A Tyler Junior College program is preparing students for specialized careers in land surveying, leading to positions with significant earning potential in East Texas and beyond. One graduate, Nathan, used the TJC Surveying and Geomatics Program to transition from a business career into his current role as a Senior Project Manager and Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) at Topographic in Tyler.
The TJC Surveying and Geomatics Program teaches students the fundamental elements required of a land surveyor. The curriculum emphasizes boundary surveying, including the history and legal principles of boundary location, evaluation of property corners, land description, calculation of land areas, and the use of the Texas Coordinate System, computer mapping, and geographic information systems. Graduates can enter the field as survey technicians, with potential annual earnings in Texas ranging from $36,000 to $80,000. State-licensed Registered Professional Land Surveyors (RPLS) can earn $86,000 to $165,000 or more annually.
Nathan, who had previously attended TJC in 2008 and 2009, returned to the college in 2016 after realizing his initial career in business, despite a four-year degree, was not fulfilling. He decided to pursue surveying, a field he discovered through a part-time job during business school. Aware of TJC's reputation for its surveying program from previous interactions with alumni, he committed fully to the change. He quit his job to re-enroll, undertaking a demanding academic schedule of 18 hours in his first semester and 21 hours in his second, all while working 30 hours per week.
He credits the unwavering support and extensive knowledge of faculty members like Willace Johnson and Patti Williams from the Surveying Program for helping him manage the rigorous demands. Nathan recalled their patience and willingness to take extra time to ensure students understood complex concepts.
Initially, Nathan considered pursuing a basic certificate to continue field work on a surveying crew. However, his engagement with the program motivated him to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surveying and Mapping Technology. A critical networking opportunity arose from a TJC-sponsored field trip to the Texas Society of Professional Land Surveyors annual convention. There, Nathan connected with professionals from Topographic, which ultimately led to his current position at the company’s Tyler office.
In his role as an RPLS and Senior Project Manager, Nathan serves as a state-licensed expert who defines and certifies land boundaries, creates legal descriptions, and maps land features for construction, legal, and engineering projects. RPLS professionals are legally authorized to offer professional land surveying services to the public, ensuring accuracy and compliance with state laws.
Nathan states that the knowledge and skills gained from Tyler Junior College prepared him for “immediate success and employment,” enabling him to be ready for work on “day one” without significant additional instruction. He also noted the program's emphasis on group work, which fostered peer learning and developed his leadership capabilities, allowing him to serve as a mentor to colleagues. Nathan encourages anyone considering a career in surveying to explore the TJC program, citing its direct contribution to his professional success and the comfortable life it provides for his family.
