A generation apart, skills aligned: Father, son share professional bond in civil engineering technology

This paid piece is sponsored by Southeast Technical College.

Like father, like son. Robert Kummer and Kayden Kummer have a lot in common.

They share a love for the outdoors, like to use their analytical side in their work, and both are graduates of the civil engineering technology program at Southeast Technical College.

“I chose STC because they offered the exact program I wanted,” Kayden explained. “The application process was painless, and everyone I talked to was knowledgeable and willing to help. That really made me confident in attending.”

For both Robert and Kayden, the hands-on learning that Southeast Tech offers is invaluable.

“It was refreshing to learn in a new way after high school,” Kayden said. “Because so much of the learning is done in a hands-on way, I was able to continue my education after I graduated without getting burnt out.”

Kayden, who graduated in May with a double major in civil engineering technology and land surveying science, decided to continue his education. He is pursuing his bachelor’s degree at St. Cloud State University, which he said will give him even more options in the future.

“In about half of the states, including South Dakota, you can get a surveying license with a two-year degree. The other half of the states require a four-year degree,” Kayden explained.

“Not knowing where I will settle down or where I want to live long term, I wanted to leave my options open.”

His father, however, took a different career path.

Robert, who graduated in 1997, worked in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a survey crew chief and civil design technician until 2003, when he and his wife decided to move back to South Dakota to be closer to family.

In 2004, Robert obtained his professional surveyor’s license and worked his way up to vice president in the land services division at Ulteig Engineers. In 2013, he joined Infrastructure Design Group Inc., where he now is one of three majority partners and vice president.

These days, Robert looks at STC through the lens of an employer.

“At Southeast Tech, students get more hands-on, relatable experience. I can put my STC grads to work on day one,” Robert said. “Oftentimes, graduates from other schools need more training because they have not learned as many of the technical skills.”

So just how did these two end up in the same industry? It all started when Kayden was young.

“I took Kayden out surveying with me when he was little, and I could tell that it fit him. He’s a lot like me,” Robert said. “You need to understand the law, have math skills and utilize technology. But you also need to be OK with being outside in the mud, rain or snow, with snakes and spiders, and digging holes and carrying equipment.”

Kayden, who works as an intern at IDG during the summers, said it is interesting to see his father in a professional manner.

“It was an honor to see my dad in his career,” Kayden said. “I got to see him work outside and in the office, and I saw the respect he earned from his colleagues and the community. It is really cool.”

Another cool fact about this father-son duo: not only did they complete the same academic program and earn the same degree, but also they had one of the same teachers. Rod Breitling, a former long-time instructor in the land surveying program taught Robert when he was at STC, and Kayden was part of the last cohort of students Breitling had before retiring in the spring.

Both Kummers said their experience at Southeast Tech served them well.

“Of all the schools to go to, I think STC is one of the best, and it happens to be local,” Robert said.

To learn more about the engineering technology program at Southeast Tech, click here.