors, or online communities.The article also delves into the nitty-gritty details of financing a business, emphasizing the value of starting with used equipment, maintaining a good credit score, and building relationships with vendors. It concludes with practical marketing strategies, such as leveraging Google ads and maintaining an active online presence, and offers a final piece of advice from each young business owner.Final Reflections and Tributes: This edition also pays tribute to two surveyors who have left a lasting impact on the profession: John Steven %u201cSteve%u201d Parrish and Kelly Russell %u201cRusty%u201d Combest. These heartfelt memorials recount their professional achievements, personal stories, and contributions to mentoring and supporting young surveyors. They serve as poignant reminders CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE u