Grad school instead of working??

This is something that I was just discussing with some of the seniors at the University of Maryland last week.

If I was in their position right now, I think I would definitely continue on to get my masters. I do not think, however, that it would be the smartest decision to get an MLA if you already have a BLA. So, I would consider doing something in a related field that will make you even more marketable when you get out. Some ideas would be Architecture, Fine Arts, Historic Preservation, Urban Sociology, Planning, Horticulture, etc…

I don’t think you need to be in any rush to find your interest, it is most likely not going to come to you in your first job anyway. I have been working for almost 3 years now, and I still do not know what I want to do, because all I have done so far is residential landscape architecture. I’m sure I will got through a few more jobs before I figure out what it is I really want to do, but I have a feeling I will go back to school even before that happens.

I think it would be tough to get a job in landscape architecture without a BLA not matter what the economy looks like. I would definitely continue on and get the MLA out of the way if you are pretty sure you want to get into the field.

Looking at my school personally (University of Georgia) there is absolutely no reason to get your MLA if you already have your BLA. It is essentially a sped up version of the BLA, where you take most of the same design studios just with masters students, and you work on very similar projects. If other schools are similar you really wont learn anything “new” just spend a few more years re-doing projects so yes the experience and practice is nice but there are better options in my opinion. If you are going to do something I would take the idea of Kevin and find a related field, personally after I finish my BLA (im in my 3rd of 5 years) I am looking closely into the Master program for Planning that they are introducing next fall here at UGA.

As a recent graduate looking for an entry level job (and not finding much), the idea of returning to school is a little scary – I don’t want to put myself further into debt and spend several more years in a classroom only to wind up in the same jobless situation I’m facing now. I’m curious about opinions regarding the validity of a second bachelors in what seems to be a field with more job opportunities (like Civil Engineering, as nrschmid suggested) versus a masters in a field that seems to be facing the same types of economic woes as landscape architecture, like architecture or planning. Thoughts?

I have worked in the industy for 15 years,8 of those I owned by own design/build company, the economy is so bad I have decided to go back to school now for my undergrad in Landscape Architecture.