Career advice: Landscape Designer/Landscape Architect questions

I think you drive around in a truck with a trailer on the back and weed flower beds, plant stuff and put out mulch all day.

If you are good, they let you cut the grass too.

Yeah, you really wanna give this some serious thought. I had a few friends go this route at LSU. I think there was a perception that because LSU has the best program in the country, that you will be looking at a damn good salary when you complete the degree. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case. Some of them have left the industry all together, others are looking to leave. Fact is, its really hard to make money (for the sake of discussion lets say 60k+) unless you own your own operation. I have nothing to back this up, but I also get the sense that the market is rather saturated in LA.

On the flip side, keep in mind that hurricanes are GREAT for the Landscape Architects in Louisiana, great for business.

Just my two cents.

I'd expect it to be very pro-cyclical. Had a family friend that was/is a landscape architect. The 90s in metro Atlanta were great for her with all of the growth. She hasn't been able to hold down something solid since the market crash 6-7 years ago.

Just make sure you're willing to move to growth areas. Although like someone said above, somewhere that requires constant redevelopment might also be good (hurricane zones).

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Any info would be greatly appreciated

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i have a BIL who is a LA.....there don't seem to be that many jobs in this area....they had to move to florida for him to get a decent job

not that its a bad thing, just depends on how limited you want to be

Are you creative and interesting in how things are built and grow? How hard do you want to work? With a good company you can go from designer to Project manager in a few years if you pay attention, learn, work hard, and don't be afraid to ask questions. After that, the only advancement is if a principal leaves or the company grows. I really don't know what starting salaries are right now. I'm guessing 45-50k. after 10-15 years if you're with a good firm probably making 60-70k. The biggest problem is your livelihood is basically dependent on growth. About 3-5 years ago it was very rough but it's turned around tremendously here in Houston the last 2 years.

typical work week is sitting in front of a computer drafting and putting construction documents together(and dicking off on TD). As you move up you'll probably get some field time depending on the construction administration of the project or the firm you're working with.

There are several LA's on here and will probably chime in also.

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As far as location goes, we would like to be in the Nashville/Knoxville markets

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I have a few friends that work in Memphis and the market there is OK so I'd imagine Nashville would be OK. But most of all, you want experience even if you have to do crap you don't like in between semesters to do what you think helps you learn the industry. Work in a nursery, work with a landscape contractor, construction. etc.

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The placement of the sago palms by the front walk

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Jesus I hate that shite. And they hurt like hell when you brush up on one

I'll put it this way: You don't get into landscape architecture for the money. It's not terrible money, but you aren't going to get a second vacation house unless you're a principal at a larger firm. LA is an extremely diverse field. You can run a truck and crew, you can design estates for rich people, you can design cities, or you could do a few dozen other things. It really depends on what you like and are good at. My work centers more on the urban design side of the spectrum. I design parks, plazas, campuses, and things of that nature. I've also been involved in several large-scale, multi-year urban planning/design studies that are finally starting to break ground.

As far as municipal/environmental/commercial sorts of careers, work somewhere that is progressive. Outside of a few cities like Nashville, Charlotte, and Atlanta, don't work in the south unless you want to pull your hair out. It's an uphill battle to get people to buy into what you can provide. Every day I have to fight people that don't see the benefits of things like improving pedestrian connectivity, reducing stormwater runoff, increasing urban tree canopy, increasing biodiversity, etc. The value of LA in the south is much lower than other parts of the country. Design is still dominated by engineers and architects around here. Every once in a while you get a client that gets it.

If you are a Tennessee resident, look into the Academic Common Market. I'm from Nashville, but I got in-state tuition at LSU because Tennessee didn't have a LA program. I know UT has a grad program and that they had been looking at creating an undergrad program, but UT's grad program had been run by architects, which I don't quite agree with. I'm not sure if that's still the case. UGA, UK, Miss State, and LSU are all in the academic common market for LA, and all have good programs, though they all sort of specialize in different things.

One of my favorite things about what I do is watching my designs grow. Our designs are living and I think that's cool as hell. Each space I design is experienced differently every time I check in on them. Most architects and engineers don't really get to experience that.

I know there are a few more LAs on here that work in different fields and can offer different advice.

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I'll put it this way: You don't get into landscape architecture for the money. It's not terrible money

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I'm not looking to become a millionaire, what I am looking for is a career field that I enjoy more then anything. After having jobs within both the military and civilian sectors that I wasn't crazy about(putting it lightly),happiness for my family and myself has became the biggest priority moving forward. Not to say that money won't be part of my decision, because it will be. But, it's not the most important line item.

I know someone had mentioned it above in another comment, but can you give me some insight on what a LA can expect starting off in New Orleans, where those salaries can expect to be in 5 years, 10 years etc. (without being a principal or starting my own business)

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My work centers more on the urban design side of the spectrum. I design parks, plazas, campuses, and things of that nature.

the benefits of things like improving pedestrian connectivity, reducing stormwater runoff, increasing urban tree canopy, increasing biodiversity, etc

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All of the things you mentioned above line up almost exactly with projects that I'd like to be a part of and the direction I would like to take.

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If you are a Tennessee resident, look into the Academic Common Market. I'm from Nashville, but I got in-state tuition at LSU because Tennessee didn't have a LA program. I know UT has a grad program and that they had been looking at creating an undergrad program, but UT's grad program had been run by architects, which I don't quite agree with. I'm not sure if that's still the case. UGA, UK, Miss State, and LSU are all in the academic common market for LA, and all have good programs, though they all sort of specialize in different things.

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As far as heading out of state for school, unfortunately that's not possible. My wife's career is here(Knoxville) and we're locked in for better or worse. I don't think much has changed since you looked into what UT has to offer. They're still only offering LA as a grad. program which I don't get, but whatever. They do offer a BA in Landscape Design & construction and then offer LA with the masters program.

Do you know if having a BA in Landscape Design & construction would hold me back from job opps. compared to a BA in LA? I've got no clue on the difference in degrees.

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One of my favorite things about what I do is watching my designs grow. Our designs are living and I think that's cool as hell. Each space I design is experienced differently every time I check in on them. Most architects and engineers don't really get to experience that.

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That's great to hear. When you can do what you love, it makes getting up for work a lot more enjoyable.

--Thanks for the indepth look and brief over view

It's hard to imagine the UT doesn't have an LA undergrad program considering it has a college of architecture and design with a masters program.

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Do you know if having a BA in Landscape Design & construction would hold me back from job opps. compared to a BA in LA? I've got no clue on the difference in degrees.

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Tennessee's program looks more to a contracting side that architecture side. I would say a 4 year degree in that and add 2 more for the masters doesnt' put you that far behind a typical 5 year program, plus you may actually benefit more from that. State offers a contracting degree and many did the Landscape architecture & landscape contracting degree both. It's an extra year for that dual degree.

As far as job, I don't think it puts you at a disadvantage except when it comes to becoming a registered Landscape Architect. You will need a degree from an accredited program which UT's undergrad program isn't. In the south though, this may not be a big deal. I know a lot of cities do not require an LA stamp for permitting. Whoever hires you at an entry level is wanted to see what experience you have in the industry and computer skills to see if you can contribute to putting together a set of plans.

Also, there are plenty of LA's that go the design/build route. That UT degree may give you a leg up in that direction. Nothing is wrong with going that route either. It's how I learned most of what I know today.