Jay Smith

Human beings seem to have a natural tendency to predict the worst when it comes to the forecasting of anything.  Be it economic, political, weather, sports….there will always be dooms dayers for any given subject, and media outlets will only magnify it because it sells.  This is one significant reason I hold out hope that things will turn aro…[Read more]

So you’re suggesting that if Michael simply works his butt off, out works his peers, that he’ll have a long stable rewarding experience in Landscape Architecture?  I don’t know man, I don’t mean to read into what you are saying too much, but I know a LOT of very hard working LA’s who have sacrificed a lot for this profession, only to end up…[Read more]

Michael just remember it’s not just this particular recession that you will have to worry about if you commit yourself to this field.  As you’ve probably realized by now, LA is a very up and down industry, more so than most professions.  Consider too that if there are particular aspects of the field that you enjoy, you may still be able to find w…[Read more]

Its not going to bounce back in 4 years, or even 10 in my opinion.
Nick what do you base this on? Not suggesting you are right or wrong, but I hear this a lot from people, what are your sources?

“do you think an employer is going to be more interested in someone that pulled themselves up and created opportunity or who bagged groceries at Winco and sent out hundreds of resumes and portfolios?”
 
Having a partner (husband, wife, significant other, best friend, etc.) who is also producing income or taking on half the risk makes a big…[Read more]

Kim, rather than worrying about the job market, which may or may not be down by the time you get out, just make sure you know what you are getting into in terms of the profession itself.  I don’t know what your exposure has been to the field thus far, so perhaps it goes without saying, but the majority of real life jobs in this field are nothing…[Read more]

Good post April.  I think the rift you spoke of can also, at least partly, be attributed to man’s innate desire to feel we have more control over our lives than we really do.  People want to feel they make their own luck.  People want to believe they have jobs other don’t because of personal choice and hard work. And why not, who wouldn’t sleep be…[Read more]

Whoa there Craig, practice a little comprehensive reading before hitting those keys.  Why did you automatically assume I was referring to you?  You’re so trigger happy your ready to unload on anyone who might be “one of them”.  My views on the direction of our profession is about as middle of the road as you will find.  But thanks for proving my…[Read more]

Craig I’d venture to say that the majority of those disgruntled right now about the profession would settle for pre-boom job prospects and stability.  Sure there are the occasional radicals who fear the sky is falling and feel it is their moral obligation to go all Paul Revere, but there are many professionals out there who just want to discuss th…[Read more]

I haven’t been on here for a while, just checked backed in and I see that these same discussions are still going strong.  It’s sad/scary that this debate has raged on for some 4+ years.  I understand those who are fed up with people coming on here claiming the profession is dead, but at the same time, here we are 4 years later, basically the s…[Read more]

Bringing this thread back from the dead.  With so many people considering extra education during these times, I’d like to hear from some of Land8’s 11,700+ members.  Know an LA who’s gone for more education in a complimentary field?  How did it work out for them? Please share your story.

Jason, when did you look into fed loans?  The rates I’ve been seeing lately for federal stafford are 6.8% or lower for graduate loans, 3.4% for undergrads.  Plus they knock off another half percent if you setup automatic payments online.  And if you choose the extended or income-contigent repayment plans you can get a fairly low payment.

20k of loans certainly sounds reasonable assuming you don’t already have a huge mountain of debt. I don’t think additional education has to necessarily bury a person, unless you felt you just had to pay it all off in 5 to 10 years. In-state tuition at a reasonably priced institution coupled with PT work while in school can be a manageable option,…[Read more]

I’d like to know this as well.

Hi Tabitha,  is there a reason why I couldn’t just export the sketchup scenes at tiff’s rather than jpegs?  Skipping the photoshop step all together?  I’m guessing there is, but just wanted to know the reasoning.  
Also, I noticed my free version of sketchup 8  does not have cmyk color options, is this a big issue?  I probably used the ‘colo…[Read more]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for the ideas everyone.  I like the saddle-stitch concept, since binding can be costly.  Jason your double-sided brochure idea is great, I assume you need a relatively thick paper to prevent being able to see color shades through it?  I think I’m leaning in the brochure direction, but I figure there’s no harm in throwing in a cd or min…[Read more]

The survey says!…..

Last call.  Thanks to the 36 who participated so far.

In somes cases, thieves are using anothers credentials and references to obtain employment (assuming anothers identity).  Or using the information on the resume and filling in the blanks with a little extra work for more traditional means of identity theft.  Just do a websearch for professional identity theft,etc.  Not saying the odds are high…[Read more]