How Do I Become A Landscape Architect?

Being a landscape architect can be a very fulfilling career for those who love the outdoors. From creating entire exterior layouts for homes to trimming large trees, you can have a very active role in the creation of a home’s outdoor look. Being a landscape architect gives you the opportunity to add a stylish touch to a person’s yard. You may decide to open your own landscaping business, or you may decide to work for a contractual company. There are plenty of options that you have when you decide to become a landscape architect. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a landscape architect?” When you want to become a landscape architect, it is important for you to gain as much as experience as possible in designing outdoor layouts.

What’s it like to be a landscape architect?

When you are a landscape architect, you will likely have multiple appointments to make in a given day. You will have to travel to the homes of all of your clients. You may need to install a tree fixture or plant new bushes within a client’s yard. A client may simply want to meet with you to discuss all of the ways to improve his or her yard. A client will meet with you so that you can provide your input about the exterior design of the client’s yard. The client will want you to figure out new ways to create a beautiful design for his or her yard. You may also need to offer your advice about taking care of bushes and other hedges in the yard. It is the task of a landscape architect to inform clients about the care-taking measures that will be required when they decide to plant new trees and bushes in their yards.

Education Requirements

To thrive as a landscape architect, one should obtain the necessary education. One should obtain a degree in landscape architecture from a local college. One may also want to study horticulture and other plant studies in college. A business background can also prove to be incredibly helpful for individuals who want to become landscape architects. When an individual has a business background, he or she will be able to thrive in owning a landscape company. One may be able to do all of the accounting measures for his or her landscape company when a person has a degree in business. There may also be seminar series that are conducted by local landscape professionals. These sorts of seminar series can be very helpful for informing architects about all of the ways that they can improve their businesses in the local community. A landscape architect may also be able to learn new tips to apply during his or her visits to clients.

Salary & How to Get a Job

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the starting salary for a landscape architect is about $68,000 a year. To get a job as a landscape architect, one should try to apply for jobs at all of the local landscaping companies. One should also speak with investors in the local community if he or she is interested in opening his or her own landscaping company. This can provide a landscape architect with the opportunity to gain new clients in the community too.

References
1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Architecture-and-Engineering/Landscape-architects.htm