Landscape Architect As one of the 50 best careers of 2010, this should have strong growth over the next decade By U.S. News

There was a similar article in 2008 for “2009”. I’m not sure what they are looking at. I’m not as pessimistic as others on this site, but I’m thinking that by 2018 LA as a profession will have likely just gotten its stride back (in whatever form is anyone’s guess).

Here is my predictions:

2010 – a flat fairly dead year. – minimal hiring
2011 – Mild pick up – firms starting hiring across the board but only for 1 – 2 positions for a firm of size 50
2012 – Steam Gathering – firms hire at a “typical” pace ie. 2-3 positions for a firm size of 50
2013 – Steady work – firms hire slightly above average at 3-4 positions for a firm size of 50
2014 – Business as Usual (minus the 2001-2007 fat) – firms back at the typical pace and the industry matches total employees of 2007 (though unemployment still above normal)
2015 – Industry has nearly caught up with unemployment levels of 2007. Boomers in the field that can retire begin.
2017 – Industry at low unemployment levels of 2007.

Most professions will likely recover ahead of us by 2013-2015.

Yes, and this is an opportunity to design the landing site for the mother ship. Don’t let an engineer beat you to it.