[Jarrod D. Lee]

Landscape Architect: One who performs or holds himself out as capable of performing any of the services or creative works within the definition of landscape architecture.

Once again, this in no way is meant to infer that I have the professional qualifications, nor is it a discussion of professional vs. non-professional.  This thread was started as a discussion of what to call yourself since there is no LEGAL term for a person who is degreed in Landscape Architecture and practices Landscape Architecture.

 

It is, alas, a never ending argument at this point.  Maybe one day we will have a national body so that we can lay down consistent standards.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

That is an interesting angle Andrew.  Although, civil site planning is in the pervue of the field of landscape architecture.  So, you are still performing as a landscape architect, even if it is at an engineering firm.  I was a site planner at an environmental engineering firm. I did not call myself an environmental engineer.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

I should have said I will call, refer…hmmm…inflection is IMPOSSIBLE on the internet!  Trying to say something to the effect of “in common, daily conversation.”

If my aunt asks me if I am still a landscape architect, I will say yes.  If I told her I was a landscape designer now she would wonder why I changed careers at 40 after working so hard.

I hope this clarrifies.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

Section D…study up on erosion prevention, sediement control and BMPs

[Jarrod D. Lee]

I would like to thank Ryan McAlister for understanding the point of this post.

I must admit that I didn’t really think very much about it until I posted my resume.  The firm that I used to work for often walked a very fine line between ethical/unethical, and I was often referred to as an LA in all sorts of documents.  I pointed out that I was not an LA yet, but it fell on deaf ears.

I still practice Landscape Architecture.  What that, by definition actually makes me, I’ll keep to my self.

I think I am going to title myself as, for the next couple of months, a Landscape Consultant/Designer/Planner.

I do hope that everyone remembers that you probably wouldn’t be in this field if you were not a Landscape Architect at heart.  It’s an ART, it’s what your eyes see and how your mind interprets what you see.  No test or college degree will teach you that.

 

[Jarrod D. Lee]

“I think we can look at this discussion more narrowly as Jarrod has stated he would give himself the title of Landscape Architect in his job hunt.”

 

Not really sure where I stated that I ‘would’ use the title.  I did address how I could answer a question from an RLA if asked why I used the title.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

I find it very interesting that one would assume that I have the answers.  And furthermore, what in the WORLD does that have to do with my resume?

[Jarrod D. Lee]

Format, not content.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

Swollen head referred to some that I have worked with before.  Some firms like robots, others like those that can think for themselves.  That’s quite alright if an opinion is formed about my manner of thought through my postings.  It provides the potential for those looking for robots to look elsewhere.

A resume is about what makes one qualified to perform the tasks of a particular profession.  That is clearly evident by most of the postings in this thread so far.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

OK…posted a revised resume FORMAT.  I removed Landscape Architect so that we can stay on task.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

Please drop the “bud” crap, unless you are using the term metaphorically, like, “one who will soon produce the fruits of his education and training and provide the nourishment for continued growth of Landscape Architecture.”

 

SUCCINCTLY I will answer the question like this…By definition of TERMS I am a Landscape Architect. By definition of LAW, I am not a Landscape Architect.  In all likelyhood this would lead to further discussion, therefore providing more face-time with a potentional employer.  For symantics see post “What To Call Yourself or I Like Poking Sleeping Bears” 

This post is not for this discussion though. It has been posted to discuss mainly format of my resume. Furthermore, why would you need to point out that the fictional interviewer is an RLA when the moniker LA can only be used by one who is registered?

[Jarrod D. Lee]

I think many are taking this discussion a bit to seriously.  As I stated before, I agree with Practice Laws.  I am merely trying to pointing out that the language needs to be more clearly defined.  I want to give one more example…Those of you who were in high school in the 80’s will probably remember this…If you get a girl pregnant you are a father, but to really be a father you have to take responsibility for the child.

 

By definition of TERMS (posted below) I am a Landscape Architect.  By definition of LAW, I am not a Landscape Architect.  I just feel that those of us who have chosen this profession should be more adamant about what qualifies one as a professional or an amateur.  I want to commend those who have passed the tests and can now refer to themselves, legally, as a Landscape Architect.  I must now go and study for those tests because I have Sections C and E in a couple of weeks.

 

Landscape Architect: One who performs or holds himself out as capable of performing any of the services or creative works within the definition of landscape architecture.

Landscape Architecture: Any service or creative work, the adequate performance of which requires
landscape architectural education, training and experience; the performance of professional services such as
consultation, investigation, research, associated planning, design, preparation of drawings, specifications and contract documents, and responsible supervision or construction management in connection with the development of land areas where, and to the extent that, dominant purpose of such services is the preservation, enhancement or determination of proper land uses, natural land features, ground cover and plantings, naturalistic and aesthetic values; the determination of settings, grounds and approaches for buildings and structures or other improvements; the determination of environmental problems of land relating to erosion, flooding, blight and other hazards; the shaping and contouring of land and water forms; the setting of grades, determination of drainage and providing for storm drainage systems where such systems do not require structural design of system components, and determination of landscape irrigation; the design of such tangible objects and features as are necessary to the purpose outlined herein, but shall not include the design of buildings or structures with separate and self-contained purposes such as are ordinarily included in the
practice of architecture or engineering.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

Thanks for the reminder about address and phone number.  I’m just so used to making sure that it is always there.

Earthbound Visual Object Prophet is just a play on Landscape Architect.  Too many people getting fussy.  I’m pretty sure that I won’t leave it on my resume.  I just refuse to call myself a Landscape Designer.  I have nothing against Landscape Designers, I just didn’t spend all that time and money to go through a professional program of Landscape Architecture to call myself a designer.

I do think Architect of the Landscape is rather catchy though.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

I agree with the employers’ market point, but I’m just not going take anybody’s swollen head crap anymore.  I’m old enough to not keep my mouth shut.

I’ve posted a reworked format, still in draft, but I am liking it much more.

I do the same with postings that I find.  I’ve got somewhere in the 60 to 70 range of folders like this.

[Jarrod D. Lee]

Yes, I am a designer, an artist, an engineer, a golf course architect, a spec writer, an ecologist, yada yada yada.  I understand that the debate is not going to be solved here.  The document that Jennifer posted from California is quite clear.  That should be a national standard.  Although, I disagree with the Golf Course Architect portion.  There is quite a lot more involved in their design and construction than most people think.  Tennessee has made the attempt to define what can be done by registered vs. unregistered individuals.  I haven’t had to worry about since there isn’t any work, but it has a square foot maximum (which is huge), you can’t design anything taller than 3 feet and no permanent dwellings.

 

I am not really in disagreement with the architect/designer thing.  I only mean to state the obvious.  If one performs Landscape Architecture does that not make one a Landscape Architect by default?  It certainly does not make one a Registered Landscape Architect.  Maybe I will take to calling myself an Architect of the Landscape until I wrap up my tests.  I plan to call myself a Registered Landscape Architect when I am registered though.

 

Jennifer, if you are referencing my resume posted in the other thread, I only posted the text portion, no project list or work samples.  And yes, the days of a typographic resume are long gone.

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