J. Robert (Bob) Wainner

It’s hard to “be unsure and reluctant to invest so asking for payment and training together” in any profession….medical, engineering, law, etc. when others have done some training first. That’s why I suggested finding a slot where your other horticulture-related experience might be of use. For example, an LA firm may have a botanic or…[Read more]

I’ve heard of firms hiring people who were 2- 2 1/2 years into their B.S. but there are a couple of considerations here. 1) No, they wouldn’t likely take the time to train you in the software (others may be more current on this but I am thinking about a parallel in times past when the job applicant usually had basic hand drafting skills). 2) Any…[Read more]

Unless someone else has been in your exact spot (same country etc.) I think there aren’t any answers because most states also require some employment experience as well as a degree, and there will need to be an individual response from the state where you seek registration. (To determine what weight they will assign to your whole record). So you…[Read more]

All good advice. Thank you.

I’ve been passing that on to people closer to the gadgetry myself with no problems as well but I feel a little weird that I have to explain it to clients (saving on design fees helps the issue).Those are areas that someone really interested in the work will gladly do and rather than charge my time (if I had ever invested in learning it),…[Read more]

Yes, I thought right after I posted that, it would depend on what you find you must (or what you want to) aim for, and there are different sets of skills needed accordingly. Then there is the general innocence most of us have about how hard it is to find the right niche and to get work, period. But being motivated and feeling competent helps get…[Read more]

Thanks J.

Thanks for your input.

That’s very interesting and helpful! I didn’t know about Upworks. I don’t like how competitive it sounds, but I’ll check it out just in case. Thank you for your time and generosity. I’ll take you up on that! 🙂

Amber

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! That’s a lot of good information. I’m definitely planning on having signed contracts and I’ll take your advice and add the revisions clause too. I can see how endless revisions could be an issue with some clients. I’m glad to hear that you request 50% up front. I didn’t realize any designers did that…[Read more]

I’ve only see it in fences but don’t see why it couldn’t be siding, depending on whether it lasts as long as other treated or tested wood products. I wouldn’t do it strictly for an appearance preference without knowing that.

Just wanted to add….if you do anything on line, be sure it’s got interactive classes with other students. I just don’t think you can learn the interaction that offices expect without an initiation in collaboration, ie. if your studies themselves are as an isolated person with a “tutor.” I realize the whole field is going to have more vitual…[Read more]

I don’t really know that state so can’t guide you. But just beware of something. There sometimes ARE people who get a job with a registered L.A. as a helper person who knows plants well, can do drafting, estimating, watercolor sketches, nearly anything….including LA students who just didn’t finish their degree. And if you gathered some courses…[Read more]

Isn’t there a way to find out if a school is an ACCREDITED one – by CLARB or another body? I don’t even understand the purpose of a degree for people who are just “interested in” LA. That is almost cruel if students don’t come out with the necessary technical skills, when the same time could be spent in a solid program that could lead to…[Read more]