After her first year of college for a degree in psychology, Alaina Vein of Fargo, ND, realized it wasn’t the right career path for her.
The 2023 Fargo North High School graduate bravely stepped away, took a gap year, and began exploring other options. She wanted to find something that tapped into her skills and captivated her interest.
She turned to Compass to help.
Vein filled out her student profile in the online platform, adding her high school and college classes, whether she enjoyed those classes, her grades, school activities, hobbies, interests, and personality assessment results.
“The personality test made me be more honest with myself than I would have liked, but it was just a lot of simple questions,” she says with a laugh.
From there, Vein let Compass work its magic. Based on her profile input, it generated Holland Codes, which are used industry-wide to match people’s skills and interests with careers. Compass then used those codes to recommend companies, careers, and college programs for Vein.
She browsed several recommendations, coming across the Survey Technician role at Apex Engineering Group in Fargo.
“I’d never heard of that career before,” Vein says. “I read the description and loved that it was hands-on and outdoor work. I even learned what colleges I could go to and what degrees I could earn.”
Everything about the role resonated with Vein and got her excited about her future again. Following more research and talking with friends and family, she enrolled in the Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology program at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. She started her coursework this fall and will graduate in two years, ideally with internship experience and a job offer.
A hands-on program for a hands-on career
Surveyors and survey technicians use specialized equipment to collect and analyze data related to land and structures to support engineers and architects. They take measurements and document land features to provide valuable information used in design and construction. They may also work closely with other team members and mapmakers to gather and process data.
Jeff Jelinek, NDSCS associate professor and Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology program coordinator, says the role can be primarily outdoors gathering data, primarily in an office designing at a computer, or a combination of the two.
“Surveyors create or determine someone’s boundary by researching the history and using high-tech surveying equipment to determine the boundary,” he adds. “That site may turn into a subdivision, a new building going on the site, a new parking lot, etc.”
Vein loves the straightforward nature of NDSC’s program and the ability to get out in the field and practice her new skills with her classmates.
Alaina Vein (left, pictured with her mom) credits Compass with introducing her to a career in survey technology, which she is now studying at NDSCS.
“There’s no beating around the bush here,” Vein says. “You jump straight into your surveying classes and soon start practicing with equipment. We learn something, and then we go do it. It’s very hands-on.”
She loves it.
Jelinek says Vein’s enthusiasm and joy for the program are infectious.
“She is full of life and excited to learn,” Jelinek says. “She told me after a week being on campus that she had already made good friends in the program, which makes learning more fun. She is also excited about learning by doing and preparing for a career that allows her to work outside.”
Former NDSCS Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Lisa Karch says welcoming a student like Vein, who has just discovered a passion for a field she never knew existed, is what NDSCS is all about.
“When a student arrives eager to learn, inspired by a career connection made through Compass, it energizes our faculty and reinforces why partnerships like this matter,” Karch says. “Each story like Alaina’s reminds us that education is not one-size-fits-all—it’s about discovery, opportunity, and belonging.”
An eye-opening experience
During her two years at NDSCS, Vein will be exposed to multiple survey employers. Golden Path Solutions is also personally introducing her to Apex, giving her an opportunity to connect with the company that inspired her journey.
Opportunities like this are exactly why Apex has partnered with Golden Path for several years.
“Through this partnership, we’ve provided job shadowing opportunities and hosted field trips where students can tour local civil engineering projects,” says Lisa Markert, Apex human resources manager. “Because civil engineering is a highly competitive field, having the chance to engage early with students who are curious about surveying and engineering has been both meaningful and rewarding.”
Karch agrees that these connections through Compass are making an impact.
“Together, we are building pathways that not only change individual lives but also help meet North Dakota’s growing workforce needs in critical industries,” she says. “It’s inspiring to see technology and collaboration come together to help students find where they belong and where they can thrive.”
Vein is thankful she turned to Compass for help with her career decision-making and found the Apex Career Profile.
“It was very eye-opening for me,” she says. “It showed me everything I needed it to show me. If it wasn’t for Compass, I wouldn’t be here. I’m really glad I got the chance to use it and discover a career that fits me.”
For more information about how Compass can help students discover their bright futures, contact Golden Path Solutions.
Parents: Find out how Golden Path and Compass can support your teen as they plan for their future.