THE UNEXPECTED PATH: HOW THE DISCOVERY OF SURVEYING CHANGED MY LIFE AND CAREER FOREVER.
- Jon Flowers
- Mar 12
- 6 min read
As a child, I was lucky to have parents who, despite their difficulties, remained together, setting a strong example for what I might aspire to achieve one day. Surveying wasn't a family tradition; no one had taken that path or knew much about it. I was encouraged to explore my interests as a child and developed a love for sports. Football became my first passion when I joined little league at the age of nine. I also discovered wrestling, which I pursued for four years during high school. My parents also had two other children: my older sister Dawn and my younger brother Brandon. My father worked as an Engineer with Lockheed Martin for 50 years, while my mother taught at various schools for 30 years. Both are now retired.
LEAVING THE NEST
After highschool graduation it was time to make some tough decisions. While I wanted to continue playing football, I wasnt being offered oppurtunities at universities at the D1 level that I aspired to play. This was disappointing because it felt like the end of something that I had enjoyed for almost 10 years of my life at this point. My father encouraged me to go the military, national guard, route as they would pay for college and I could walk on to any program I wanted to. I took my father's advice and joined the Military. I did basic training at Fort Jackson and advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Leanard Wood. My military experience was off to a great start as I was awarded the soildier of the cycle at Fort Jackson for discipline and leadership and my parents were there at graduation to see it all.
DISCOVERY, HARDSHIPS, AND TOUGH LESSONS
After completing my training, I relocated to Tallahassee as a single young man after being accepted to Florida A&M University. Apart from my military training, this was the first time I was away from my parents and venturing into the real world on my own. There was so much to discover and explore. The professors were incredible, and the sights, smells, and sounds were all new and welcomed experiences. This was also where I experienced my first love; it was a magical time. Unfortunately, after a while, I struggled to balance all my newfound freedoms with the responsibilities of being a full-time student, and my performance began to suffer. The stress of maintaining the facade of success was overwhelming, and it started to affect me physically and mentally. I went from an all-time high to one of the lowest points in my life. Many years passed, and I was nowhere near achieving my goal of graduating. While I wasn't the only student in this situation, it felt particularly difficult for me; I had no reason to be in this position. I had always received the love and support I needed, so why was I failing? In addition to academic disappointment, I never joined the football team, which officially closed that chapter of my life as well. The hardships even impacted my military career as I dealt with stress, mental struggles, and depression. I ended up leaving the military after fulfilling my original obligation and returned to my hometown.
SURVEYING, THE RESCUE NET THAT I DIDN'T KNOW I NEEDED.
With God's grace and my family's love, I began to heal my broken spirit and refresh my troubled mind. Returning home was humbling but necessary. After some time, I started looking for a job, contacting every engineering firm in town to find work in the engineering field, as I excelled in math and science. However, none took me seriously. Eventually, one company invited me for an interview. After a brief conversation with the engineering manager, I was told I lacked the educational background and experience for an engineering position. The manager, however, suggested I speak with the surveying manager, as they needed help in that department. That's when I met Larry Bland, the first licensed surveyor I worked for. He asked if I was afraid of snakes or water. I didn't understand why, but I must have answered well enough for him to give me a chance. I joined a crew, and for a whole week, we walked through swamps and some of the harshest environments I'd ever seen. Larry's questions started to make sense as I found myself chest-deep in murky waters, encountering more reptiles in that week than ever before. Ironically, there was beauty in the swamp. The camaraderie of working with a small group, relying on each other for safety, the ever-changing worksites, and the mental and physical challenges of completing a project were things I grew to love and enjoy. After working for the company for a while, I was encouraged to pursue a surveying license, though I didn't realize how much effort it would require. I loved the work so much that I followed the advice and began to pursue surveying at a higher level.
ITS GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR
Becoming a licensed surveyor was not going to be easy, but the first step was to obtain a degree from an accredited university. I was unsure how to achieve this given my educational background and past struggles. However, a good friend of mine, Richard Jones, who is a ranking officer in the United States military, encouraged me. He advised me not to fear rejection and to put on a suit and speak to someone at the university. I secured an appointment with Dr. Bon Dewitt, the director of the Geomatics department at the time. We met at the school and talked openly. He listened to my story and, to my surprise, wanted to give me a chance to join the program. He urged me to obtain letters of recommendation from current employers and respected community members who could vouch for my character, which I did. With those letters, Dr. Dewitt personally advocated for my admission into the program. I was accepted on a probationary basis and given the criteria to remain. I was incredibly grateful that he believed in me and was willing to give me an opportunity. I was thankful for the chance to pursue higher education once again. It wasn't easy, but this time I was determined to succeed. I met many wonderful people in the program, some of whom I still keep in touch with today. I was able to enter spaces I had never been in before and learn from some of Florida's most talented professors.
DISCOVERING YOUR DREAM CAREER
Graduating from the University of Florida launched my surveying career in a new direction. I spent time in Philadelphia learning hydrographic techniques from some amazing individuals and highly knowledgeable surveyors. I also had the opportunity to experience New Orleans, Louisiana, where I learned from some of the most innovative surveyors and excellent businessmen. One notable figure, Jimmy Chutz, exemplified a community leader, astute businessman, and accomplished surveyor. There were many more great team members and surveyors from whom I learned a lot. These experiences led to many more, some of which were not ideal, but that's life as we live and discover new pathways to success. I am incredibly thankful for all of my experiences, both good and bad. They have helped shape me into the person I am today and continue to aid my development. I hope my story can inspire someone, as I want you to know that not every path is straightforward. Not every road is paved with gold, but as we grow, learn, and experience, we develop the resilience to keep going and get back up when we fall. All these surveying experiences have taught me what I want and don't want in professional work, and I am grateful for that. I currently run my own surveying company (Repset Survey), and although it was initially challenging, it has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I love using my passion to help others achieve their goals. Seeing a project through from start to finish remains one of the most satisfying experiences. I hope this encourages someone in a tough situation to keep pushing, as surveying has done for me. It has not only supported me financially but also allowed me to support my family, including my wife and four kids. Thank you for reading some of my story; sharing it has been meaningful to me.
Comments