[April Prey]

Hello Katharine:

So, to answer the burning question: is it permissible to use Monrovia web photos for lanscape sales materials? It would certainly make such materials much more cost effective for a small business; as I noted above, the botanical stock photo sites charge quite a bit.  Mainstream stock photos are reasonably priced, but simply don’t cut it.

[April Prey]

I have wondered about asking Monrovia…maybe I’ll shoot them an email.  After all, it would help them sell more plants.  All they can do is say no.

[April Prey]

I was hoping for a source where we could actually purchase and use the images in company marketing materials.  I could swear sites like that note the images are copyrighted and owned by the web host or Monrovia.  The larger, more general stock photo companies don’t seem horticulturally trustworthy.

I have found a couple of sources, but they are pricey.

[April Prey]

Good luck Kim!  Texas sounds like a blast…I want to do a BBQ tour of the area some day.  That….and spend a week at a bucking bull ranch so I could draw bulls day in and day out.

The naysayers seem to have forgotten that you already have a career that gave you a skill set you could fall back on if necessary – or even possibly merge some of your skills/experience with the MLA.

Let us know how it goes – would love to read about it.

[April Prey]

Leslie:

On a related note….a few months ago I read an interesting article about a study done on college transfer/completion rates.  One surprising find was that a significant number of college students were “transferring down” from 4-year bachelor’s programs to 2-year community college/trade type programs.  This was typically done in junior year.  The authors speculated that these were people seeking more hands on, marketable skills.  I’ll see if I can find the link.  But that was one thing they did not expect to find.

[April Prey]

A few job posting come through via the university – many from alumni that either work for local firms or started their own design/build.  But what is striking about the ones I see through the university is that the majority of them want 1-3 years of experience….

Haven’t figured out how a requirement like that is useful to those graduating with no experience or an internship….

[April Prey]

FWIW…in the Seattle area, residential/small commercial design/build is the only thing showing signs of life; those doing this type of work are the only ones displaying any sense of optimism.  Most of the job posting that have been circulated to us are for small design/build firms.  The larger, more prestigious firms….the sound of crickets.  

[April Prey]

I have seen ads run by companies that sell equipment/products related to landscape architecture.  Apologies for not keeping links to them to show you.  One in particular, a company that sold playground equipment, was very upfront about preferring graduates of architecture/landscape architecture programs, and noted they were often their best salespeople.  Extensive travel seems to be required with most of those positions.

My background prior to going back to school is in the legal industry (paralegal).  I may end up back in that environment working for a land use lawyer.  You might as well try that.  Lawyers like educated people working under them, even if you are filing papers (I am not kidding – you need a BA to work as a receptionist in all but the tiniest of firms).  You need very good writing skills.  Unfortunately, the legal industry has been hit hard in this economy as well, so you might be competing with new JD’s who can’t find real lawyer work.  But there is constant turn over in legal secretary/paralegal jobs as it often functions as a two year break between undergrad and grad school/law school for some.  So try selling your skills to those practicing in land use/zoning/eminent domain/construction law.

This may not be much help.  Sorry about that. But thank you for distracting me from CD homework for a few minutes.

[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….

[April Prey]

Go Leslie B!  (why doesn’t this forum place replies under the post you are replying to?) I will turn 51 in a matter of days and am finishing year 2 of a BLA.  I chose to go the post-baccalaureate route for reasons I can share if you are interested.  I also commute 95 miles a day round trip via regional transit (a challenge in itself)  I would not reccomend it – you are wise to live nearer to school. 

There are two other late-boomers that started the program with me: one other post-bac and an MLA. I call us the Three Booms….Boom-Boom-Boom!  AndI love my younger classmates to death – they have become like surrogate kids to me – I keep threatening to take them home with me for the weekend so my partner and I can play “parents” for the weekend!

 

[April Prey]

Fabulous info – thanks.  Especially the info about the ratio of paperwork vs. building – I had wondered about that.

[April Prey]

For you, Craig.  And the thanks. I never fail to be amazed at how helpful and generous one stranger can be to another.

[April Prey]

I wish I could take credit for the ‘chunks of guys like you in my stool’ line…but must give credit where its due.

RIP Phil Hartman 1948-1998 (probably did not pen the line but he delivered it wonderfully playing Frank Sinatra giving Billy Idol some grief).

Thanks for taking the time crafting thoughtful, ‘food for thought’ posts. Just curious…what is the longest stretch of unemployment you have experienced in your adult life?

[April Prey]

I am mystified as to how folks can assume that its a “choice” between entry level employment and going it alone.  It isn’t. And while going it alone is hard…how is that ANY harder than trying to get a foot in the door in this economy? Nobody has made the case that gaining entry level employment in a shitty market is easier!  I should also add that there are not many firms in my metro area.  It will take all of two days – if that – to get portfolios out and cover my area. Then what?  Sit on my hands? Call them once a month (that will take about 15 minutes)? Then sit on my hands some more?  That kind of passivity isn’t an option, as far as I am concerned.

[April Prey]

RE: mentoring. Couldn’t agree more.  I think the mentor/mentee relationship is one of the most profoundly important relationships a person could have.  However, how many professionals have you met in your career are willing or have the time/energy to be mentors?  I have heard engineers and lawyers complain for years about the dearth of mentoring in their professions – is LARCH any different? 

Given my circumstances, I could probably swing doing a non-paid internship for up to a year – but wonder if that seems too desperate.  But I can’t help but wonder: why would someone help foster their own future competition?

Great stuff here – I keep suggesting to my classmates to visit this forum.  I think the best, most accurate picture of the profession comes from the discussions on this board.

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