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I think the root of the issue lies a little deeper than a particular title. I think there are a lot of people out there wondering about the validity of the profession. I wonder if I really have or will have the tools to do the kind of work I want to do and which is most important in my mind- having the greatest positive impact on society and the…[Read more]

Always be proud of your profession and the work that you do. If you do not provide residential design then that is your answer to the question at your cocktail parties. I have worked in design firms providing both residential and commercial design. Personally speaking we received much higher fees on our residential work than the commercial…[Read more]

target=”_blank”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34579183/ns/business-careers/

At the same time, BLS also accounted 17.8% job loss in architecture profession in the first three quarters of 2009, making architecture the hardest hit profession in this recession. This number does not include this quarter and the loss in 2008. The total loss is about 28%.…[Read more]

o i am sorry u havent had a reply but, please, do not despair. Come down off that ledge at once. When I saw this post i deliberated whether to reply or not but only cos i know a single clue for you – urban garden magazine which has a .com site. I thawt others would respond in droves,

Apart from looking for growers and nurseries in online…[Read more]

Wes & Jonathan – excellent discussion & perspective on Design-Build. I am both a student and a fan, as I see the opportunity to increase value provided to the customer while ensuring the design vision is honored. When everyone is focused on balancing quality, schedule & cost…the possibilities are endless.

Building on the discussion: Which…[Read more]

I agree with Peter’s comment. A lot.

Yes I can do your back-yard, what do you think needs to be done? I’ve been in primarily residential design/build for the past 27+ years so I’ve “done” alot of back-yards. And front-yards also residential developments, corporate buildings, parks, etc. Perhaps because of my residential slant or because I’ve developed a tougher skin, people’s…[Read more]

Wes,
I don’t know who wrote that but as an LA involved in Design/Build for 27+ years, I agree with most if not all of it.
However, one downside I’ve seen is that a Design/Build-LA/contractor can, after a time, design toward the strengths of their workers and abilities. If they are good and fast at paver installation they may hesitate to install…[Read more]

Michael, I don’t think you’ve hijacked it at all. Thanks for your thoughts, it’s good to hear that not every employer out there is so hung up on gaps. I think you are spot on, in that the interview is a much better gauge of a candidates potential to fit in. Hopefully the majority of employers out there are taking your approach and looking at the…[Read more]

Brent,

Just be sure that the new section you create doesn’t look like bull*hi*, which it kinda would. Of course I want to know if candidates have been active in anything, really, but maybe I’d prefer a simple list of dates. Is this too touchy on my part?

Look. I just find that resumés are such poor ways to summarize a person, that’s all, and…[Read more]

I like this. A lot. Those offended by someone elses misunderstanding of their profession are most likely supremely insecure about their own misunderstanding of their profession.

Great thread and important question. I am looking for employment right now myself (recent grad), and found a lot of the replies very informative. One other angle that occurred to me today was that you could also create a “Professional Development” or “Continuing Education” section of your resume to showcase some of the activities that happened…[Read more]

From the ASLA website: (In regards to the profession)

Who are their clients?

Residential design is the largest market sector (approximately 32 percent of billing hours). Most of that work consists of single-family homes, but also includes multi-family and retirement communities.

Three largest client groups, in descending…[Read more]

Good points Phillip and Michael. It’s interesting to note the contrast of opinions throughout this thread. I guess that just goes to show you it really comes down to the personality and perspective of the individual conducting the hiring process.

I agree, I sure hope that this is true as well. I was talking to my former employer not too long ago and he was telling me that it is starting to look better again, eventhough 2009 can be completely written off, but there does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

…keeping my fingers crossed…

I had a professor say ‘we design everything outside the front door’. You could quibble with the specifics, but it certainly gets the idea across when someone asks!

I simply say this if I think someone is just not quite getting it…
I do for the outdoors what an architect does for a building. I sometimes tell the architect where to put the building. I use plants, the sky, the ground, the views and built elements to define space and provide for the intended use just as an architect uses walls, ceilings,…[Read more]

Personally I’m not saying that we need to re-title our profession, I was simply looking at a blog about landscape architecture and urbanism and saw a magazine article on the subject. I don’t have the rest of the article, the first page of the article was the only thing posted. It was something that I had never head someone say before and I was…[Read more]

Phil: Very good advice; apparently you, like me, have interviewed lots of LAs over the years. And, as to the number of talented people out of work: amen, brother. It’s truly heart breaking—I can tell some stories, and I imagine others here can, too.

Your delicate characterization of my comment above as ‘in your face’ is spot on and accurate. I…[Read more]

if you’re going to hypothetically rename our profession, i think Exterior Architect is a far more suitable title for what landscape architects do.