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
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 If
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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