Andrew Garulay, RLA

I add ” , RLA ” after my name. My email spells out “Registered Landscape Architect” under my name at work since no one knows what RLA means and there are so many alphabet collectors in the world today just to add to the confusion.

The many environmental consultants who I work with (who are all quite busy all of the time) have biology degrees. Here, the work is in wetlands delineation, wetland permits applications (Notice of Intent), representing clients in front of conservation boards, and designing mitigation plans. It is mostly done as a package deal. Sometimes they are…[Read more]

I think that is great. I wish that were the case everywhere, but it is not. There was a question mark at the end of that statement and I appreciate you answering that question.

I have to wonder if academia is more and more filled with people who went to school and only leave to go to academic related events. Maybe the writer’s point is that the teaching, and therefore the student, is misguided by lack of knowing what exactly is needed. But much in the same way, this writer is defining the function of all design schools…[Read more]

I learned that when visiting last April. There is definitely a “what is best for the department” mentality in all universities. It is about keeping a student population – one way or another. The recruits are drying up now that they are finding out that there are no jobs, so you have to make those that do “follow their passion” stay longer.
I’ve…[Read more]

… will this be followed by more lobbying for the need to have Master’s Degrees and some dropping of undergraduate accreditation in order to make academia an even bigger business? …. the cynic in me says hold on to your wallet.

ASLA seems to average about two a week for the last two years.  Probably about 25% abroad, 20% academic, and the rest a mix between private sector and public. It looks to me that the public sector (municipalities) have really tapered off. Public and academic looked to be dominant several months ago, but not so much now. 
 
On general searches on…[Read more]

I’m looking for the “Like” button.

Why don’t you start up your own firm?

There is a fine line between patience and urgency. Yours is urgency.
 
Lots of things to weigh. I only have one child, but your plight is one I follow closely as someone who lived where you live, got my degree where you did, landscaped where you do, and want to return to live where you live at some point.
 
You don’t live in an area that s…[Read more]

“There are just as many mid-senior levels out there that can’t do either very well.”
 
Don’t you think that can be said in any profession? You have to wonder what it is that their employer thinks these folks bring to the table that you and I don’t see. It seems that when these situations occur and you wind up seeing enough of what is going on for…[Read more]

Speculation or actual observation? I don’t get out enough to know whose behind the desks, whose in the unemployment line, who is gutting it out in lesser jobs to stay productive, and whose in their mom’s basement?
 
Is there a need for technical capability out there that is stronger than other needs? I’m skeptical, but I really don’t know. I’m…[Read more]

He also does not want to pay over time or burn anyone out. But, yes, I do have a boss of great character and generosity. … and we are the busiest office of our type anywhere near us. Coincidence? … I think not.
 
Chaotic and fast paced? Absolutely. Fun and interesting? Not so much.
 
The tough jobs are the ones that pay well and have a h…[Read more]

Surv/Eng Firm (40-42hr weeks) for me (I am an RLA)  …usually 40
paid hourly, time and a half for OT, just like my co-workers.
generally 8-4:30 M-F, but allowed flex time.
 
… all these years I thought I was missing out not working in a big LA firm.
 
Does the long hours and short pay happen in small LA firms, or only the big name ones?

…The question is not how many hours a business owner works, it is what is the reality out there for people working in landscape architecture. We are no closer to that answer than when I first posed the question.
 
Someone of you has to be actually employed in an LA firm, I should hope. Those of you who have jobs with LA firms – 3 simple…[Read more]

Over priced, but not over rated, in my opinion. It is a huge world in there, although most of us don’t need all of that complication. It is nice to have so many options as well as a pain in the neck that there are so many options. If you are put in the position where you have to use a lot of it, it really sucks not to have it.
 
Carlson or…[Read more]

What is entry level pay in Landscape Architecture these days? Someone said $40k. I would think that is on the high side right now for someone directly out of school, but I really don’t know.

Is it safe to say that it is hard to get a job in this profession, but if you do, you will be compensated at a reasonable rate? I think this is true, but I see a lot of posts over the last couple of years since I’ve been on this message board that are saying otherwise. I just don’t know what the actual truth is and I really hope that people…[Read more]

Just to be clear – I am and have been working full time for many years. My purpose for this discussion is to clear up what is landscape architecture folklore and what is reality.  I have also worked either two jobs or a side business the entire time that I have been licensed (10+ years).
 
Working long hours and being passionate is not the same t…[Read more]

I know that it has been around, but it seems to be the Mac program most talked about when it comes to landscape design. She sounds like she is just looking into CAD for the first time. I’m very hesitant to recommend Autocad to anyone who has not had formal training with it and is not working amongst others using it.