We see this post on the Facebook forums daily: “I am getting ready to take the FS/PS CST, etc exam. What resources are available?” Join Dane Courville and Trent Keenan for this helpful discussion!
Helpful links:
For those technicians looking to advance in their careers, below are a few links to get you started.
Illinois – Survey Tech Training video series! (A GREAT resource!)
https://surveytechtraining.talentlms.com/plus/external-catalog
For those that are ready to take the FS/PS Exam – Below are some helpful links.
Western Federation of Professional Surveyors
https://wfps.org/CourvilleSeminars.html
NLC Prep
Geo-Learn
| Meeting summary for Mentoring Mondays for the Land Surveying Profession (09/16/2024) | |
| Quick recap | |
| The team discussed the importance of continuous learning in surveying, sharing experiences with various exams and resources for professional development. They addressed workforce challenges, emphasizing the need to retain and train existing workers. The meeting also covered the progress of their learning program and strategies for exam preparation. | |
| Next steps | |
| • Dane to send Oregon exam study materials to Trent, Robert, and Kyle. | |
| • Trent to compile a list of all resources discussed in the meeting for studying and exam preparation. | |
| • Jerry to update his website with a reading list of surveying-related books. | |
| • Trent to create a CST Tuesday or Thursday format for regular study sessions. | |
| • Trent to follow up on creating a packet to help retain and train existing workforce. | |
| • Kyle to continue providing daily survey questions to his subscribers. | |
| • Chris to continue developing state-specific exam preparation materials for Nlc Prep. | |
| • Trent to save and share all links and resources mentioned in the chat. | |
| Summary | |
| Correcting Names and Discussing Skiing Experiences | |
| The meeting involved a discussion about a participant’s name, which was initially misspelled. The issue was resolved when Trent corrected it. The conversation then shifted to the topic of skiing and snow reports. Trent mentioned that they might be close to receiving snow reports in about six weeks. george shared his experience of skiing down Mount Shasta, while Trent expressed his preference for skiing at Whitney. The group also discussed the dangers of skiing and the adrenaline rush it provides. | |
| Progress and Experiences With PLS and Surveying Tests | |
| The team discussed the progress of a meeting with 79 registered participants, aiming for 50% attendance. They also discussed the California PLS test, with Laurie expressing interest in taking it in April, assuming she can get enough references. Dane shared his experience with the Texas test, describing it as dry and difficult. Nicholas then shared his positive experience with Dane’s manual for the Fundamentals of Surveying exam, which he found helpful in preparing for the test. | |
| Progress and Importance of Continuous Learning | |
| Trent discussed the progress of their learning program, noting that they were close to the 50% mark of those signed up. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning in the field of surveying, citing the abundance of resources available. Trent highlighted various resources, including the Learn CST program, Jerry’s website, and the Illinois Survey Technician Training Program. Dane was set to discuss his FS program, while Trent also mentioned the importance of networking. Dane added that all the presentations from the mentoring Mondays were available on YouTube. | |
| Book on Surveying and Study Materials Discussion | |
| Dane discussed his book on surveying, which is available on Amazon and his website. He mentioned that the second edition outsells the third edition, but the third edition is more up-to-date. Dane also offered discounts for bulk purchases and study groups. He is licensed in Texas and Oregon and has compiled extensive study material for the Oregon State-specific exam. Dane also mentioned a 16-hour study course and manual available through the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors. He emphasized that his manual covers every topic needed to pass the Fundamentals of Surveying exam. Trent and Chris were also present, with Chris set to discuss NLC Prep. | |
| Improving Test-Taking Skills and Surveying Knowledge | |
| Dane emphasized the importance of confidence, test-taking skills, and knowledge of surveying material for passing a test. He recommended studying through exam questions and using a book called “1,000 and One Fundamental Survey” to prepare. Dane also stressed the need for a good test-taking approach, including carefully reading questions, eliminating poor options, and using rationale to select the correct answer. Dane and Trent discussed strategies for studying and preparing for a test, with Dane suggesting setting a goal of doing a certain number of questions each night and focusing on areas of difficulty. george added that it’s beneficial to answer the questions one is comfortable with first, and then return to the more difficult ones. Dane shared a personal experience of a test question that required him to remember the number of errors in a paragraph, and how he later found the answer in another question. The team agreed that keeping challenging questions in mind and revisiting them later can provide valuable clues. | |
| Pipeline Surveying Course and NLC Prep Resources | |
