The career of a landscape architect requires the use of many job
characteristics. Many personal qualifications and qualities are
required to become a landscape architect. Creative ability,
appreciation of nature, talent in art and design, and the ability to
work in detail are important. Business ability is necessary for those
who intend to open their own landscape architectural firms (VGM 241).
Other helpful qualities for landscape architects include such things as
an enjoyment in working with their hands, good communication skills, an
ability to get along well with others, and problem solving skills
(Discover 4).
Physically, the career of a landscape architect is not very demanding.
Physical demands of a landscape architect include reaching, handling,
talking, hearing, close vision, depth perception, and adjustment to
darkness (Discover 5). Like any other job, landscape architecture has
it^?s advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of being a landscape
architect are working indoors and outdoors, traveling, working on a
variety of projects, and good employment opportunities. Some
disadvantages include having to keep redoing plans, working with a
limited budget, working overtime to meet projected deadlines, and
dealing with difficult or demanding clients (5).
Landscape architects usually work for firms that provide landscape
architecture services and other architectural firms (Discover 2). They
may also work for federal, state, and local governments or they may also
be self-employed. Landscape architects spend most of their time indoors
in offices. The remainder of their time is spent outdoors at the
sites. Those who work in large firms may spend more time out of the
office because of travel to sites outside the local area. Salaried
employees in this field usually work a 40 hour week; self employed
landscape architects often work much longer hours (VGM 240).
Landscape architectural salaries vary depending on the years of
experience, geographical location and type of position (Schauman 2).
The Economic Research Institute reported that the average starting
salary was $22,500 in 1996 for a landscape architect. The average
salary was $40,500 for all workers in this field and $54,500 for those
with experience (Discover 4). According to the US Department of Labor,
average annual salaries for landscape architects with the federal
government were $47,000 in 1994. Workers with master^?s degrees start at
about $27,000 (4). A landscape architect^?s fringe benefits will vary
depending upon whether they are employed by a firm or if they are self
employed.
The job market for landscape architects is large but is expecting to
increase. Most landscape architects are self-employed or work for
architectural, landscape architectural, or engineering firms (VGM 240).
State and local government agencies employ landscape architects for
forest management; water storage; public housing, city planning, and
urban renewal projects; highways, parks, and recreation areas. The
federal government employs them in the Departments of Agriculture,
Defense, and Interior. A few are employed by landscape contractors.
Landscape architects work throughout the United States, but most job
opportunities exist in areas with favorable weather conditions, such as
Florida, California, and Texas (240).
The outlook for the landscape architectural field is for rapid growth
in this field through the year 2000, although any periods of downturn in
the construction industry could cause temporary slow periods (VGM 241).
There are about 19,000 practicing professional landscape architects.
City and regional planning programs, interest in environmental
protection, and the growth of transportation systems and recreational
areas will contribute to the demand for qualified landscape architects,
as will the general growth in population. Landscape architects usually
advance by moving to a larger firm, by becoming associates in their
firm, or by opening their own business The landscape architectural field
is expected to grow by 17% through the year 2005 in response to new
construction and a growing commitment to environmental planning and
historical preservation (Discover 5).
To become a landscape architect, a person must be completely qualified
in the field. The career of a landscape architect demands extensive
schooling. Schools with architectural or landscape architectural are
located all over the country. Forty-seven colleges offer bachelor^?s
degree programs in landscape architecture that are approved by the
American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA-Colleges). Some
colleges of interest are the University of Arizona, the University of
Michigan, the University of Minnesota, and Purdue University. Landscape
architects usually require a bachelor^?s or master^?s degree in landscape
architecture for entry into the profession (Discover 3). The bachelor^?s
degree usually takes four to five years to complete and the master^?s
usually takes another two years. Courses that are taken in college for
the preparation of landscape architecture are anything related to
advanced mathematics, botany, and horticulture (ASLA). Special expenses
of the education would be things such as books and special tools.
College entrance requirements for landscape architects are the same as
any other major since the starting courses are basic.
Practically all states require landscape architects to be licensed
(Discover 3). Licensing is based on the Landscape Architecture
Registration Examination, sponsored by the Council of Landscape
Architecture Registration Boards. Admission to the examination usually
requires a degree from an accredited school, plus one to four years of
work experience. Applicants are tested on all aspects of landscape
architecture (3).
Landscape architecture is a very diverse and rewarding profession.
Although extensive schooling is required, the advantages of this career
outweigh the disadvantages. Landscape architects are individuals who
design and produce a better environment that appeals to the public.
69d
American Society of Landscape Architects. Accredited Programs in
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^?Landscape Architecture.^? Discover. Hunt Valley, MD: American College
Testing, 1996.
^?Landscape Architecture.^? Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1996 ed.
Microsoft Corporation, 1993-1995.
^?Landscape Architecture.^? VGM^?s Careers Encyclopedia. Third Edition.
Lincolnwood, Illinois: VGM Career Horizons. 1991. 240-241.
Schauman, Sally. ^?Landscape Architecture.^? ASLA Council on Education.
Washington, DC: 1997.