Expand Your Horizons!

I am looking forward to another year serving the community of the Coordinate Metrology Society. I would like to encourage our metrology membership to revel in your accomplishments, and expand your horizons in 2020 by taking on something new. Every year the CMS strives to expand its content, membership reach, and offerings. We should all take a page from this organization’s dedication to taking on new challenges for the betterment of our metrology discipline.

Certification is one way to enhance your career and to verify your knowledge and expertise. There are two levels of professional certification. The CMS Level-One Certification is a knowledge-based, proctored assessment for portable and traditional CMMs. The CMS Level-Two Certifications is a performance-based assessment of the individual’s competency in their usage of laser trackers, articulating arms, scanners, or traditional CMMs. These exams are provided by CMS-approved proctors and sites, and also given during the annual conference.

The Coordinate Metrology Society is made up of volunteers who have a passion for metrology and its community of users. I started attending the Coordinate Metrology Society Conference in 2009. I was immediately drawn to the society and what it had to offer. After that conference, I knew I wanted to be involved. I encourage all of our members to consider volunteering in any capacity. You can be involved in the planning of the conference, give input on the content and the direction of the agenda, and help to shape the 2020 event to be held in New Orleans.

You can also expand your horizons by mentoring a co-worker. We have all started in a new position or at a new company. Take the time to help your fellow metrologists and give them guidance. Pay it forward. Give them the support that you had, or would have appreciated in that position. Mentoring passes on your knowledge and skills, and also provides socialization and personal support for success. It also offers a channel of communication for feedback and technical discussions.

If there is a STEM program in your backyard, get involved and help educate bright minds and future generations. Nurture these students that are getting involved early in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields. Share your own story to inspire students about your STEM-related career, and open their eyes to the relevance of STEM in everyday life. In short, pass on your passion for metrology onto others with similar interests.

We are all very busy focusing on our careers, but if we spend a little time expanding our horizons, we can improve our lives and our vital industry. Mark your calendars now for the 36^th annual CMSC in New Orleans, July 20–24, 2020.

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