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FACTOIDS:
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• Four out of 10 landscape architects are self-employed -- four times the ratio for all professionals.
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• Frederick Law Olmsted, the "father of landscape architecture in America," designed New York's Central Park.
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• In 1999, 58 colleges and universities offered 75 undergraduate and graduate programs that were accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board.
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- Landscape architects are responsible for designing parks, residential areas, courtyards and other outdoor areas. They consider aesthetics while working within nature’s limits.
- They often work closely with architects and environmental scientists for planning buildings' layouts, roads and conserving natural resources.
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- Computer-aided design (CAD) has become an essential tool for preparing designs.
- Landscape Architects need to be able to analyze multiple elements -- from aesthetics to nature’s boundaries -- and come up with a solution that fits all necessary requirements. They must understand site development issue, e.g., earthwork, storm drainage, run-off ponds.
- A landscape architect must be detail oriented. You must be able to address all of the small issues that make the big picture.
- People thinking of a career in landscape architecture should enjoy nature, and have creative visions and artistic talent, and possess strong analytical skills.
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- A bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture is usually necessary for most entry-level positions, though a master’s is the degree of choice.
- Forty-six states require landscape architects to be licensed or registered. A license is received by passing the Landscape Architect Registration Examination. Seventeen states require an additional examination to satisfy registration requirements.
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- Employment in the private sector is expected to increase as fast as the average for all occupations through 2008. Due to budget tightening within the government, hiring in state parks and federal agencies is going to be restricted for the near future.
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Sources: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics
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