Many people’s appreciation for the outdoors may be traced back to the work of landscape architects. In order to begin actively creating visually stunning outdoor designs, these specialists must first achieve specific standards. Learning about the specific duties and requirements of a landscape architect might help you decide whether this is a career path you want to pursue.
Creating beautiful landscapes for people to enjoy is the focus of landscape architects. As a veteran, you may be able to use your GI Bill to further your education in this field. This piece will explain how you may use your Veterans Administration education funds to pursue a career as a landscape architect.
What Is Landscape Architecture?
A landscape architect is someone who plans outdoor public spaces including parks, gardens, playgrounds, lawns, campuses, and similar open areas in the natural environment. While architects like Frank Lloyd Wright are lauded for their ability to incorporate their buildings into their environments, the work of a landscape architect has a far more immediate impact on the natural world.
Here, you get to plan out the path taken by nature
A landscape architect is someone who plans outdoor public spaces including parks, gardens, playgrounds, lawns, campuses, and similar open areas in the natural environment. While architects like Frank Lloyd Wright are lauded for their ability to incorporate their buildings into their environments, the work of a landscape architect has a far more immediate impact on the natural world.
The Role of a Landscape Architect
Landscape architects blend the built and natural worlds to foster biodiversity, foster creativity, and foster resilient communities. Landscape architects employ design, technical skills, management, ecology, problem solving, and creativity across a wide variety of projects and duties in both urban and rural settings.
Landscape architecture encompasses several subfields, the most prominent of which being design, planning, management, urban planning, and academics. Professional landscape architects have the training and education to produce innovative solutions for our built and natural surroundings by fusing art and design and taking into account physical, social, economic, political, and cultural elements.
Design, geography, engineering, science, art, landscaping, technology, social sciences, political science, history, philosophy, project management, contract law, and other interdisciplinary specializations are all necessary.
Single-family and multi-family residential areas, public parks, playgrounds, university and government campuses, shopping centers, golf courses, waterways, public gardens, roads and highways, and industrial parks are just some of the places that landscape architects might be hired to plan, design, and manage projects for. Expert witnessing, natural resource management, park and animal preservation, city revitalization, and streetscape design are all further areas of expertise.
A career in landscape architecture is worthwhile because of the field’s contributions to society and the environment, as well as its emphasis on inventiveness and aesthetics.
Salary of a Landscape Architect
Landscape architects’ pay, like that of other professionals, can vary by region, years of experience, and employer. The BLS reports that by May of 2020, landscape architects were making a median annual salary of $73,160. In terms of income, the lowest 10% made less than $44,910, while the wealthiest 10% made more than $115,150. Here you may find more salary details.
Those who perform landscape architecture in private industry typically make less money than their government agency counterparts. Salary potential also increases with education and work experience. Landscape architects working on residential projects may earn less than those working on commercial or institutional projects.
Common Services Provided by Landscape Architects
Parks, gardens, college campuses, and neighborhood neighborhoods all benefit from the expertise of landscape architects. They collaborate with private citizens, commercial enterprises, and government entities to design landscapes that are both environmentally responsible and visually beautiful. Among the many things landscape architects may do for you are:
Landscape architects take into account the site’s temperature, soil, geography, and existing plants before beginning a project.
Landscape architects conduct site analyses to inform their design and planning processes, which result in landscapes that are both environmentally responsible and safe for the public.
Construction Administration Landscape architects are in charge of seeing that all outdoor areas are built according to plan and on schedule without going over budget.
In addition to designing and constructing outdoor areas, landscape architects also offer maintenance and management services to keep them in top shape.
Compensation for Landscape Designers
The BLS reports that by May of 2020, landscape architects were making a median annual salary of $73,160. Earnings ranged from $43,450 for the lowest 10% to over $113,340 for the richest 10%.
What skills do landscape architects need to be successful in their positions?
To be successful in their field, landscape architects require a wide range of abilities. The majority of landscape architects need to have the following skills:
Competence in analysis:
To fully comprehend how their designs will effect specific areas, landscape architects must do thorough site analyses. A drainage system, for instance, needs to be planned such that it won’t flood an adjacent structure.
Abilities with Technology:
To do their jobs well, these experts rely heavily on their proficiency with various computer tools, such as CAD and drawing software.
Creativity:
Landscape architects are responsible for the aesthetic and practical design of a wide variety of outdoor environments.
The ability to communicate:
Landscape architects must effectively convey their vision to customers, fellow designers, and construction crew members. To make sure their plan is carried out as intended, they must express it both orally and in writing.
Where Does a Landscape Architect Work?
