When John Keller Hill, a senior in architectural engineering technology and an Oak Grove native, learned that the program offered a surveying option, he knew he had found the perfect sequence of courses to prepare him for the career he wanted.
Hill came to Louisiana Tech with four years of plumbing experience, and he wanted a degree to train him for a high-paying career that could be done outdoors. The Architectural Engineering Technology course also has approachable professors who have shown interest in his success – well, that’s just lagniappe.
Next fall, Hill will be one of the first graduates to earn a degree in construction engineering technology through the surveying option, which prepares students for surveying licenses, increased wages and employment opportunities in Louisiana.
“A lot of people don’t realize that the job outlook for surveyors is growing,” Hill said. “Currently, more surveyors are retiring than entering the workforce, and the need for trained surveying professionals is growing. On top of that, the surveying profession offers a variety of career paths. You can work on heavy-duty civil projects, Such as roads and bridges, survey property as a local surveyor, or fly a drone over coastal areas or large bodies of water as a hydrographic surveyor. There is potential for travel, possibly even outsourcing to different countries. Once you have a survey license, you can even Working behind a computer.”
After taking three surveying courses during his junior year, Hill landed an internship at HGA. He said that while the course had hands-on experience with measuring equipment and the technical knowledge to understand the equipment, it was the accessibility of the construction engineering technology faculty that contributed most to his success in the role.
“I want to thank Dr. [Jeff] Parker [Senior Lecturer of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Technology]gentlemen. [Reginald] Jett [Program Chair and Professional in Residence of Construction Engineering Technology]gentlemen. [J. Walter] Ballard [Adjunct Instructor of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Technology]and Dr. [Jason] Howell [Lecturer of Civil Engineering and Industrial Engineering]Hill said. “They were all very approachable and very willing to help students find internships and advise us on jobs and equipment. Their interest in my education helped me secure an internship [Hunt, Guillot & Associates] HGA and found the right educational path for me. “
Ballard, the survey manager who oversaw Hill’s internship at HGA, said he was impressed with Hill’s performance on the job.
“Kyler gained valuable experience assisting field personnel with initial calibration investigations to replace two large diameter pipes that conflicted with the planned route of the Comite River Diversion Canal in East Baton Rouge Parish,” Ballard said. “He persevered through long days and challenging conditions to quickly earn the respect of the rest of the field crew. He was eager to learn and brought energy and determination to his work every day.”
Learn more about the Construction Engineering Technology program online.