A key part of what makes UF/IFAS such a valuable resource for Floridians are the research and education centers located across our state. The West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) brought on Instructional Designer Taylor Brown over the summer, as she takes skills and lessons learned over her life and applies them to teaching others in geomatics.

Q: It looks like your path to an undergraduate degree was unusual — how did that unfold?

A: Initially, I attended college pursuing an English literature degree with the intent of teaching high school. However, my junior year I went through an extremely challenging personal experience that resulted in dropping out. At the time I had three skillsets; waiting tables, substitute teaching, and surveying. Surveying paid the best, so I spent the next six years working on transmission gas line construction in the Mid-Ohio Valley. After a covid-related layoff I figured if surveying was going to be the bit, then I needed to commit to going back to school for licensure.

I started back in the geomatics certificate program at UF as the most direct path to a pay bump while working as a party chief, then picked back up working on my bachelor’s. Anthropology was the only program that I could transfer to that was quasi-logical for my profession but didn’t put me in excess hours. So, I did that, two classes at a time, year-round at night, while digging up corners and swinging a machete during the day. I really lucked out though; anthropology is an outstanding field of study and added some fantastic new layers to think about in my land surveying practice.

Q: How did your experience in the private sector prepare you for working in county government, and then UF?

A: As the result of a pretty circuitous surveying journey and a decade of traversing different types of work, projects, places, and people I think I was set up well to deal with the public and subsequently students. Regardless of the environment, everyone just wants to know you put your pants on one leg at a time just like them. Meeting people where they’re at has been my most useful learned skillset.

Q: What led you back to UF as an instructor after starting out here for college?

A: The open geomatics specialist position at UF Milton was a hot topic amongst local surveyors for the entire duration of its existence. Local industry knew that the key to getting more local talent was going to be having a local education (option) available. I was just as keyed in, however, for a mildly more selfish reason in that I’d already decided to pursue a master’s degree and was hopeful that UF would hire a crazy smart Ph.D. that I could slowly ingratiate myself with as a foot in the door to hopefully one day teach, because that was the original goal!

I didn’t think at the time I was even qualified to apply, but a few colleagues encouraged me so I sent my resume expecting a “no thank you,” and now we’re here.

Q: What aspects of working at WFREC were easy to slide into?

A: This is my first experience in higher education, and coming from a poor-boy surveyor background, I was concerned that it would be challenging to connect with my new highbrow colleagues. However, nothing could be further from the truth! I was pleasantly surprised to find a group of insanely intelligent people that are completely committed to providing the best education they can for students. Everyone has been genuine and supportive which has made the transition that much easier.

Also, I love fun facts and working around people who are the source of fun facts is the best.

Q: Conversely, what’s been challenging?

A: There’s a lot of paperwork in the academia world. I’d gotten a taste of that sentiment working at Santa Rosa County, but it’ll take a while to have a good understanding of all the rules, regulations, and procedures.

Q: What parts of WFREC do you enjoy most?

A: The time I have gotten to spend with students has been the most enjoyable for me. When you’re in a production field role for a long time it’s easy to be out in the field standing in a swamp boiling alive with the bugs and forget that that’s the fun part. Students are still excited about the work, and that eagerness is infectious.  

Additionally, as fifth-generation from the panhandle of Florida, I take deep pride in being able to support my local community in my role here at WFREC. 

And as mentioned before, it’s fun-fact city around here.

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