Nathan, an alumnus of Tyler Junior College, has transitioned to a successful career as a Senior Project Manager/Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) at Topographic's Tyler office, attributing his "immediate success and employment" to the college's Surveying and Geomatics Program. After completing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surveying and Mapping Technology from TJC, Nathan secured his position, finding professional fulfillment after an earlier career path did not align with his aspirations.
The TJC Surveying and Geomatics Program provides comprehensive training for land surveying careers. It teaches students essential elements required of a land surveyor, with a focus on boundary surveying. The curriculum includes the history and legal principles of boundary location, methods for evaluating property corners, techniques for describing land, and calculations for land areas. Students also learn to use the Texas Coordinate System, computer mapping, and geographic information systems.
Graduates of the program can pursue roles as survey technicians, with annual salaries in Texas ranging from $36,000 to $80,000. For those who become Registered Professional Land Surveyors (RPLS), annual earnings can range from $86,000 to $165,000 or more. An RPLS is a state-licensed expert, authorized by law to offer professional land surveying services to the public, specializing in determining and certifying land boundaries, creating legal descriptions, and mapping land features for various projects.
Nathan's journey to this career involved a deliberate return to education. Though he had completed his freshman year at TJC in 2008 and 2009, he initially pursued a four-year business degree. After graduating, he found himself unhappy in that field and realized his true interest lay in surveying, a field he had been exposed to through a part-time job during business school. He recalled that surveying professionals he knew had attended the TJC program, leading him to believe it was "the best program."
In 2016, Nathan made the decision to leave his job and return to TJC to fully commit to surveying studies. He enrolled in an intensive schedule, taking 18 hours in his first semester and 21 hours in his second, all while maintaining a 30-hour-a-week job. He credits the dedicated TJC faculty, specifically Willace Johnson and Patti Williams from the Surveying Program, for their patience, knowledge, and willingness to provide individualized support. He stated that he would not be where he is without their guidance.
Initially, Nathan considered earning a basic certificate and continuing field work. However, as he progressed through the program, he decided to pursue the Associate of Applied Science degree. A significant opportunity arose during a TJC-sponsored field trip to the Texas Society of Professional Land Surveyors annual convention, where he met individuals from Topographic. This interaction ultimately led to his current role with the firm in Tyler.
Nathan stated that the knowledge and skills acquired at TJC prepared him to start work "day one" without extensive additional instruction. He also noted that the program’s emphasis on group work fostered skills beyond technical expertise, leading him to become a mentor among his peers in professional settings. This confidence, he explained, came directly from the TJC program.
He encourages anyone considering a career in surveying to explore TJC’s Surveying and Geomatics program, emphasizing its contribution to his professional success and his ability to provide a comfortable life for his family. The program remains available for those interested in pursuing a career in surveying.