The government, councils, developers, contractors, significant landowners, and local authorities all use landscape architects. The scope of a project might range from the immediate vicinity to the whole metropolitan area.
Office, studio, and field work are all part of a landscape architect’s day. Although much of their time is spent in an office, landscape architects often travel to meet with customers and survey locations in order to collect data on factors such as soil composition, current vegetation, and topography. Landscape architects usually work during normal business hours, however this might change if they are working under a tight deadline. In addition to working with clients, other architects, engineers, community members, and contractors, landscape architects frequently work in teams.
Steps to becoming a landscape architect
Here’s what you need to do to enter the field of landscape architecture:
To become a landscape architect, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree. You may become a landscape architect with either a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) or a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) from a four-year college or university. Verify if the program has been recognized by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board and is accredited to offer the degree.
Landscape architects study topics including landscape ecology, site planning, and landscaping and building. Classes on plant and soil science, professional practice, and the history of landscape architecture are all possibilities.
Model making, CAD (computer aided design), and other valuable applications are regularly included into student projects. It usually takes four or five years to finish this degree.
Obtaining a landscape architect’s license often necessitates doing an internship first. You can work as a trainee or intern landscape architect either while still in school and doing an internship, or after graduating and entering the workforce.
You will gain valuable experience in the field while interning with a professional landscape architect. You’ll learn about the nuts and bolts of landscape architecture, such as sticking to a budget, finding new customers, and setting reasonable rates. Depending on the firm’s size and focus, each intern landscape architect may be responsible for a wide variety of projects.
A landscape architect’s license is mandatory in the majority of states. The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards manages the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) that would-be landscape architects must take. A degree from an approved institution and an internship under the supervision of a professional landscape architect are prerequisites for taking the test.
The examination requirements are different in each state. Some states may need special tests to prove proficiency in areas like earthquake safety in California or hurricane preparedness in Florida.
To further your grasp of landscape design, philosophy, and history, you can think about pursuing a master’s degree in landscape architecture. It is not necessary to have a master’s degree in landscape architecture to work in this field, although having one can raise your earning potential and job prospects.
This master’s program welcomes students with or without a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a different field, you will still need to take additional classes to earn your master’s degree in that field.
A bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture shortens the time it takes to complete the curriculum from three to two years. Students enrolled in this program have the option of specializing in either historic preservation or urban design.
Joining a professional association for landscape architects can help you meet other people in the field and establish yourself as an authority in the field. Among these groups are:
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national organization that speaks for the profession of landscape design in the United States, with a focus on education, research, and professional development. The organization provides landscape architects with CEUs to help them keep their licenses current.
The Council of Educators in Landscape design (CELA) hosts yearly conferences, publications, and regional events to facilitate dialogue and networking among professionals, academics, and students in the field of landscape design.
Using your VA education benefit to pursue a career in landscape architecture
In order to become a sheet metal worker, veterans can take advantage of the following VA educational benefits:
Post-9/11 GI Bil:
Veterans who served after September 10, 2001, may be eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which helps pay for higher education and vocational programs. This benefit may be used to pay for room and board, books, and other school necessities in addition to the cost of tuition and fees. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be used by veterans to enroll in an apprenticeship program, earn a certificate, or earn a degree in sheet metal work.
VR&E Program (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) :
Veterans with impairments as a result of their military service are eligible for treatment via the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program. Those in need of help finding work or furthering their education may be eligible for financial assistance through this program. The VR&E program allows veterans to obtain financial aid for schooling and job placement services related to sheet metal work.
Apprenticeship Programs:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes a number of apprenticeship programs that give on-the-job training and instruction to veterans in the field of sheet metal work. Sheet metal manufacturing, installation, and repair training programs generally span between four and five years and incorporate classroom learning with practical practice. While enrolled in a VA-approved apprenticeship program, veterans are eligible to earn a monthly stipend from the VA.
Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program:
Veterans who are utilizing their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to enroll in a degree or certification program in sheet metal work may be eligible for additional financial aid through the Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program. If the GI Bill only pays a portion of your tuition and fees, this program may be able to help.
Concluding Remarks
Veterans can make greater progress toward their goal of becoming licensed landscape architects by taking advantage of VA educational perks. You may prove your worth as a skilled and competent practitioner in the area of landscape architecture by completing the necessary procedures, such as earning a degree, accumulating job experience, taking the LARE, and being licensed. You may get started with VA educational benefits by submitting an application for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, VR&E, or National Call to Service Program. Also, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) requires a background check as part of the licensing process. If you put in the time and effort, you can become a respected landscape architect.
