Should I major in landscape architecture?

[Deena]

There is also great satisfaction that comes from seeing an idea in my head, putting it on paper, watching it get built, and then seeing people experience and enjoy the place that I helped create. That is why I’m a landscape architect.

 

Been following this discussion, and those few lines hit home. Thats the reason why I want to become a LA.

[April Prey]

Michael:

Been following this discussion, but did not feel compelled to add anything until I saw your most recent post.  Based on that, I would say: yes, go into LA.  Why?

I am finishing year 2 of a BLA.  The few paid internships in the Seattle area have gone to people who either had experience in the field prior to setting foot in the program, or have exceptional software skills.  And you appear to fall into both categories (assuming you have done some work with your dad, or have at least done lots of observation at his work sites).

Story #1: one of the best paid internships available in our area went to a guy I know who will be graduating soon…he got the internship in year 2.  How?  He had dropped out of high school due to his family having some financial issues, and started doing landscape construction/maintenance at 15 or so.  Fast forward several years…he got his GED…now in a BLA program.  I had a chance to talk to him about how he got the job (it pays as well as a job…) and asked “do you think it was the program that got you the job, or your prior experience?”  Without hesitation, he said “my prior experience – the degree is just a piece of paper”!

Story #2: the second best internship went to a classmate of mine.  He got that gig due to the fact that he’d taught himself 3ds Max – a 3d modeling application our program doesn’t even teach!!!!  He is our software “go to guy” in our class – and that has put him way ahead of the rest of us in terms of employment.

With the exposure you [may] have gotten via your father, plus the fact you are already good at AutoCAD…you will have an advantage before you even start school!  And your interest in law and health care?  That will serve you as well in terms of having to navigate bureaucracy – AND designing for health care facilities is a specialization unto itself.

You sound like the type of person that would have the best shot at a job afterwards. Just my two cents from what I have observed.  Your mileage may vary and all that….

[Leslie B Wagle]

I know, it’s “Fox”  business etc. but if you can still read it, this wasn’t what I was expecting it to say:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/04/30/how-to-avoid-career-choice-decision-trap/?link=mktw

[Lorip623]

Michael —

Get some hard sciences under your belt if you wander into LARCH — your designs will actually be viable versus strictly conceptual. It’s a tough career, you have to have a passion for it.

 

[Jordan Lockman]

What  a great article. They had a similar discussion on public radio here locally about six months ago.

[Michael Tracy]

Hello all, I’ve gotten some emails about post in this thread.  I’m sorry to inform you guys but I decided to not major in LA, I’ve decided to major in Interactive design & media.  I however do have a friend whom has just graduated from the LA program at my school.

I don’t think I ever posted my work from high school, it’s more architecture stuff then LA, but here it from sophomore from high school.

 

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