Klein ISD New Pathway for Geospatial Engineering & Land Surveying

Klein ISD News

 October 4, 2018

New pathway promises students an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, an associate's of arts degree, a bachelor of science degree and 100% job placement. 

Klein, TX - On a cool fall Friday in Klein ISD, four high school students were greeted with cheers, balloons and presents as they were celebrated for being the first four students the Geospatial Engineering& Land Surveying pathway.

One of the newest pathways offered to Klein ISD students, Geospatial Engineering& Land Surveying provides an opportunity to explore a career path while earning college credits in high school. Students will be taught by high school teachers and industry experts, thanks to a partnership with S&V Surveying. “Isidro Garza from S&V Surveying serves on the CTE Advisory Council. It was from the Advisory that the idea of the pathway was born,” says Director of Career & Technical Education Programs, Deborah Bronner-Westerduin. “The Advisory Council plays an important role in helping us to identify pathways that are viable for students to be college and career ready.”

Upon graduation, students in the Geospatial Engineering& Land Surveying pathway will have earned an Associate of Arts degree from the Lone Star Community College system. Of the credits they’ve earned, 45 hours will transfer towards a Bachelor’s degree at a 4-year university. If they choose to attend Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, they will only need 3 years to earn a Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Engineering. An opportunity Dr. Gary Jeffress, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Professor of Geographic Science and Director of the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science, is thrilled to provide for students, “Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is excited to assist Klein ISD to introduce Geospatial Technologies into their High School Curriculum to encourage bright young minds to consider developing skills in the creation of geospatial data and information.”

Taking advantage of these dual-credit courses not only saves families money through reduced college costs, they can also rest assured the likelihood of obtaining a job immediately after graduation is certain. “Right now, some universities are seeing 100% job placement rates for their graduates,” says Bronner-Westerduin. “There is a high-demand for jobs in the industry because of the aging workforce.” Dr. Jeffress agrees, “We have seen an explosion of unfulfilled careers in the geospatial sciences, which Klein ISD is allowing students to have access to these well-paid careers and business opportunities.” Students can also look forward to earning a beginning salary ranging from $43,000 for a GIS analyst to $70,000 for land surveyors.

Current 8th and 9th grade students will have the opportunity to enroll in the Geospatial Engineering& Land Surveying pathway in January as eighth graders choose high school pathways for the 2019-2020 school year. However, there are a few prerequisites. For more information about the Geospatial Engineering& Land Surveying pathway in Klein ISD, visit www.promise2purpose.net. You can also have any of your questions about the program answered by submitting them through the website.

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The Klein Independent School District (ISD) is located in north Harris County and has more than 53,000 students in its 30 elementary, one early
childhood/pre-K center, nine intermediate, and four high schools. Visit the district online at www.kleinisd.net, and follow Klein ISD on Facebook, Twitter or
through KleINTOUCH.