Nathan, a graduate of the Tyler Junior College (TJC) Surveying and Geomatics program, now serves as a Senior Project Manager/RPLS at Topographic’s Tyler office. He credits the TJC program with equipping him for “immediate success and employment” in a career that provides a comfortable life. Professionals in this field can see substantial earnings, with survey technicians in Texas making between $36,000 and $80,000 annually, and Registered Professional Land Surveyors (RPLS) earning $86,000 to $165,000 or more.
A Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) is a state-licensed expert who determines and certifies land boundaries, crafts legal descriptions, and maps land features for various projects including construction, legal, and engineering work. These professionals ensure accuracy and compliance with legal statutes and are the sole individuals legally authorized to provide professional land surveying services to the public.
Nathan's path to this career began with an early exposure to surveying during a part-time job while in business school. Despite earning a four-year business degree and pursuing that career, he found himself unhappy and constantly thinking about his enjoyment of surveying. Recalling a positive freshman year experience at TJC in 2008 and 2009, and learning about its surveying program from colleagues in the Brazos Valley, Nathan recognized the quality of TJC's offerings. He considered the program the best available.
In 2016, Nathan made a significant career change, deciding to quit his job and return to TJC to pursue his dream of becoming a surveyor. He committed fully, taking 18 hours in his first semester and 21 hours in his second, all while working 30 hours a week. He emphasized the crucial support he received from dedicated TJC faculty members, specifically Willace Johnson and Patti Williams from the Surveying Program. He described them as patient and knowledgeable instructors who were always willing to provide extra time and explanation when needed, crediting them significantly for his current professional standing.
The TJC Surveying and Geomatics Program provides students with the fundamental elements required of a land surveyor. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on boundary surveying, incorporating historical context, legal principles of boundary location, methods for evaluating property corners, techniques for describing land, calculations of land areas, and the use of the Texas Coordinate System, computer mapping, and geographic information systems.
Initially, Nathan considered earning a basic certificate and continuing field work. However, his engagement with the program inspired him to pursue the full Associate of Applied Science degree in Surveying and Mapping Technology. A pivotal moment in his academic journey was an encounter at the Texas Society of Professional Land Surveyors annual convention, a field trip sponsored by TJC. It was there that he met representatives from Topographic, exchanged information, and eventually secured his current position.
Nathan asserts that the knowledge and skills he gained at TJC prepared him for his career. Beyond initial job placement, Nathan noted that the program’s emphasis on group work fostered an environment where students learned from their peers. This experience cultivated confidence, enabling him to step into his new role as a mentor to colleagues who lacked the same specialized knowledge.
He strongly recommends TJC’s Surveying and Geomatics program to anyone considering a career in surveying. Nathan expresses gratitude for his experience, stating that the program significantly contributed to his professional success and his ability to provide for his family.
