PLSO The Oregon Surveyor Sept/Oct 2019

27 Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon | www.plso.org OrYSN Corner I know the OrYSN has been a bit quiet this year, but I wanted to assure you that we are still here and getting things done! One of the organization’s goals this year is to establish a liaison from each PLSO chapter. We believe that this would help us have a better line of com- munication between the OrYSN and the PLSO chapters. If you know of someone in your chapter that might be interest- ed please have them reach out to me, or we can reach out to them. If you do not have any young surveyors attending your meetings then it would be great if you could recruit any young geospatial professionals that you know. Invite them to a meeting and buy them dinner. Currently, we have some fantastic mem- bers in the OrYSN. Nick Lafond was one of the first members to join the OrYSN. He started college at Oregon Tech, where he studied hardware engineering. As a teen he was really sure that he wanted to do something with computers and maybe work for Intel. After the glories of staring at a computer writing code all day faded, his interest was piqued when he attend- ed a career fair at Oregon Tech. While at the career fair he noticed the “Geomatics Engineering” sign over a booth and was instantly curious. After Jack Walker ex- plained Geomatics and Land Surveying to him, he was hooked. Who could turn down computers, lasers, and GPS?! After promptly switching majors, he graduat- ed from Oregon Tech in ‘08 with a B.S. in Land Surveying. While Nick was at Oregon Tech, he had two different internships. One was on a field crew in Klamath Falls and the other was an office technician job in Sacra- mento. Recently, Nick accepted a Project Surveyor position at Pacific Community Design in Tigard. He is very excited about working with other surveying, engineer- ing, planners, and landscape architect professionals that he will be working with to develop large residential and commer- cial projects. One of the things that keeps himmost interested in surveying is how no two jobs are the same and you are constantly having to find clever or effi- cient ways to solve problems. “It’s funny how sometimes your biceps are the best tool and other times it’s your brain; that balance keeps the job fresh.” Nick also believes that protecting the profession and selling the dream to our youth are two of the biggest challenges that the surveying profession faces. In Nick’s spare time he enjoys playing chess and hanging with friends. He also works hard on being a good husband and parent. His family has a doberman that they enjoy taking out for hikes and walks. In his future he doesn’t really see a career outside of land surveying. The OrYSN is lucky to have such an engaged and passionate member! x One of the things that keeps him most interested in surveying is how no two jobs are the same and you are constantly having to find clever or efficient ways to solve problems. “It’s funny how sometimes your biceps are the best tool and other times it’s your brain; that balance keeps the job fresh.” Nick also believes that protecting the profession and selling the dream to our youth are two of the biggest challenges that the surveying profession faces. Pictured to the left: Nick LaFond and his family at the beach.