Activity

I can’t divulge some details of things without making it obvious what firm I worked for and what my name is (to anyone who might be on here from the firm), but GIS knowledge at this firm was a huge bonus, they told me this point blank and they also assigned certain responsibilities and “special projects” (for lack of a better term) to me because…[Read more]

Yeah, the CAD is ever so slightly higher than the USD right now but that tends to happen from time to time for a short while and is generally always lower…and salaries are based on the norm.
 
I also have been told that firms here have not had the hard luck that hit American firms  – Canada has not undergone nearly as drastic a recession as E…[Read more]

Like others have stated I think you need to tread very carefully when it comes to salary negotiations.  I think your expectations are way to high for entry level.  I have worked in firms where we have had interns that have become full time associates.  Those people didn’t get huge raises when they became full time.  They were given nominal rai…[Read more]

I am hoping to write a quick blog – don’t usually use flickr.  will post here if I do. LS

Most faculty don’t have a current practice, but a lot will track how their advisees do in the marketplace, especially if they are active in helping people find jobs or providing recommendations.  Usually they try to keep up to date so that they can provide good advice, but also to help market the program to potential students (i.e. our major can…[Read more]

Keep in mind that this is in Canadian dollars, based on the higher cost of *everything* here.  Plus, we haven’t experienced quite the acute recession here.

Great idea, I think I will do that.  Although I’m not sure how much current data the faculty would have (pretty sure the majority of them no longer have their own practice).
 

Of the people I know who recently graduated (past two years) with an MLA that are currently working, my best guess is that salaries average in the low to mid-40’s, and range from high 30’s to high-40’s based on location, experience levels, and market conditions.  I would agree that you should reference general information if pressed for your…[Read more]

This is great advice!
 
So obviously I will only mention anything if they bring it up first.  I’m thinking if I do some negotiating I will just mention the GIS experience that I have (which garners a higher salary on its own), the years of construction experience I have (they do a lot of CA stuff).  I know specifically when they hired me as an in…[Read more]

I do know that only two years ago people were graduating from my school and getting offered that much.  One person was offered 50k.  Granted, that was two years ago, right before the downturn.  All I know is that anything under 40K was considered low…
 
I will be happy with the average at 43K but am just hoping to get a bit more if possible, sin…[Read more]

Thanks Leni – great pictures! Love to see more if you have them on Flickr or something. Really wish I could have made it – hate it when job gets in the way of career! 😀

Haha good point Jason – personally I could use some 4-wheel drive landscape these days, but that might incur the standard jokes about plowing snow in the winter…
 
Can’t wait to dig into the guidelines myself, especially since I was originally under the impression that they were $35, but that was just for the hard copy – the free pdf download…[Read more]

I was there!  here are some photos of the luminaries that spoke: Charles McKinney (NYC Parks Dept), Nette Compton (NYC Parks Dept) and Nancy Owens (Landscape Architect).

I think generally due to the CAD usually being lower than the USD, that salaries are a little bit higher here than down there, so high 40’s would probably be more like low 40’s down in the states. (?)  
 
Maybe not…

In north London a series of demostration walls are being built to test the various systems that are currently available in the UK.
 
An irrigation firm (Watermatic) is testing the performance of each product over a 12 mnth period.All the walls will be irrigated using their watering systems.

The idea is to allow designers and other interested…[Read more]

high 40’s is doing really well in colorado. That said, you should ask for what you think you are truly worth. If they want you, they already have a figure in mind.

Ok thanks guys.  Yeah I’m grateful for the job offer, (not official yet) and I know in this economy I should just take whatever I can get.  Although I know we have not been hit as hard as some countries have and there is still hiring going on…
 
I guess if they ask me what salary I would expect I can start in the high 40’s?  Or does a quote tha…[Read more]

High performance landscape? Man, I love the terminology lately! What is the 0-60 time? How well exectly does a landscape corner? I bet like anything high performance (such my car) the maintenance is really complicated, parts are obscenely expensive and the tires only last 15k miles. Plus, not likely the best thing to to own in the winter. At…[Read more]

In my limited and humble experience in the professional world, less ‘sustainable’ projects in general are what have been keeping us afloat. McDonalds, Drive-thru Coffee, Taco Shops, Gas Stations, and even…Oil and Gas Drilling.
 
I have worked on a few site plans for oil/gas as well as a site plan for ‘sustainable energy uses’ ie PV/Solar, but…[Read more]

50’s probably isn’t going to happen, but I hope it does!
 
In my experience in the west 35-45 is a more reasonable range. I would say someone with your experience and background in colorado would be looking at mid to high 30’s unfortunately. There are so many talented people here willing to work for whatever.
 
In my experience, big firms tend t…[Read more]