With large populations and heavy commuter traffic in American cities, it's more important than ever to keep our metropolises from turning into concrete jungles. Landscape architects create the parks and open spaces that keep our built environment vibrant and green. Whether designing a corporate campus, a small-town playground, a national monument, or college campus, landscape architects design outdoor spaces so that they are not only easy to use but also harmonize with the natural environment. Keeping their clients' priorities first, landscape architects also need to consider the community and the climate. Landscape architects are the center of a team, turning clients' requests into design proposals and leading workers who put the design on the ground. While most work full time, they split their days between the office, meetings with clients, and trips to suppliers and jobsites. Landscape architects need problem solving and analytical skills to lead sometimes complex projects. Extensive knowledge of materials and how they behave in different circumstances is essential, along with drafting and design skills, including design software. A bachelor's degree in landscape architecture is needed to enter the field, and almost all states require licensure. Landscape architects play a big role in keeping our environment attractive... and livable.
What they do:
Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
On the job, you would:
Prepare graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
Engineering and Technology
design
building and construction
Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Arts and Humanities
English language
music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture
Business
customer service
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
create new and original ideas
group things in different ways
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Integrity
Adaptability/Flexibility
Cooperation
Initiative
You might use software like this on the job:
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
bachelor's degree or master's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force or Navy.
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