| Dane discussed his extensive knowledge in pipeline surveying and the continuing education course he developed with Chris, which is now available. He offered his services for conferences, particularly targeting young surveyors, and mentioned that he has 13 courses ready to present. Dane and Trent discussed various topics, including a test question Dane saw on LinkedIn and the NLC Prep resources. Trent mentioned that Chris would talk about the NLC Prep resources and then they would discuss with Kyle. Dane also mentioned a test question he saw on LinkedIn as a perfect example of reading into a question. Trent expressed his appreciation for Jerry’s contributions to the NLC Prep resources. Chris was then asked to share the screen to discuss the NLC Prep resources further. | |
| Test Preparation Materials and Pricing Discussion | |
| Chris from NLC Prep discussed the test preparation materials they offer for the fundamentals of surveying principles and practices. He outlined their pricing structure, which includes a month-to-month subscription, an online course, a hard copy practice exam, and a combo package. Chris also mentioned that they are working on state-specific materials for various states. Jerry, another team member, added that they have redesigned their exam to reflect current standards and specifications, and it randomly draws questions from a pool to simulate the actual exam. Trent asked about one-on-one coaching, which Chris explained as assistance with state-specific requirements and resources. | |
| Exam Experiences and Preparation Strategies | |
| Trent, Robert, and george discussed their experiences with the FS and PS exams. Robert found Tony’s study program helpful, while Trent suggested taking the CST exams as precursors. george, who has been away from the exams for 40 years, expressed his surprise at being chosen for a committee to help rewrite new questions and his uncertainty about passing it now. He emphasized the importance of seeking mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals. Martina shared her experience of taking the CST exam, recommending it for both licensed and non-licensed professionals. Ron asked about the abbreviations FS and PS, which Trent explained as the Fundamentals of Surveying exam and the Principles and Practices of Surveying exam respectively. Ron expressed his desire to help some individuals in California obtain a license, specifically mentioning the FS list. Trent confirmed that the discussion was relevant to Ron’s query and assured him that he and Dane would compile a list of resources after the meeting. | |
| Workforce Development Challenges and Solutions | |
| Ron, Trent, Kyle, Dane, Robert, Janelle, and Summer discussed workforce development challenges, particularly in California. Trent emphasized the importance of retaining and training existing workers, while Ron expressed concern about the profession’s decline. Kyle shared his daily practice of sending out questions and his efforts to create California-specific material. Dane revealed his use of Kyle’s question as a daily icebreaker and requested Robert Moore’s email for Oregon data. Trent discussed the Geo Learn platform and the possibility of an online study group for the CST exam, but noted the challenge of finding a suitable time zone. Dane shared information about an upcoming online study group for the FS exam. The group also discussed the administration of CST exams and the issue of employee poaching. | |
| Effective Study Techniques and Montessori Method | |
| Dane shared his technique for studying and retaining information from textbooks. He explained that he reads the text, writes a summary of each paragraph in the margins, and uses color to highlight important information. This method allows him to quickly locate specific information during exams. Dane also mentioned that this technique is similar to the Montessori teaching method, which uses multiple senses to embed information in the brain. Trent and george added to the discussion, sharing their own methods of using tabs and writing in the margins to aid in studying. They all agreed that using multiple senses and tactile skills can greatly improve retention of information. | |
| Active Learning and Resource Utilization | |
| Jerry emphasized the importance of active learning and not just reviewing material for exams. He suggested that if someone is learning new material for the first time, they are too far back and need additional education. Jerry also recommended using resources like the Brown book and the Bureau of Land Management’s library of materials for learning. | |
| Professional Development Resources and Opportunities | |
| Trent led a discussion on various resources and opportunities for professional development. He mentioned the Public Land Survey System Foundation’s online library and the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors’ library, which includes a mineral survey. He also highlighted Jeff Lucas’s newsletter, which reviews court cases, and the Lucas Pincushion Effect for Wisdom Wednesdays. Trent encouraged everyone to share their resources and contact information on a Google Doc created by Jerry. He also mentioned that he would save all the information from the chat for future reference. Dane offered to answer any questions and shared his spreadsheets on public land. Trent and Dane encouraged everyone to reach out to them for further assistance. | |
| AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy. | |
