Best Careers 2009: Landscape Architect

My goodness...

Actually I am one of the 6% employed by the Gov't. I used to be one of the 20% with my owned shop, but the economy destroyed that in 2008. Second-generation LA, with 20+ years of experience; A pro at AutoCAD, GIS, VRM, Planning, HUGE Development projects under my belt, plus lots more stuff. 2 (business & personal) bankruptcies later, and I still couldn't fish my private career out of the crapper.

So, off to the Federal Gov't for a respite from beating the phone to death trying to find work and keep my staff of 5 employed. I'd call anybody & everybody I knew and didn't know, hoping things would get better...They didn't.

I've talked to some of my other "older" LAs who've already gone bust, or are about to. You can't practice your craft if your living on the street. These other LAs envy me; I envy me. So now I sit, 500 miles from my wife & kids, in a remote Federal office, neck-deep in a tangled maze of Federal Regulations, trying to build some "rinky-dink" ($12M) ARRA project, and I wished I'd gotten a degree in Business or Finance, instead.

Now I understand what my Dot-Com college buddies went through a few years back. Will it turn around? Yeah; 2012. All-in-all, I am SO thankful I have a job!!

Alan of UT @ Oct 30, 2009 16:46:09 PM

rather mechanistic

This overview of the field is sad. U.S. News belies their libertarian slant as they reference the gov't. (while true I am an avid environmentalist as is every LA I know).

US News, maybe i should look but you are sounding more like a Fox owned entity (thats entity not news source)

scudgeon of KS @ Oct 18, 2009 18:40:25 PM

jobs now?

Just FYI, having just received my master's degree in landscape architecture: good luck finding a job in this economy. Next to impossible. Maybe it will improve in a few years.

forest of NM @ Oct 15, 2009 14:36:45 PM

American Architect Writes Fun Book about Doing Business in China.

“The Tragic Kingdom, or; “Prisoner in a Chinese Theme Park”, (found on all bookstore websites such as amazon.com, borders, etc), is a behind-the-scenes look into the field of design and build in China. The book is a profile of the personalities, culture, and psychology of the world’s most massive looming superpower as seen through the eyes of an ex-pat American.

I have witnessed a formidable decade in which China has commanded a modern presence on the world stage and have participated in the planning, designing, and building of mega-theme parks in Beijing, world-class aquariums in Shanghai, gigantic malls in the Pearl Delta, resorts in Tibet, and panda relocation projects in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The stories and themes found in The Tragic Kingdom spring from one man’s journey. At the same time I believe they disclose truths about a globalization that eventually will impact every economy, lifestyle, and person on the planet.

Broc of CA @ Sep 29, 2009 18:22:39 PM

American Landscape Architect Writes Fun Book about Doing Business in China.

“The Tragic Kingdom, or; “Prisoner in a Chinese Theme Park”, (found on all bookstore websites such as amazon.com, borders, etc), is a behind-the-scenes look into the field of design and build in China. The book is a profile of the personalities, culture, and psychology of the world’s most massive looming superpower as seen through the eyes of an ex-pat American.

I have witnessed a formidable decade in which China has commanded a modern presence on the world stage and have participated in the planning, designing, and building of mega-theme parks in Beijing, world-class aquariums in Shanghai, gigantic malls in the Pearl Delta, resorts in Tibet, and panda relocation projects in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The stories and themes found in The Tragic Kingdom spring from one man’s journey. At the same time I believe they disclose truths about a globalization that eventually will impact every economy, lifestyle, and person on the planet.

Broc Smith of CA @ Sep 28, 2009 20:34:22 PM

related to Tiles

sir,

we are manufacturing ceramic Handmade tiles and glass mosaic tiles for water bodies

pls give us a chance for us

thanks

arihant tiles

ANKIT JAIN of IN @ Sep 18, 2009 08:53:48 AM

KR of TN and D of FL are both correct

Kr of TN and D of FL are both correct. I have had both experiences in the field in the last 6 years.For me it's all about perspective. I have a Mercedes in the driveway and can barely afford to put gas into the tank....I am laughing at the irony of it all. the economy is giving us a glimpse into simpler living and a bit of humility. KR thanks for your list of 'benefits' for volunteerism.

Carlos of CA @ Aug 12, 2009 12:04:03 PM

My thoughts as an LA

I have my MLA, over a dozen years as a registered LA and more than 20 working for Engineers, Architects and Landscape Architects. After 20 years of working for someone else I decided to start my own business. The first year I almost doubled my salary. After 5 years of business, 2008 was my best year ever, although I don't think 2009 will be nearly as good.

On the down side... I still do the same things I did before only now I make more money and have more flexibility. Almost everything D of FLA says is true. A typical project consists of a planting plan and irrigation design for commercial development. I did not go back to college to design planting plans. I wanted to create parks and beautiful spaces. In all honesty the majority of the work I do is fairly boring. Fortunately it is necessary in most cities.

However my dreams have not died. Every space I design, no matter how small or insignificant, is my attempt to create beauty. No matter how boring a parking lot or strip mall, I attempt to bring color and texture to the space. I consider the sun and the best location for shade trees. I strive at retaining the existing vegetation and use water conservation through rain gardens, bio-retention ponds and wetlands. These are small things and may not mean much to others, yet they are my attempts to create a better environment for man.

If you want to design parks and other public spaces I recommend joining and volunteering at any organization. There are many benefits including: 1) Marketing yourself 2) Making new contacts 3) Refining your skills 4)Making the world a better place and lastly 5) helping others. Yes it does take time, but you will be amazed at the benefits and increase in business. You may consider working with/for the government as most parks are public spaces and paid for with our tax dollars.

A very wise former employer once told me our job as LAs was to educate our clients and the public. They truly have no idea what we do. We are caretakers, stewards of the land. We need to be knowledgeable not just about plants, but also hydrology, ecology, topography, human anatomy, human psychology, technology, and conservation. We need to continually educate ourselves in better ways to sustain, protect and conserve our land. Who better than LAs to do this?

So, is Landscape Architecture the profession for you? Perhaps, but don't expect to design parks and other large spaces immediately after you graduate. Like every other profession you must pay your dues before you can go on to bigger things.

KR of TN @ Jun 26, 2009 15:23:04 PM