What drove you to choose your career path?
I was born, raised, schooled, and corn bread fed in Kansas.
As a kid my toy arsenal included LEGO, Lincoln Logs, G.I.
Joes, He-Man, etc.
From these tools many elaborate structures and forts were built with epic battles ensuing.
The biological nature of a “landscape” being alive was, and still is, poetic to me.
How did you go about getting your job?
What kind of education and experience did you need?
KSU’s program offers a semester long study abroad or internship program.
The steps of becoming a professional landscape architect are similar to architecture.
There are minor differences between each state, but overall the process is consistent.
The laborious process and licensure is setup to protect the public’s welfare and our industry.
Step 1- Attend and graduate from accredited college of architecturethis means the curriculum meets specific metrics and hours.
Step 2- Work a specific number of professional hours for exam eligibility2-3 years.
Step 3- Pass licensure exams (+/- five, depending on state).
Licensure exams are tough and expensive.
Step 4- Frame license.
Step 5- Brag to non-building industry friends you now have a license to shrub.
What kinds of things do you do beyond what people see?
What do you spend the majority of your time doing?
Part of this is true and you could definitely get pigeon-holed.
As Ned Stark once quipped, “One does not simply draw a paving joint.”
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
Insider information reveals many landscape architects are not plant experts (including myself).
I usually describe landscape architecture as “area development.”
As noted in the previous question, our work and skill sets are expansive and diverse.
I believe our architectural skill sets translate across many different industries.
What are your average work hours?
As stressful as long work weeks can be, they can also be the most rewarding.
Personally I enjoy the fast paceeven though I get totally turned-upside-down stressed.
Pictured:Brea Sports Park, photo by LPA Inc. and Costea Photography.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
IT -Our in-house IT is license to ill. Documenting processes (step by step) is handy in passing along to others when training.
Another recent program that has been revolutionary to my productivityBluebeam Revu.
I sometimes think CAD wishes it was BB.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
What do they do instead?
Our mindsets influence our designs which in turn are reflected on the product users.
We adapt to and become our surroundings.
Our landscape studio and UDS team influences me every day.
Gus, our fearless leader, is also a world class mentor who I learn something from every day.
Danielle’s progressive creativity challenges my brain to move in different directions.
Pictured:Park Place, photo by LPA Inc. and Costea Photography.
What’s the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
I think most would agreestress.
We put work flow schedules together (weekly, monthly, etc.)
but many days a fire ignites and blows it all up.
Construction administration is probably the most stressful as there are so many project variables that ultimately something unforeseen happens.
Solutions are required immediately, all with potential cost impacts.
That said, it is rewarding making decisions under the gun and seeing them immediately implemented.
What’s the most enjoyable part of the job?
Observing your project being constructed and then physically experiencing the final product are truly satisfying experiences.
It’s a great learning experience seeing what worked and what did not.
Projects are complex animals and I will always find wonder in how they come together.
On par with experiencing the final product are experiencing the people.
Because our industry is so interconnected and localized you often find your next opportunity through those relationships.
Pictured:Coastline Community College, photo by LPA Inc. and Costea Photography.
Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?
Become educated about your own landscape.
Discover what pop in of soil you have by using a soil testing kit.
Take notice of what areas receive sun or shade and understand your local micro-climate.
Realize that good design is not a cheap commodity, nor are the costs of that landscape being built.
A single tree can cost thousands of dollars.
Also, “native” and “drought tolerant” landscaping are usually two different things.
Most people actually want drought tolerant as it is more encompassing and includes neato plants like succulents!
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
Free coffee is always appreciated too!
Some will say this is oversimplified and they may be right.
Personal diatribea previous office had a kitchen that began to look like “The Pit.”
Did I mention I love cleaning and defeating all things grimy?
Anyways, that owner always acknowledged (even during reviews) I was the one who tamed his kitchen.
Small things matter as you never know who is watching.
Hard work altruism aside, the easiest way to “move up” is to change firms.
What do your customers under/over value?
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Bret and his team at LPA Inc.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
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