Congratulations to the class of 2023 landscape architecture graduates! ASLA is here throughout your career to help you develop and thrive. As you transition from emerging professionals to professional landscape architects, ASLA offers numerous resources to get you there such as mentorships, LARE prep materials and workshops, online education and professional development, and of course the annual ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture that offers special discounts for Students and Associates.

Connecting with local ASLA chapters is also an excellent resource for new graduates as they enter the profession – offering networking events and leadership opportunities that help you throughout your career. ASLA membership provides an instant connection with landscape architecture professionals from a variety of practice settings and experience and the local chapter provides the place to gather.

The Washington (WA ASLA) chapter is a great example. The chapter’s Student & Emerging Professionals Committee welcomes and engages those new to the profession by providing the opportunity to develop leadership skills and provide an avenue for input on the chapter’s activities. The committee organizes events like the WA ASLA Trivia Night; it’s a fun way to test everyone’s landscape architecture-relevant knowledge, asking questions that range from landscape history to LARE, and serves as a great way to network between firms and interact with chapter sponsors.

Open Studio Socials bring members, chapter sponsors and local firms together to host a happy hour event at a firm’s office space. Open Studio Socials are open to everyone, it’s a great way to get a glimpse into the host firm’s culture and allows for networking within the local landscape architecture community.

Another way WA ASLA engages Associate Members is through a scholarship exclusively for emerging professionals to attend the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture. To apply for the scholarship, emerging professionals write a brief essay. The Executive Committee and Student & Emerging Professionals Committee decide which two applicants receive the award.

Find out what your local chapter is doing! New graduates are encouraged to reach out to their chapter to get involved locally. Each chapter has similar programs to the WA ASLA’s mentioned above - connect and find the resources to succeed.