Activity

Thanks sorry must have been distracted..

Our firm tests every potential new employee who would be doing any kind of plan production.  The reason for testing is because we have been burned in the past with people who are less than honest on their resume’s or how they have produced work.  So now everyone gets tested.  Our test is relatively simple.  There is like 10-15 questions/steps tha…[Read more]

I think CAD is very hard to test for because there are so many ways to do the same task.  Most of those tests only accept one way of doing something.     

Why not hire on a trial basis?  Do a temp to hire with a 90 day window.  Let them know that you want them to use your office CAD standards and be able to perform XY and Z within that time frame.     

I agree with the location issue.  I would think the West Coast and the bigger more progressive cites in the east would be better than more traditional environments were they are not as interested in design.  My first job in landscape architecture was for a west coast city govt. and I loved it.  They were some of the nicest people I’ve ever wo…[Read more]

When I was in school several classmates were asked to take CAD tests as part of their internship interview process. I never had to do that so I don’t know exactly what the tests were like or if the employer found much benefit. The reaction from the students,however, was not positive (“What are we, CAD monkeys?” Well….yes, actually…).  I…[Read more]

With regards to my previous comment, K-State offers a 2-year or a 3-year post-baccalaureate MLA. I’m not sure how your specific situation would work out though.

I’m a little fuzzy on exactly what you’re asking.  The purpose of accreditation is to ensure that graduates meet a certain competency level – they’ve been exposed to a core set of skills and knowledge that is necessary to be an LA.  If your B is accredited, then you’ve got that.  If it hasn’t, then you may or may not meet those requirements, an…[Read more]

I suppose the question is whether you’re looking to hire someone with little or no experience, such as a recent grad, someone with at least a few years who should know how to run CAD, or someone who has been a project manager or higher for some time and may not have worked with CAD on a regular basis for a while.  In my opinion, testing is not t…[Read more]

What is competency in one office may not be competency in another. Office standards are something to be aight and learned rather than something to test for.

What your office needs to determine is at what point on the learbing curve do you need a person to be at in order to match the effort you are willing to make that will make them proficient…[Read more]

First, have you all established a CAD standard, or is it a free-for-all ?  What would a new prospect have for reference on the test…do they get to name the layers what ever they want and use whatever lineweight or style they feel like ?  What about text in model space vs layout space?  What about use of fields for titleblocks, or making…[Read more]

Kansas State University has a program such as this.
http://www.capd.ksu.edu/prospective-students/degree-programs/post-baccalaureate-degree-programs/master-of-landscape-architecture

The program I graduated from provided a lot great “nuts and bolts” education with a lot of emphasis on construction. That was a good foundation. The firm I went to work for was a multi-disciplinary firm that had a strong background in construction support services like inspection and field testing. I am actually DOT-certified for inspection and…[Read more]

Thanks Toby.

Tree Staples query was for this tree and others on this project. This is for a ground up residence and the architect/team member called for a specimen Oak to be planted in an area where there are already Oaks – aesthetically and plant community-wise it makes sense to me so I’m on board. But irrigated continuously it cannot be because…[Read more]

Sounds okay so far.  Really, you’re asking about a transplant, not a container grown tree.  How big is this tree going to be ? DBH, height, etc?  Is the tree from nearby ?  
Securing the tree is really dependent on the height of the tree.  If the tree is field grown, then it probably won’t need any vertical support to encourage vertical grow…[Read more]

I am not needing “methodology”. I am inquiring about planting detail. I have never planted a tree so large and am not sure how to anchor it – am thinking tree staples but?  It will be planted in the Fall, and I’m specifying drip irrigation – but still should I call out that it is to be watered/soaked immediately upon planting? This is what I…[Read more]

I think you read this incorrectly Jordan. I am taking no liability. The thing is a client can come after me regardless so I am making a note that I am not responsible in the specs. In any case – my initial question had nothing to do with liability – and is chiefly concerning any specifics to insure that the tree is planted well. thanks – Jennifer