Today we’d like to introduce you to Lance Soders.
Hi Lance, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story is very unique. I was raised by two wonderful parents, James and Gayle Soders, who instilled in me values that set me apart from others. They raised me to be a God-fearing man—a man of integrity with a servant’s attitude.
My journey began as I followed the American Dream. I went to college and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, I received a job with S&B Engineers, and at that point in my life, I knew I was on the right path. I bought a house and began building what I believed would be my future.
Then reality hit in 2008 when the market crashed. I found myself out of work, and the savings I had quickly dwindled. My father, who at the time was a principal in Fort Bend ISD, encouraged me to get certified in education. My first response was, “Heck no. I don’t want to teach anyone’s kids—I’m an engineer.”
Needless to say, I listened—and thank God I did—because I could not find a job. As soon as I received my teaching certification, I went on one interview and was hired immediately. A Black male teacher who loved math was a rarity, and that began my journey in education.
Honestly, I did well. In my first year, I had the highest passing rate on the STAAR Math exam. Yet something inside me wasn’t fulfilled. After three years, I decided to try returning to engineering. I was blessed with a job at Eagleton Engineering (Jacobs Engineering), but after two years the company lost projects and I was laid off.
I was blessed again when I received an opportunity at Ref-Chem. I knew I had finally found a home. I advanced from Project Engineer to Assistant Project Manager and was prepared to stay there long term. Unfortunately, I came to realize that the oil and gas industry is volatile, and loyalty or job security is never guaranteed. Once again, I found myself searching for work.
That led me to a recruiting agency called The Rowland Group. Like many candidates, I was told, “Your résumé looks great, and you have 6–7 years of experience, but they’re looking for someone with eight.” I laughed, and in that moment I asked, “How can I do what you do?”
He replied, “You’re an engineer—why would you want to recruit?”
I told him, “I didn’t ask you that. I want to know how I can recruit.”
He called Debbie, the owner, and she flew in from Tulsa to meet me. Once we met, she believed in me and offered to teach me how to recruit. I jumped in and immediately found success, becoming one of the top recruiters at The Rowland Grouo.
A few years later, the economy shifted and I was let go again. One of the engineers I had recruited heard about it and introduced me to a woman in Pennsylvania who owned her own company and needed someone connected to the oil and gas industry. She flew me out and hired me on the spot. We hit the ground running—bringing in accounts and building relationships—but once again, due to economic and financial challenges, I was let go.
At that point, the American Dream began to feel like a joke. I found myself doing contract work for a valve company, substituting at schools, and working at UPS—at the same time.
Eventually, I was pulled back into education. A mentor connected me with an opportunity in Alief ISD, and although I didn’t want to return, I went on the interview and was hired immediately. Once again, a strong male math teacher was in demand. I stayed there for a couple of years, but it was a 5th–6th grade campus, and I knew my calling was middle school.
My god-sister in Galena Park ISD offered me a position, and I followed. I initially taught science, which was easy and enjoyable, but once leadership discovered I had my own math tutoring program, they asked me to teach 7th-grade math. Reluctantly, I agreed—and we ended up increasing math scores to levels never seen before.
Despite the success and impact on students’ lives, I still had a passion for recruiting.
In 2021, tragedy struck. I lost the woman I had been dating for over two years. She had children, I had children, and I made the decision not to abandon them. Overnight, I went from two kids to seven kids. In that moment, I knew I had to increase my income.
I accepted a recruiting role with DCP Midstream and resigned from Galena Park ISD. Unfortunately, that job only lasted from October to December before I was let go. I was devastated—but I also knew everything happens for a reason.
While searching again, I saw a LinkedIn post from Rebecca at Agency 8. I messaged her and told her I was the recruiter she didn’t know she needed. She brought me in, and I have been with Agency 8 ever since.
You would think that was the end—but it wasn’t.
I was working contract, business was booming, and then the industry took another hit. I wasn’t making any money. Once again, I asked myself, “What now?” That’s when a close friend, a principal in Lamar Consolidated ISD, reached out and said, “Lance, I need you.”
At that point, I was exhausted from returning to education—but I said yes. My recruiting company allowed me to continue recruiting while teaching, and for the first time, I felt peace in both worlds.
It was at Wright Junior High where I finally learned to embrace my journey. I realized that I am both a compassionate educator and a relationship-driven recruiter. My passion is to educate people in every aspect of life. That passion has revealed my purpose: to be a bridge builder through education, networking, and service.
This realization is leading me toward the destiny God has placed on my life. This summer, I will be launching an engineering program for high school students. Colleagues from every stage of my engineering career have already committed their support.
Even though I didn’t always understand my journey—or enjoy every part of it—it was all necessary. Every setback, every transition, and every lesson shaped who I am today. And now, it is leading me to serve as a voice for others—helping those in need through education, recruiting, and purpose-driven leadership.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road but GOD has kept me on a road where the bumps and potholes did not get me off course. I have learned to trust GOD and move when GOD says move not myself.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well I am a Educator / Author / Recruiter. I am known in the education industry as a true educator and not a teacher. I believe in making sure that my students are taught the fundamentals, that lead to confidence, which ultimately allows them to have success in not only school but life.
As a Recruiter, I am a highly sought out recruiter. I not only recruit for a company that pays me, I believe in just helping people find work or utilizing my networking skills to connect them to people who can help them find work. In recruiting it is not about the money but truly bringing people joy in finding what they are looking for.
As an Author, I believe that I am the voice of mankind. In my first book Meditations After 30. I share meditations that are uplifting and help people to reflect and look at life more in Gods lens of love then there lens of self. I am big on being more selfless than selfish.
With all the skillsets and accomplishment my proudest moments are all my kids. I love being around them. I love seeing them overcome challenges. I love just being there for them in the good and the bad.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I have another book coming out soon “Puzzles” This book I believe will hit home to so many people in this day and age. We are all going through it in some shape or fashion. This book is dedicated to helping you find your passion which leads to your purpose which leads to your destiny.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meditationsafter30.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lance.soders
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-soders-1ba8b6b/
