Graduated May 08 > worked 8 months > laid off

Hey Steve! It’s been a while since I’ve caught up with you. I’m sorry to hear about your job, man. Sounds like you’re better off not being there anyway. Hang in there though. I’m sure you’ll end up fine – the economy is just down and out. You should do something epic like live in Colorado and ski as much as humanly possible until some opportunities arise!

I’d say just stay connected with people in the area and open to some part time or even un-paid work just to get your foot in the door at a firm you really like. Once you show them you have the skills they’ll want you. I’m working in a small firm right now in D.C. All it takes is one project to come through the door and they could use a little extra help…you just need to walk in the door and introduce yourself.

Well, hope it helps. I believe in ya man – stick with it! Hope to see you sometime soon and play some golf!

Believe it or not, there are jobs in Colorado right now. You might just need to look a little higher than Denver ; )

Steve, check planning jobs, these are often more low-level and they are willing to hire first -timers. they do help you in your LA interest, as they are often plan review..The downside is they are very hard and thankless. and don’t pay well, although they can be gov. jobs, so are permanent with benefits..
I know they want planners for Afghanastan, I don’t know how adverturous (sp???) you and your girlfriend are..
those types of jobs would be on USAjobs , ‘community planners..” Local planning jobs would be on APA website..
good luck. I am personally fascinated by the continuing tales of woe and discouragement on these posts..I had a very similar experience when I graduated with my MLA in 1987, although part of it was my own fault, taking the idealistic jobs and turning away from the practical..
Landscape Architecture – my siblings who are doctors say things like, “it’s amazing how far you have gotten with that,” with the feeling that their wives, with their three classes in night school, have done a very nice job with their gardens..
And the doctors also come up with zingers like, “gee, maybe if we thought about regions in terms of where the water comes from…” It’s called a ‘watershed ‘ dear..
Def. for love, not money…If you go back to school for a higher degree, I would say go for a law degree and you will have a lot more influence on the landscape..

hang in there steve. you may have to move once or twice befre you settle in aplace to establish your career. there is plenty of work in china and the middle east if you are adventurous. LA is a great career – I’ve been doing it for 27 years and would do it all over again.

I moved to Denver in 1984 as a new grad in the middle of a recession (imagine that). I wasn’t laid off but saw the writing on the wall – I was working design and construction for a contractor and making about $4.50/hr with a BLA. I took my uncle up on a job offer in NY to help him run a military aircraft manufacturing shop. I enjoyed the responsilibity and the money but missed LA. When a LA job opened up nearby I jumped on it and built my experience in NY knowing I’d eventually want to get back to Colorado.

Finally moved back to Colorado – where my wife came from – in 1998, after 14 years – and am hopefully here to stay. Bad times effect everybody but provide opportunities if you are creative and flexible. Knowing things were slow at our office in Denver in 2007 I volunteered for a temp 8 month assignment to China last year. It was tough on the family but a great experience for me. When I returned to Denver and my own company was downsizing, I found another (better) job this past April.

My recommendation – stay active in professional groups, get a masters degree, stay visible in the design community, travel, learn as much as you can about your chosen profession, network – that’s what it all about right now. Most of all stay positive – good thngs will happen. good luck.

RLA= $90k+? After how many decades?

I have heard planners make less as well..Sort of all beside the point though isn’t it?

Wow Steve, couldn’t relate to anyone better. I graduated at the same time and took a job out of state to only be laid off 9 months later. I feel I gained a little from my first experience, but there was still much to be desired. I decided to move to a place I’d like better (Arizona) and at least be happy with where I live instead of chasing jobs.
I’ve realized that people in our positions are in a tough way, but there may be hope for us soon. While firms aren’t hiring now, we should be in the best positions when things turn around. I am currently freelancing, which has landed me in a full-time position for as long as the work is going well. I’ve tried to retap into my love for the work via connecting with other’s in the industry and working on personal improvement of skills I’d like to eventually practice full time.
It’s easy to be down in times like these, but I like to stay positive and see this as an opportunity to reevaluate my goals. I hope you might be finding some of the same positives. But then again, why not open a pizza place if that would make you happy? I have a friend from my last job that’s throwing in the L.A. towel and opening his own brewery, and he couldn’t be more excited. It’s all about doing whatever it takes to find the thing that makes you happy each day, and I hope you find it. In Colorado I’m sure it’s around every corner. Good luck man!