[Kim Romano]

Thanks April.  Good luck to you too!  I heard that UW has an excellent program.

[Kim Romano]

Thank you!  And I agree.

[Kim Romano]

You have my sympathies too earthworker.

[Kim Romano]

Throwing caution to the wind and heading to UT this summer to begin an MLA program!  

[Kim Romano]

Hi April,

Not sure this helps as I’m not a LArch and started a thread to get an idea of the job market. BUT, when I was doing my initial research before applying to grad school I got in touch with a few principals of Landscape Architecture firms here in NYC.  I mentioned how old I was and nervous about starting a new career at this point in my life.  One piece of encouragement he had was about a fellow student he met in grad school.  She was in her late forties and “sky rocketed” in the career and started her own firm a year after getting her MLA.  This was more than a decade ago but I guess there is precedence.  Have a  good weekend!

[Kim Romano]

I should clarify Maui Bob, “Any job in LArch would be better than working for my current position in the government.” I’m working for a low income housing program in NYC, you are designing parks on a beautiful Island in Hawaii.  While they are both government jobs, I’m assuming the working culture is very cery different.  Wanna switch for a week and find out? 

[Kim Romano]

Thanks Jay!  I’ve talk to a few principals of LArch firms in NYC about the realities of the job and the day-to-day tasks.    Having earned my first masters, I went through the process of having my academic safe, free-thinking bubble burst when I went to work for the City of New York.  Trust me, a crappy day of work in the Landscape Architectural world sounds better than a regular day for the government.

[Kim Romano]

Thanks Andrew.  My background is in public policy, not so much planning.  I’m trying to cross over into that field but I’m attracted to the design aspect over the finance/ business aspect. When developers explain to me how their buildings are financed through “tax exempt bonds, tax equity…LLC partnership…3% something…maturity rate…”  I just completely check out and disengage.  I really wish I were business oriented in that way, I’d be much better off financially.

[Kim Romano]

So firms probably aren’t eager to hire entry level architects then and I imagine someone just out of school like me will have an extremely hard time finding work. 

[Kim Romano]

Yep!  I did that before applying to MLA programs.  I live in NYC where there are a lot of LArch firms.  They said that the salaries varied and were a little vague to be honest.  They did mention that the industry was seeing a slump right now but were optimistic that it would be better by the time I graduated.   

[Kim Romano]

April it’s so nice to hear from someone who can relate to the career transition. Yes!  I’ve definitely searched for alternative routes of education and career paths. I considered going to Yestermorrow school as well but finally decided that the MLA path would be the most stable path financially. What I’m learning from this thread contradicts that.

You were right to turn away from the M.P.A–I’m not cut out for government work either.  It really is soul-less and stifling with no room to be creative or even act like a human being.  That being said if an M.L.A degree didn’t work out I just couldn’t  fall back on the working situation I find myself in now. It’d be a real leap of faith!!  

Thanks so much for your response, it’s helpful.

[Kim Romano]

All of this feed back has been really helpful and may influence my decision to not to do this, due to the financial struggle it will likely bring about.  On the other hand, it’s encouraging to see that the field draws such dedicated and passionate people.

[Kim Romano]

Thank you.

[Kim Romano]

I haven’t found a way to ask them actually.  I’ve made some cold calls and emails to firms in NYC (where I live) and they were a little vague about the job outlook.  Mostly they said it was grim right now, but should pick up in a few years.   Thanks!

[Kim Romano]

Oh Earthworker I am so sorry to hear that.  You sound like me with my M.P.A degree….

[Author]

Posts