Nathan, a graduate of Tyler Junior College’s (TJC) Surveying and Geomatics Program, now holds the position of Senior Project Manager/RPLS in the Tyler office of Topographic, a national full-service design, land surveying, engineering, and environmental consulting firm. He reports that the knowledge and skills acquired at TJC prepared him for immediate success and employment, enabling him to begin work from day one without extensive instruction. In Texas, Registered Professional Land Surveyors (RPLS) can earn between $86,000 and $165,000 annually, or more, while survey technicians typically make $36,000 to $80,000 per year.
The TJC Surveying and Geomatics Program instructs students in the fundamental elements required of a land surveyor, with a strong emphasis on boundary surveying. The curriculum includes historical context, legal principles governing boundary location, methods for evaluating property corners, techniques for describing land, calculations of land areas, and the practical application of the Texas Coordinate System, computer mapping, and geographic information systems.
Nathan initially completed his freshman year at TJC in 2008 and 2009 before relocating from Tyler to finish a business degree. His familiarity with TJC's surveying program grew while he was working part-time on a survey crew in the Brazos Valley, where he learned that many of his colleagues had also completed the TJC program. Nathan described TJC's offering as the "best program" he knew in the field.
Despite pursuing a career path that aligned with his four-year business degree, Nathan found himself dissatisfied and consistently thought about his enjoyment of surveying. Reflecting on his positive prior experience at TJC and the professional skills he observed in its graduates, he made the decision to leave his job and return to school.
Nathan reentered TJC in 2016, committing to an intensive academic schedule. He enrolled for 18 hours in his first semester and 21 hours in his second, all while maintaining a 30-hour-a-week job. He credited the unwavering support of TJC faculty members, specifically Willace Johnson and Patti Williams from the Surveying Program, as vital to his ability to manage this challenge. Nathan noted their patience and extensive knowledge, highlighting their willingness to dedicate time to explain concepts he found difficult.
Initially, Nathan considered pursuing a basic certificate to continue field work. However, as he progressed deeper into the program, he decided to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surveying and Mapping Technology. This goal was further solidified by an important encounter during a TJC-sponsored field trip to the Texas Society of Professional Land Surveyors annual convention. At the convention, Nathan met representatives from Topographic and exchanged contact information, an interaction that ultimately led to his current job and career.
In his role as a Senior Project Manager/RPLS, Nathan is now a state-licensed expert. An RPLS is legally authorized to provide professional land surveying services to the public, focusing on determining and certifying land boundaries, crafting legal descriptions, and mapping land features for various construction, legal, and engineering projects, thereby ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
Beyond just securing his desired job, Nathan states that his experiences at TJC have been instrumental in his professional excellence. He explained that the TJC Surveying Program incorporates significant group work, which fostered learning from peers and prepared him for collaborative professional settings. He observed that when applying classroom knowledge to real-world situations, he frequently worked with individuals who lacked his specific expertise, leading him to naturally become a mentor and a go-to person for questions. This confidence, he noted, was a direct result of the program.
Nathan encourages anyone considering surveying as a career to seriously explore TJC’s Surveying and Geomatics program. He affirms its direct contribution to his professional success, the satisfaction he derives from his work, and the comfortable life it provides for him and his family. He expressed profound gratitude for his experience and time at TJC, stating he would not have achieved his current position without it.
