Should I major in landscape architecture?

IMO an architecture/landscape architecture major may very well be one of the most challenging degrees a student can pursue with limitless career opportunities after graduation. The analytical thinking, technical, and communications skills typically learned in a design program are invaluable in the real world and I believe we need more people with this kind of training in the world.

The problem is that arch/la professors tend to guide students toward traditional career paths in la/arch and there just are not enough jobs/projects right now to support all of the new grads that want to practice design right out of school.

However, if you’re willing to keep an open mind with regard to how you apply the skills learned in a design program the possibilities are endless.

We just got two new mayors in small towns in my area, both architects. A design education makes very well rounded creative problem solvers. There is no reason a grad with an arch degree should be working ‘survival jobs.’ There are lots of ways to apply creative thinking in the world.

Steady jobs in LA are heavy on the form – filling  out stuff – if I were you, I would check out our national review processes like CEQR and NPDES, as well as try to check out   your  local zoning laws – this is bread and butter (and health benefits)  for LA’s, and stormwater applications (NPDES) are only getting more significant, better codified for every project.

You also have to be sure  you like group decisions, with public participation.

If you don’t, just be ready to run your own business, for which you will need accounting.

Just IMHO!

The analytical thinking, technical, and communications skills typically learned in a design program are invaluable in the real world and I believe we need more people with this kind of training in the world.

I think this is an excellent point and I would say it is one of the most significant skills I developed as part of my design education.  I work with a wide of range of “experts” is a variety of fields and the ability to communicate complex ideas and to cross-cut across the disciplines is invaluable and most other professions don’t use it in the way we do.  One of the rolls I’ve built for myself is as a communitcator and process facilitator.  I also feel the design process is a problem solving process that offers a different approach to analysis and solution finding that is extremely valuable beyond the application to the arrangement of spaces.

I graduated in the spring of 2009, and did not find an industry job until fall 2011.  That was in the midst of the recession.  If you enter school now, I suspect you will finish in a booming industry.  Landscape architecture will have a much larger space at the table of any design/construction project in the future.  We have a lot of new ideas and techniques to offer.  Don’t let the job market scare you away.  Those with the desire to find a job in this industry, from my experience of 100+ colleagues, found one.  Plus, you can always switch majors once you get there.  Your first two years are filled with core classes anyhow : )

Michael, No-one says LA is going to be useless in 4-10 years. Where is that coming from? 

My point is, do you know what CEQR and NPDES are? These are legistlative driving forces behind employment of LA’s (with health benefits), in addition to local zoning regulations. In my experience, if you do not have the patience to deal with these laws, it is a huge slice of the LA job description that you do not like. There is also national legistion regarding historic sites that I am not familiar with.

I loved pretty pictures and design. I am good at pretty pictures and design (ALL the complex systems – !!! it is toast, easy and fun!!) But this pleasure has been codified in American law, and in implementing your design, you are up against these requirements, after the two minutes of inspiration..and design fun.

If you want to go into LA, I suggest you familiarize yourself with that.

Your first simple step would be, do you know what CEQR and NPDES are? If you do not, find out, and report back in one week.

🙂

My point is, do you know what CEQR and NPDES are? These are legistlative driving forces behind employment of LA’s (with health benefits),

Please tell us what your point it all about?

I graduated in the spring of 2009, and did not find an industry job until fall 2011.

This doesn’t sound like a good career endeavor since we are adivising someone on career choices. During recessions, some professions do well while others dissolve.