How to Be a Landscape Architect

By Eric Hammer

So you want to know how to be a landscape architect, huh? The job is one that fascinates many people because it combines a number of different disciplines and allows you to really get into working with nature. It is also a perfect job for anyone who enjoys working with their hands and who wants to make the planet a more beautiful place to live.

Of course, if you want to learn how to be a landscape architect, you'll also need to learn to work with people and to be a good communicator. You'll need to be able to explain your vision for an area to your clients so that they can feel confident that they are getting exactly what they want. At the same time, you need to be able to listen carefully to what your clients are saying and make sure that they get the kind of landscaping job they actually want to get.

How Much Can You Make?

According to the bureau of labor statistics, the average salary for a landscape architect was approximately $64,000 per year in 2008.

Ways to Make More | Related Opportunities | Tips

LandscapingIf you love the idea of working in nature but you don't want to learn how to be a landscape architect, you could also work in a number of other related fields. For example, you could be an urban planner or a regional planner, who plans cities. Or you could learn to be a general architect or a wildlife conservationist.

In all cases though, you need to be prepared to work outside and to work very long hours. Anyone who wants to know how to be a landscape architect needs to be willing to work weekends and outdoors on a regular basis. While the job ordinarily involves working 9-5, you need to be prepared to work to a deadline and to get the job done when it needs to be done, even if that means working late or on the weekends.

Qualifications / Requirements

Generally, you'll learn how to be a landscape architect when you go to college and earn your degree in landscape architecture. You'll also need to arrange to get licensed by your state (all but five states have licensing requirements) before you can work in this field.

First Steps

Start by taking a job working for a professional, licensed landscape architect. Learn the business and get used to working outdoors on a regular basis. See if you really enjoy it. If you do, you can go back to school and earn your bachelor's degree in landscape architecture.

Resources

Check out this helpful resource to learn about how to be a landscape architect:

The Princeton Review: Landscape Architect - A more specific look at a day in the life of a landscape architect.


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Every Way to Make Money | How to Be a Landscape Architect