The Oregon Surveyor July/August 2018

8 The Oregon Surveyor  | Vol. 41, No. 4 OrYSN Corner F or the fourth year in a row, the land surveying profession was represent- ed at the Oregon Tradeswomen’s Annual Career Fair which was held May 18 and 19 in Northeast Portland at the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center. Oregon Tradeswomen is a non-profit group dedicated to promoting success for women in the trades through educa- tion, leadership, andmentorship and was founded in 1989 by four tradeswomen. The Career Fair, in its 26th year, turned the parking lot into a tree climbing, ma- sonry, welding, plumbing, and electric pole climbing playground for young girls and women to explore all that the trades have to offer. Although land surveying, as we all know, is not a trade, it is a great event to showcase all that our wonderful profession has to offer. Over 2,000 women attended this year making the event a great success. Fri- day, middle and high school girls traveled by bus, train, or car to see what career choices the trades have to offer. Satur- day is open to the public and regional community centers shipped in women to explore future occupation opportunities. Schools from the entire Pacific Northwest were present: from Bellevue, WA to Ash- land, OR and from Pendleton, OR to the coastal towns. For some, this was even the second year in a row they attended wanting to be sure to experience all that the Fair had to offer. This year both BPA and ODOT brought land surveying equipment, ranging from metal detectors to laser scanners for par- ticipants to try out. We explained themany career paths land surveying has to offer, including technical and professional op- tions, as well as the possible education tracks leading to those careers. On Satur- day, many women were interested in the possibility of doing a ride-along through the mentorship program of PLSO. I spoke with many women and girls over the course of the two days and for some, the combination of technology, math, and working outdoors was a perfect fit. For others, it was great to see that they were inspired by one of the many other trades that were present. My satisfaction came from seeing the young women inspired by the sheer number of tradeswomen representing their respective careers and realizing that they could be anything they want to be when they grow up. We all know that land surveying is not very diversified; I believe the adage is ‘pale, male, and stale.’ I think adding more women to the workforce would benefit us all. Having PLSO members advocate to women of all ages at events like this will hopefully attract potential profession- als and technicians and grow our small pool of future land surveyors. I look for- ward to proudly representing the land surveying profession at this event for years to come. x The Oregon Tradeswomen’s Annual Career Fair By Kelly Miller, RLS, EIT