Pat S. Rosend

I am dating myself, but my first job paid 18k. I didn’t take the job that offered me 16k:-)
 
This was in the late 80’s. 3 years later BOOM. The market crashed and layoffs and paycuts later I was making less than when I started. It is an unfortunate part of the cycle. One difference was that I was able to leave for another job to get more stable…[Read more]

That is impressive. I wish I knew how to do that.

Wow. An interesting read. Lots for me to think about. I hope it’s not dead. I enjoy what I do even thought it is different form what other LA’s do.

Thank you for commenting on the fees associated with various certifications. They add up quickly.

like the idea of keeping a Master Job list for design work performed, but that seems more appropriate for marketing to a client rather than something to show a potential employer.

A future employer is your most important client! You absolutley must market yourself. It not a skill we are taught in school, but it is one you should embrace.

How the heck do you find that out from a resume? You don’t. The resume is the tool to get you in the door.

I use it all of the time, but I never did in private practice. I think government work uses it more. It is a very expensive package and many firms just don’t want to pay the price. When I was at G&O , only the main office had the software. They could export the data into ACAD files as needed. I did not know it at all when I started this position.…[Read more]

That link is great. The photos are incredible. We could have a discussion on each.The prison photos are interesting.
I really like to see the layouts from the air.

You can also “see” the desert and how these communites have been dropped in.

As an FYI, we did a study of license exams a few years ago in my office and it turns out the PE exam is all multiple choice. No drawing. It probably explains why engineers can’t grade 🙂

It depends on what employment track you are planning on taking. For Office/Municipal I would recommend an AICP cert. For design/build I would go more construction certification/project manager. Certified Playground designer is also good for somethings. I have seen little value in LEED for design/build or municipal works. Maybe more in private…[Read more]

Interesting topic. IMHO maintenance needs are many times minimized in the idea of the grand concept. This project shows that maintenance is an integral part of the design. I don’t know much about this project itself. Is the idea that the becomes naturalized as it appears to be doing? If so that would seem to lose the impact of the “waves”

If n…[Read more]

This is a profession filled with a lot of soft lines. If paying for the review gives and opportunity for your test to be rescored and increases the possibility of success, then by all means invest in it. Don’t take the score as gospel and look to any avenue you can to pass. Once it is finished, no one will ever care how it was accomplished.

PS.…[Read more]

I have never heard of these programs. Just remember that not all places hiring LA’s do all of the fancy modeling. We have 7 LA’s in my office(municipal work) and we almost never 3d model. We frankly don’t have the time to invest in it or the money to purchase it. In our world a strong knowledge of the standards, ACAD, GIS And ADOBE products, is a…[Read more]

Microstation. Ugh. I had to learn that at an engineering firm. Hated it. Any program designed by and for road engineers, is just not a good fit for me!

I think this goes without saying.

What does section A cover?

Ditto on the National Building Museum. a great visit and you can see the National Police Memorial located just across the street.

Reston has an urban town center, but it is not new urbanist by definition. It is still a nice visit though.

Replying before reading is also lazy. Synthetic turf utilization addresses certain use and need issues for some users. It is not an end all be all. Read and learn and lead the way .

Heat is a concern on Sythetic Turf fields. It has been suggested by some manufacturers to install irrigation systems for cooling. Our agency is not doing that at this time.