DALLAS, PA. — Surveying engineering students, faculty, industry professionals and other members of the campus community had the opportunity to network, connect and celebrate the national recognition Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s surveying engineering program received during a recent event on campus.
The event began with a continental breakfast and introduction to the day’s activities by Interim Director of Academic Affairs Agnès Kim, who highlighted the value of collaboration between higher education and the business community.
The Surveying Career Summit followed, where students currently enrolled in the two- and four-year surveying engineering programs at Penn State Wilkes-Barre met industry professionals to get a sense of their work and specializations within the surveying profession and learn about internships and career opportunities. This was the second Surveying Career Summit the campus has hosted.
Participating organizations were from across the state, including Barry Isett & Associates Inc., Keystone Precision Solutions, HRG Inc., JHA Companies, Popli Design Group (PDG), RETTEW, RHEA, Susquehanna Civil Inc., and Verdantas.
For Joshua Kishbaugh, who is in his second year of the four-year surveying engineering program, networking during the career fair was a highlight.
“The benefits that experiences like this have on my education and future goals are plentiful,” said Kishbaugh. “They provide employment opportunities, advice from current professionals, allow students to make great connections, and so much more.”
Kishbaugh completed an internship this past summer at Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. and was able to reconnect with his past supervisor during his time at the career summit, he said.
“Due to the shortage of surveyors and the high industry demand for surveyors, it is important for students to engage with networking and explore the best options for them ahead of the summer season,” added Dimitrios Bolkas, associate professor of surveying engineering at the campus. “Typically, our students secure a paid summer internship and graduating students have a job offer before graduation.”
After the career fair and a networking lunch, an award presentation was held in the campus’ Nesbitt Academic Commons, honoring Penn State Wilkes-Barre as the recipient of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying’s 2025 Surveying Education Award, for which the grand prize was $25,000 in the four-year program category. Bolkas received the award on behalf of the program.
“This award is a testament to the great work of our surveying engineering faculty in delivering a high-quality program for our students,” said Interim Regional Chancellor Durell Johnson. “The day was about celebrating this national success as well as the future successes of our students who were provided an opportunity to network with industry professionals and build important connections — all in support of their career goals.”