[ann gilkey]

For what it’s worth, I can tell you that your experience in landscape architecture makes you one of the best “Jacks-of-all-trades” on the market.  Finding the niche is the catch.  I have ended up as an academic advisor at a vocational institution because of my ability to understand the downturn in the building industry, my abilitiy to see students as projects to be managed with the end “design” being their vocational success in the new emerging marketplace.  No one in education where I am at has a clue what project management or the creative problem solving process can do for them.  Nor do they know how to pitch concepts to visually wired society.  I have found it (my training in LA) enormously helpful in this economy and can see applications for it in many other enterprises outside of traditional LA.

 Unfortunately, I miss drawing and implementing built solutions on the terrain.  However, I intend to harness my skills in whatever comes my way in order to keep myself afloat in perilous times.  If moving to Shanghai is the only option for you, I’d say take it.  However, life is short.  If you can find a creative way to move closer to home, I’d give it a shot.  You never know what unique opportunities might turn up right in your own back yard.  

[ann gilkey]

Chris,
Have you already passed all of these? I still need all of these sections and am in Saint Augustine. I would love to study with someone.

[ann gilkey]

Laura,
I just passed A after being out of school and away from a firm for 13 years. I studied all the available tests, read all of the books (five of them, I think. available on interlibrary loan) on the reading list and researched everything on the ppi that i did not know all about. (even the wrong answers). I also looked at project manuals. I passed and I have not been so fortunate with other sections so I must have been doing something right.

[ann gilkey]

Jennifer,
I have failed E 3 times so you do not want my advice but if there was a source somewhere half way between here and orlando where we could both meet a few times before the Dec. test, we could at least ask some pertinent questions. “Here” is Saint Augustine.

[ann gilkey]

I don’t think anyone is suggesting that the licensing process should not be rigorous; only that the appropriate information be accessible and commensurate with the investment one makes in it. Those of us who have not worked in a mulit-disciplinary broad service firm or who have been out of work have to rely heavily on accurate, available information. I hope it’s not too late for interlibrary loan. That’s a helpful idea.

[ann gilkey]

Guys, I’ve been out of school and work for 10 years (kids). I’ve got tons of regurgitated and new study material and have been to last years preps. My problem is that the lare is a moving target and I am trying to do this with dwindling funds. I am studying A now and everywhere I look, new issues pop up that require hundreds of dollars to gain access to the information. What the hell is the Brooks Act anyway, and do I need to purchase the Sustainable Landscape Construction book ($40+) or could I read the draft for the Sustainable Sites Initiative. I feel like I am in a leaking boat….a very expensive leaking boat going no where fast.

[ann gilkey]

when you took section a, did it require construction information and if so, what did you use to study that?

[ann gilkey]

amen.

[ann gilkey]

Matisse once said, “I don’t paint things. I paint the differences between things”. That’s the best cocktail answer I’ve come up with. Yes, it leaves the hearer perplexed, but at least they find me thoughtful and witty instead of wordy and irrelevant. Landscape Architects don’t only design stuff, they make stuff work. I believe LA’s must become relevant to the cocktail attendee. You must be able to answer their petty landscape question before they will perceive you worthy of deeper inquiry. In essence, we must know more about the nitty-gritty stuff and take that core of information to the people. From there, we change the attitudes and therefore the perception. So go ahead, ask me about that brown spot in your lawn. I 1st tell you about the correct pesticide, then I tell you about the organic alternitive. Later I show you how to set up to harvest rainwater and next year I am recalled when the downtown revitalization committee needs bidders. At least that’s my approach.

[ann gilkey]

Sorry Jim. I am taking C only. However, I will take E in June…..if you have to retake. Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. As you can see, I don’t check often enough. I have taken E twice…..it’s not my strongest suit. As they say: practice, practice, practice….preferrably with someone who’s passed.

[ann gilkey]

I have a mac as well but would like to collaborate with you, if possible. It has a built in web cam video.

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