Jay Smith

This has been my experience with the LA profession as well. Will it change? Maybe in a generation or two, but not overnight. Not to sound pessimistic, but after 8 years in the field it really wears on you.

I would say try to learn as much as you can about the things they won’t be teaching you. I don’t know what the program is like at Washington, but many (or most) of the BLA programs out there focus mainly on design theory, and not enough of the nuts and bolts of Landscape Architecture, like construction detailing, grading, plant I.D., software,…[Read more]

Ashish,

Good topic. I’ve been pondering this question myself now the last couple of years. I’ve been out of Landscape Architecture since 2008 and I’ve had a real tough time finding anything beyond minimum wage jobs. The L.A.’s I know who have gone into other fields all had additional education (or training/experience of some kind) to make that…[Read more]

What do your 3 brothers do for a living?

Mike, is there much demand over there right now for L.A.’s coming out of the United States?

Of the LAs you know, how many lost their jobs after the economy went bad?

Out of about 10 people I’m tracking, seven lost their jobs. I’m not sure how many of them have found new work.

I’m sorry I cannot provide more information, but it’s an interesting thread. I think you should also consider, as with any online discussion forum, that you are…[Read more]

I liken the great recession to a grand game of musical chairs. If you were caught off one of the chairs when the music stopped, you’re basically screwed. I hope all who kept their jobs realize how lucky they are.

To all those who are saying ‘yes’…….does this mean you never lost your job during the recession, or that you have found a new job in the profession during the recession? Just curious, as these are two entirely different scenarios.

NO. I’ve been out of the profession for almost two years from this recession. I’m considering going back to school to leave the field, or at least to have another source of income. It’s bad here in Florida. But it seems to be that way everywhere. I’m normally optimistic, but this recession has hurt. I have bills to pay and just want some stability.

Thanks Jason for your open minded perspective.

Hey Amy, yep its actually $100 for two months for non-members. A rip off in my opinion. But I’d gladly hand it over if I thought my odds were greatly improved. I agree with everything your saying. I remembered you telling me about your experience with it, so I thought a broader poll here on Land8 might be a good idea before letting them take…[Read more]

I hear you Jennifer. But it only takes one firm out there to see it and become interested. I guess the way I see it is, you can take that $100 and send out resumes/portfolios to a limited number of firms. Or you can put it up on the board, and have it visible to any firm in the world who chooses to look. I just wish ASLA would give you 12 months…[Read more]

by Nick Aceto 13 hours ago: “it is a pretty passive and roundabout way of pursuing a career in my opinion”.

Again guys, this would be true if it were one’s only method of job hunting. But as I clarified earlier, it’s probably not a bad way of boosting your odds, as a compliment to a larger, more comprehensive job search. I’m not sure if it’s…[Read more]

I disagree. Try telling that to the people who’ve been contacted after posting their information.

There are currenly only 63 resumes on the site. (Often only 3 or 4 listings per state). To assume that a person who posts on there is lazy is to assume that this is their only method of searching. I see it as another tool in one’s arsenol. Another…[Read more]

Michael, I don’t think you’ve hijacked it at all. Thanks for your thoughts, it’s good to hear that not every employer out there is so hung up on gaps. I think you are spot on, in that the interview is a much better gauge of a candidates potential to fit in. Hopefully the majority of employers out there are taking your approach and looking at the…[Read more]

Good points Phillip and Michael. It’s interesting to note the contrast of opinions throughout this thread. I guess that just goes to show you it really comes down to the personality and perspective of the individual conducting the hiring process.

Good News! Let’s hope they’re right.

Amy, I think the skills-based resume is a good way to go. I’ve done a little more reading on it this morning, and I think it’s worth a shot, can’t hurt. It does seem to de-emphasize gaps. My current resume is really a combination of a chrono and a skills based, but it’s almost a new year, so perhaps a fresh start is in order.

I also like the…[Read more]

Mike, I think that idea has some potential. I think it is possible to improve ones skills during a time like this in specific areas, but not necessarily realistic to stay current in a broader sense. In an ideal world, an employer would not look at a long time away from the profession as an automatic negative and set the resume aside. But I realize…[Read more]

Amy, thanks for your encouragement. I recall seeing some skill based resume samples on the net a while back, but I didn’t come across any from someone in our profession. I’ll send you a PM, I would be interested to see how you handled that.

I think you are right, in that employers who are overly concerned with employement gaps are probably not…[Read more]