Unfortunatly, I think you are correct that the lack of mentors to help the younger generations of surveyors is going to get worse.
... keep your job focus and experiences broad to jump ship at anytime...I don't mean to jump ship because the ship is sinking but to jump ship because opportunity presents itself...
... if your spend your days doing endless slope staking you become a pro at that ...but you define a narrow window...it is okay for a time ....but the more spectrum inside as well as outside the profession like in your hobbies even, is what presents you multiple options to choose from and to move forward and ahead ...
But really, hasn't the work for surveyors dropped off to the point that there is 50% less surveying work to be done? This would seem that the drop in licensed surveyors would be good for the business of surveying for the companies that still offer surveying. The trick will be for the young surveyors to become good business people so that they can be adaptable to offer what is needed and make good money doing it. I see an excellent opportunity for young surveyors!
Awesome answer!:good:
it is indeed an awesome answer!, it requires a courage not to be afraid to leave a well paid place where you take shots on pipes for all your life(for example) and do not learn anything else. I did that and I do not regret, despite the fact I am making almost nothing here in Ukraine compared to what I was making by surveying in Alberta. It was a hard decision and doubts arise sometimes though.